The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) starts the racing season for 2024 with the 10th anniversary edition of the RORC Transatlantic Race, starting from Lanzarote on the 7th January 2024. 

The RORC Race Team have set up in Marina Lanzarote before the start, carrying out safety inspections and assisting all the teams with their preparations for the race.

“The RORC Transatlantic Race is a World Sailing Offshore Special Regulations Category One Race,” commented RORC Racing Manager Steve Cole. “All of the competing boats and crew will need to comply with the requirements of the race and the RORC Race Team will carry out pre-race inspections. Safety at sea always comes first in any RORC Race; we know the calibre of this fleet and we are not expecting any big issues. However, the checklists and the dialogue with the teams is a great way to pinpoint any matters that need to be addressed, and also gives the RORC valuable feedback about Special Regulations for the future.”

The official entry list boasts 22 teams flying the flags of eight different nations, crewed by sailors from 20 different countries. France has the most admissions with eight boats and 43 French nationals racing in the RORC fleet. Entries are also in from Austria, Great Britain, Germany, Monaco, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United States of America.

2024 Entries & Expressions of Interest are here

The Famous Project's Limosa, helmed by Alexia Barrier, will be one of the three MOD70s lining up at the start of the RORC Transatlantic Race Photo: Marie Cortial

Four Multihulls will be in contention for race honours with three MOD70s as favourites for Multihull Line Honours. Erik Maris’ Zoulou (FRA), Jason Carroll’s Argo (USA), and Alexia Barrier’s Limosa (FRA) will fight for the accolade of being the first to finish the race. The trio of MOD70s will have one eye on the Multihull Race Record of 05 days 05 hrs 46 mins 26 secs, set last year by Giovanni Soldini’s Maserati Multi70 (ITA). Adrian Keller's Nigel Irens-designed 84ft catamaran Allegra (SUI) is the largest multihull in the race and favourite for the MOCRA Class after time correction. Allegra has won the MOCRA Class for the last two editions of the Rolex Fastnet Race, and twice for the RORC Caribbean 600.

Jason Carroll’s MOD70 Argo (USA) Photo: Carlo Borlenghi

Erik Maris’ MOD70 Zoulou (FRA) Photo: James Tomlinson

Adrian Keller's Nigel Irens-designed 84ft catamaran Allegra (SUI) is the largest multihull in the race Photo: Arthur Daniel

Six Maxi yachts will be vying for the overall win under IRC and the IMA Transatlantic Trophy for the first Maxi to finish the race. The Farr 100 Leopard 3 (MON), skippered by Chris Sherlock is the favourite to take Monohull Line Honours. Given the right conditions, Leopard 3 can threaten the Monohull Race Record set by Comanche in 2022 of 07 Days 22 hrs 01 min 04. Returning to the race is Jean-Pierre Dreau’s Mylius 60 Lady First III (FRA) which is the holder of the Yacht Club de France Trophy. The Bill Trip designed Swan 78 Valkyrie (FRA), sailed by Hubert Wargny will be competing for the second time, having completed the race in 2015 in an elapsed time of 12 days 07 hours 54 mins 03 secs.

Jean-Pierre Dreau’s Mylius 60 Lady First III (FRA) Photo: Arthur Daniel

Swan 78 Valkyrie (FRA), sailed by Hubert Wargny Photo: Arthur Daniel

Farr 100 Leopard 3 (MON), skippered by Chris Sherlock

Three round the world racing yachts will be competing this year, Johannes Schwarz has entered two former Volvo 70s. The Reichel Pugh 70 Green Dragon (NED) will be skippered by Benedikt Clauberg, and Johannes Schwarz will skipper his 70ft Farr design Ocean Breeze (NED). The trio of round the world racing yachts is completed by the VO65 Sisi (AUT) skippered by Oliver Kobale. All three boats have pro-am crews with a melting pot of sailors from all over the world.

From France and the USA, four yachts between 50 and 60ft (15.24m-18.29m) will be competing. The largest of this group is Bernard Giroux’s Cannes-based Solaris 55 TEAM 42 (FRA), co-skippered by Dan Segalowicz. The highest IRC rating of the group is Chris Sheehan’s PAC52 Warrior Won (USA), which was third overall in the 2023 Rolex Fastnet Race and won the 2022 RORC Caribbean 600. Collin Mulry will skipper Mikhail Malamud’s ClubSwan 50 Pimu (USA). Jean-Francois Guillon’s Solaris 50 Sea-Nergy (FRA) is from the Société Nautique de Marseille.

Two Class40s of similar performance will be racing to Grenada in a duel for the Class40 title. The Ker designed Concise 8 (FRA) is now under the ownership of Charles de Coquet, with Briton Guy Waites as co-skipper. Marc Lepesqueux’s Sensation Extreme (FRA) is designed by Sabrosa Rain and he has competed in two previous editions in an earlier design, including the very first race in 2014. Both Class40s intend to compete in the 2023 RORC Caribbean 600.

Reichel Pugh 70 Green Dragon (NED) will be skippered by Benedikt Clauberg Photo: James Mitchell

Chris Sheehan’s PAC52 Warrior Won (USA) Photo: Robert Hajduk

Johannes Schwarz will skipper his 70ft Farr design Ocean Breeze (NED) Photo: Robert Hajduk

Third RORC Transat for Marc Lepesqueux - this year with his Class40 Sensation Extreme (FRA) Photo: Orlando Romain

Six teams under 50ft (15.24m) will be racing, and while they have little or no chance of taking Line Honours, the overall winner of the RORC Transatlantic Race is decided by IRC time correction. All of the smaller entries have an equal chance of lifting the RORC Transatlantic Race Trophy and two boats under 50ft have won overall in the past. The largest of this group is Hanno Ziehm’s Marten 49 Moana (GER), the smallest is Gavin Howe’s Sun Fast 3600 Tigris (GBR), which will be raced double-handed with Maggie Adamson.

Andrew & Sam Hall’s Lombard 46 Pata Negra (GBR) won IRC One in 2023 and was second overall in 2019. New to the race is the J/122 Moana (NED) sailed by Michelle Witsenburg and Frans van Cappelle. The J/122 Moana was second in class in the 2023 Rolex Middle Sea Race. Two JPK 1180s will be in action; Ed Bell’s Dawn Treader (GBR) was the winner of IRC One for the 2023 RORC Season’s Points Championship, and the highly experienced Richard Fromentin will race his JPK 1180 Cocody (FRA).

Gavin Howe will be racing Two-Handed with Maggie Adamson in his Sun Fast 3600 Tigris (GBR) Photo: Paul Wyeth

Andrew & Sam Hall’s Lombard 46 Pata Negra (GBR) Photo: Arthur Daniel

Ed Bell’s JPK 1180 Dawn Treader (GBR) Photo: Kurt Arrigo

A full programme of social events in Lanzarote starts on the 3rd of January with the Welcome Cocktail Party at Karma Rooftop, Marina Lanzarote. The 4th of January is the date for the ever popular Wine & Cheese Party held in Marina Lanzarote. A regular feature of the RORC Transatlantic Race is the Lanzarote Sailing School visit, where young local sailors can get on board the competing boats, experience the set-up of boats big and small, and meet the sailors. On the 5th of January, The RORC Transatlantic Race Gala Dinner will be held at the El Aljibe Del Obispo, a unique restaurant inside the Stratvus Winery located next to the Timanfaya National Park.

“The social events are an important part of the RORC Transatlantic Race experience; a great opportunity for all the sailors to meet each other before the race start and for the community in Lanzarote to benefit from the race,” commented RORC CEO Jeremy Wilton. “The Gala Dinner is generously provided by Calero Marinas and spectacular doesn’t do it justice; it’s the big get-together before the race, the food and the surroundings are always outstanding and every team is invited to have their team photograph before racing across the Atlantic. The Royal Ocean Racing Club wish all competitors a safe and fast RORC Transatlantic Race.”

The RORC Transatlantic Race is part of the RORC Season’s Points Championship, the world’s largest offshore racing series. For more information: www.rorctransatlantic.rorc.org

Dun Laoghaire Harbour will move centre-stage in the Royal Ocean Racing Club calendar in 2024 when the club's European IRC Championships will be held for the first time in Dún Laoghaire by the Royal Irish Yacht Club.

It will be part of RORC's Season's Points Championship, which is the world's largest offshore racing series. Last year, 9223 sailors raced in an astounding variety of 729 offshore certified boats.

RORC Season's Points Championship is the world's largest Photo: Paul Wyeth/RORC

Over the past ten editions of the RORC Season’s Points Championship, the overall winning boat has always been under 47ft (14.33m) and, more often than not, crewed by a Corinthian team. The overall winner is decided by the IRC Rating Rule, jointly administered by the RORC and the UNCL Pôle Course du YCF. The overall trophies in nearly all the world's blue riband offshore races are awarded using the IRC rating system.

The 2024 RORC Season’s Points Championship is already underway; the first points-scoring race was the Rolex Middle Sea Race held in October. Class winners for the RORC Season are decided by the best five race results over the season which ends in September 2024. The overall win for the Jazz Trophy goes to the boat with the most points from all of the scoring races.

The Season's Points Championship features high-performance multihulls racing under the MOCRA Rule

IRC time correction gives an equal chance of winning to a huge variety of boats with professional teams racing against pro-am, as well as passionate Corinthian crews. The Championship features high-performance multihulls racing under the MOCRA Rule and the pocket-rocket Class40s, which have been a feature of the Championship for over a decade. Each contest is highly competitive with trophies and races dating back over 100 years. Winning any race in the RORC Season’s Points Championship is worthy of praise and celebration.

The RORC Caribbean 600 race is an early fixture in the 2024 Season's Points Championship

The next two scoring races are the RORC Transatlantic Race and the RORC Caribbean 600. After that, all the RORC Season's Points Championship races are held in Northern Europe with the vast majority starting on the Royal Yacht Squadron Line, Cowes.

The RORC 2024 Racing Calendar is here

During 2024, the Royal Ocean Racing Club is organising or assisting with four inshore racing events. The RORC Easter Challenge, The GBR IRC National Championships, The Vice Admiral’s Cup and the IRC European Championships. All of the inshore regattas will feature multiple races per day on technical windward leeward racecourses or longer inshore races.

The RORC Easter Challenge runs from 29th – 31st March in Cowes, IOW Photo: Paul Wyeth

For over 20 years, the Royal Ocean Racing Club has held a training regatta over the Easter Weekend. World Sailing Rules on outside assistance are relaxed, so for no additional cost to the teams, hand-picked coaches can provide pin-point assistance to get crews of any level up to speed. Three days of racing are organised in The Solent from Easter Friday to Easter Sunday.

The GBR IRC Nationals will be held from the 25th – 27th May in Poole, Dorset Photo: Paul Wyeth

The GBR IRC National Championships was first held in 1999 and for the first time the championships will be held as part of International Paint Poole Regatta. Multiple races will be held in Poole Bay and adjacent waters. In over two decades of competition the overall win has been achieved by a huge variety of boats. Individual IRC Class National Champions will also be decided.

The RORC Vice Admiral’s Cup will run from 6th – 8th September and 14th -15th September at Cowes, IOW Photo: Paul Wyeth

This year the racing is split over two weekends and is being organised by RORC and the Royal Thames Yacht Club. With an accent on one-design racing the first weekend will be for the Cape31 and J/70 classes, whilst the second weekend will host the Performance 40, J/111, J/109, HP30 and Quarter ton classes. The Vice Admiral’s Cup has always featured a full social programme. The RORC Cowes Clubhouse will be regatta central for fun filled evening entertainment, especially the Prize Givings.

The IRC European Championships will run from the Royal Irish Yacht Club, Dun Laoghaire from the 10th to15th September Photo: DLRCoCo/Simon Berrow

As Afloat previously reported, the 2024 European Championships will be held for the first time in Dún Laoghaire by the Royal Irish Yacht Club. Three days of action with multiple races per day will be held in Dún Laoghaire and adjacent waters. A strong Irish presence is expected as well as teams from England, Scotland and Wales, plus likely participation from teams from all over Northern Europe. No doubt the atmosphere at the RIYC will be as charged as the racing in Dublin Bay.

The RORC Race Team of Steve Cole and Janet Grosvenor Photo: RORC

RORC Racing Manager Steve Cole and the RORC Race Team are excited about the 2024 Season. “Despite 2024 not being a ‘Fastnet Year’, the RORC Race Team are preparing and planning for a very busy season with 16 offshore races and four inshore regattas, including the IRC National and European Championships,” commented Steve Cole. “The RORC Cowes Clubhouse is undergoing a major redevelopment this winter and unfortunately will not be ready for the Easter Challenge. However, thanks to the support of the Royal Yacht Squadron, the post-race debriefings will take place in the RYS pavilion. Once the RORC Clubhouse and its purpose-designed building is ready, it will also become home to the RORC Race Office, as well as a superb venue for Club Members and their guests to enjoy social events. The RORC has always co-operated with other yacht clubs and we will be giving full support to the championship regattas in Poole and Dublin.”

Members of the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) have elected Dr Deborah Fish, OBE, as the new Commodore of the London and Cowes-based Club with effect from 1st January 2024.

She will take up the prestigious role from James Neville. Richard Palmer will take up the role of Vice Commodore from Eric de Turckheim, and Andrew Tseng and Joe Lacey will become Rear Commodores.

Under James and Eric’s leadership, RORC has further strengthened its position as a global leader in offshore racing, successfully introducing the RORC Nelson’s Cup series in Antigua and the new 635nm Roschier Baltic Sea Race. They have also set the foundations for the return of the Admiral’s Cup in 2025, as well as initiating the exciting redevelopment of its Cowes Clubhouse. Both have enjoyed tremendous racing success during their tenure. Eric de Turckheim’s Teasing Machine was awarded 2023 RORC Yacht of the Year after overall wins in the Rolex Middle Sea Race and RORC Transatlantic Race. James Neville’s INO XXX enjoyed many victories and was second overall in the 2021 Rolex Fastnet Race; the best result for a Commodore in office since John Illingworth’s Myth of Malham won the Fastnet Race in 1949.

Deb is the first woman to be elected Commodore of the Royal Ocean Racing Club, which will celebrate its centenary in 2025. She has been very active in her role as a Rear Commodore, chairing the Membership Committee and championing youth sailing through her leadership of RORC’s Griffin initiative. Deb also has a strong offshore racing background having raced with the RORC since 1999 and completed the Rolex Fastnet Yacht Race 11 times. Deb and Rob Craigie sailed Bellino, Rob’s Sun Fast 3600, double handed to overall victory in the 2023 RORC Season’s Points Championship. This was the first time Bellino has won the RORC Championship overall after coming third in 2022 and second in 2019.

Wicklow Sailing Club's Kyran O'Grady flew the flag for the 2024 Round Ireland Race at last weekend's 2023 Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) Annual Dinner and Prize Giving at the London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square, London.

O'Grady was able to brief some key campaigns planning to compete in what is the second-longest race in the RORC calendar.

As Afloat reported previously, Wicklow Sailing Club aims for 70 boats for Ireland's premier offshore sailing event on 22nd June and attracting top UK boats is part of an important mix for Wicklow's international fleet.

Celebrating an impressive season of RORC racing, more than 250 guests enjoyed a cocktail reception and gourmet dinner at the five-star hotel in Mayfair.

The 2023 RORC Season's Points Championship featured 15 offshore races held in nine different countries. The exciting programme included the Rolex Middle Sea Race, the RORC Transatlantic Race, the RORC Caribbean 600, and the cornerstone of the Royal Ocean Racing Club, the Rolex Fastnet Race, celebrating its 50th edition.

2023 IRC Overall RORC Season's Points Championship winner:
Rob Craigie's Sun Fast 3600 Bellino (GBR)

RORC Yacht of the Year
Eric de Turckheim's NMD 54 Teasing Machine (FRA)

IRC Super Zero - I Love Poland (POL)
IRC Zero - Teasing Machine (FRA)
IRC One – Dawn Treader (GBR)
IRC Two - Scarlet Oyster (GBR)
IRC Two-Handed and IRC Three - Cora (GBR)
IRC Four – With Alacrity (GBR)
MOCRA Multihull – MOD70 Zoulou (FRA)
Class40 - The 3 Bros (FRA)

Special Awards

The Dennis P Miller Memorial Trophy for Best Overseas Yacht to Tom Kneen's Sunrise III, the Haylock Cup for Best British Service Yacht to Fujitsu British Soldier, the Arambalza Swan Cup for Best Swan to Louis Balcaen's Balthasar, the Freddie Morgan Trophy for Best Classic Yacht to Andrew Tseng's Quailo 3, the Highwayman Cup to Gavin Howe's Tigris, the Best Sailing School Yacht to Susan Glenny's Olympia's Tigress, the Peter Harrison Youth Trophy to Galahad of Cowes.

The Crew of Ju Kyu, skippered by Dr Peter Rowe, was awarded the Seamanship Trophy for an Outstanding Act of Seamanship. Shortly after the 2023 Rolex Fastnet Race start, Ju Kyu stood by a sinking yacht Vari, and assisted the emergency services and the RORC Race Committee. Once the Vari crew was safe, Ju Kyu rejoined the race and finished the Rolex Fastnet Race. Ju Kyu was given a rousing standing ovation at the Prize Giving.

The 2024 RORC Season's Points Championship has already started with the Rolex Middle Sea Race in October 2023. The 2024 Championship has notable international races including the RORC Transatlantic Race, the RORC Caribbean 600, the SSE Renewables Round Ireland, and the second edition of the Roschier Baltic Sea Race. The majority of the series is held in Northern Europe with the Myth of Malham and the Cowes Dinard St Malo being ever popular. 

Full List of Special Awards and Winners

One of offshore racing’s great adventures will return in 2025. The New York Yacht Club and the Royal Ocean Racing Club, in partnership with the Royal Yacht Squadron and the Storm Trysail Club, have announced the Transatlantic Race 2025, which will start from Newport, R.I., on June 18, 2025, and finish off Cowes, England.

The west-to-east Transatlantic Race was most recently run in 2011, 2015 and 2019. This slightly extended break has allowed the race to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the RORC as well as the next edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race and the return of the Admiral’s Cup.

“For the past few years, we have been fielding regular calls regarding the next iteration of this race,” says Commodore Paul M. Zabetakis, M.D., of the New York Yacht Club. “Crossing the Atlantic is a bucket-list achievement for many offshore sailors. The time and effort required to prepare for and compete in the race, the unpredictability of the North Atlantic Ocean, the tactical challenge presented by the Gulf Stream and the historic connection to the origins of offshore racing distinguish this competition from all other distance races.”

It was over drinks at the Union Club in New York City one night in October 1866 that the first Transatlantic Race came to be. Three proud yachtsmen—Pierre Lorillard, George Osgood, and James Gordon Bennett—each thought their yacht to be the fastest and decided the best way to settle the discussion would be a race from Sandy Hook, N.J., to the Needles, off the Western tip of the Isle of Wight. To make it interesting, they each put up $30,000 to go to the winner and then started on December 11, 1866. Bennett’s Henrietta won, six sailors were tragically lost in a storm and a new standard for offshore adventure was set.

The schedule of races has been sporadic in the years since, and the course has changed frequently. But the allure of racing from the United States to England hasn’t diminished.

RORC member Peter Bacon skippered the Xp44 Lucy Georgina to a win in IRC 2 in 2019. He also completed the 2023 RORC Transatlantic Race Two-Handed with his son Duncan as owner of Sun Fast 3300 Sea Bear.

“The highlight of our 2019 Transatlantic Race was crossing the finish line at the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes within 8 minutes of our closest competitor, Pata Negra, after 3,000 plus miles of racing," says Bacon (at left). "The 16 days leading up to the finish saw many fast sailing highs and almost as many cold, wet and uncomfortable lows. I am planning to be back for the 2025 race.”

While the 2025 edition of the race will officially finish off the Isle of Wight, in the Solent, a timing gate will be established at the Lizard to preserve the Newport, R.I., to Lizard Point record, which is monitored by the World Sailing Speed Record Council. That record, currently 6d:22h:08m:02s, was set by George David’s Rambler 100 in the 2011 race.

Finishers of the 2025 edition will be dropped right into the middle of a historic year for sailing on the Solent as the RORC celebrates a significant milestone.

"The Royal Ocean Racing Club is proud to continue to be part of the Organising Committee for the Transatlantic Race 2025, which continues our long relationships with the New York Yacht Club, the Royal Yacht Squadron and the Storm Trysail Club,” says RORC CEO Jeremy Wilton. “2025 is a special year for the new RORC, which will be celebrating our centenary. Transatlantic Race boat owners, crew, family and friends will receive a warm welcome at our newly refurbished Cowes Clubhouse, which is undergoing major works to be completed in early 2024. The 2025 RORC Season will be nothing short of spectacular; a full season of racing, including the special centenary celebration of the first Rolex Fastnet Race and the return of The Admiral’s Cup.”

Ireland's coastal town of Dun Laoghaire on Dublin Bay is set to host the next IRC European Championship in September 2024, the 2023 international IRC Congress held in Paris heard recently.

Irishman Michael Boyd, who chaired the Congress and is also Chairman of the IRC Board, told delegates the biennial event will "draw sailors from across Europe and beyond, offering challenging competition and the opportunity to experience the beauty of Irish waters". 

As Afloat reported earlier, the Bay's Royal Irish Yacht Club confirmed three major keelboat events for September 2024. 

2024 will be the second Irish hosting of the IRC Euros, the inaugural championship was raced as part of  Cork Week in 2016.

The 2023 International IRC Congress was hosted by the Yacht Club de France, joint owners of the international IRC rating rule with the Royal Ocean Racing Club.

The meeting was well attended, with representatives of several countries present along with the IRC teams from the UK and France, while others around the world participated by video conference.

IRC is a rating rule made by sailors for sailors, illustrated by the fact that most IRC Congress members are racing sailors and talking to boat owners, with direct experience on the water that helps shape the proposals and decisions they make in the meeting room.

Reports from the different nations spanning various continents and sailing cultures offered a comprehensive global perspective on IRC racing. This panoramic view helps to identify underlying trends and facilitates valuable exchanges of insights among members from different countries.

Technical developments of the IRC rating rule

The IRC Congress announced a series of rule changes for the 2024 racing season. These changes have been carefully considered and approved by Congress and their aim is to ensure the fairness and competitiveness of IRC racing while addressing specific concerns and developments in the sailing community. The IRC Technical Committee and IRC Congress are committed to keeping the IRC rule system responsive to the evolving needs and practices of today’s sailing community while protecting the existing fleet.

The biggest change for 2024 is the introduction of rating the number of headsails carried. Carrying multiple headsails can give a distinct advantage due to flexibility in a boat’s sail wardrobe for varying conditions, and the ability to increase headsail area by multiple headsails set flying, particularly for larger boats and in a reaching configuration.

From 2024, the number of headsails carried aboard will be rated in IRC. Photo: Paul Wyeth

For Endorsed IRC certificates any sails certified (measured) after 31st December 2023 will require a measurement sticker or stamp. Sail stamps serve as a visual confirmation that a sail has been properly measured and complies with the rating certificate, and aid equipment inspection at events when checking sails. The design of IRC flying headsails has been opened up with a reduction in the minimum half-width ratio from 62.5% to 60%.

The IRC Technical Committee is committed to further enhancing transparency within the world of competitive sailing and discussions at Congress included improving openness and providing valuable insights into boat ratings and their influencing factors while preventing the potential misuse of data. It is proposed to publish page 2 of the IRC certificate to provide sailors and the sailing community with a clear understanding of each boat's equipment and measurements, such as the number of sails that should be aboard.

IRC events 'thriving'

The conference heard that "events are central to the success of IRC and these events "continue to thrive", with many events seeing notably close results. As well as the major offshore races using IRC, continental championships continue to grow.

Dubai will play host to the 2023 IRC Middle East Championship this December, promising to bring together sailors from the region, offering them a platform to showcase their skills in unique Middle Eastern conditions.

Looking further ahead to the Admiral’s Cup in 2025, RORC has already received interest from over 20 countries, underscoring the event's and IRC’s international appeal.

The IRC Congress Minutes and papers are published here

The 2024 agreed rule changes and full rule text will be published on ircrating.org when finalised.

The Notice of Race is now available for the fifth edition of the Drheam Cup, which will take place from 11-21 July 2024.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the competition’s three courses will be identical to the previous edition’s, between Cherbourg-en Cotentin and La Trinité-sur-Mer.

Eleven classes are invited to the race: Ultime, Imoca, Ocean Fifty, Class40, Figaro Beneteau 3, Mini 6.50, Multi 2000, Large Monohulls Open class, IRC, classic yachts and for the first time the new Sun Fast 30 one design, whose design was initiated by the RORC and UNCL - Racing Division of Yacht Club de France.

What’s more, all results will count towards the RORC Championship and it will be the second race in the IRC Two-Handed European Championship.

RORC Vice-Commodore Eric de Turckheim, who confirmed he will be taking the start in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin on board his NYMD 54 Teasing Machine on 15 July, said: “We brought the 2022 edition of La Drheam-Cup/Grand Prix de France de Course au Large into the RORC calendar as it fulfilled our criteria: a great course, open to IRC, a race authority the meets the standards of the RORC and it does not run the same years as the Rolex Fastnet Race.

“Following that edition, we discussed with Debbie Fish, who will soon succeed me as head of the programme and race commission, to establish a number of conditions for La Drheam-Cup/Grand Prix de France de Course au Large to award points and enter the RORC Championship. This meant an audit of sailing instructions, safety, inspections of boats, etc. Jacques Civilise [president of Drheam-Promotion, organisers of the race] and his team met our demands, leading us to this decision to integrate the race into our championship.”

The fifth Dhream Cup will also be the second leg of the second edition of the IRC Two Handed European Championship, organised in part by the RORC. “In 2024, the two events that will be included are Cowes-Dinard-Saint-Malo and La Drheam-Cup,” De Turckheim said.

The Notice of Race is available HERE.

It's been quite a year for Tim Goodhew and Kelvin Matthews racing Sun Fast 3200 Cora. After winning IRC Two-Handed and IRC Three for the 2023 RORC Season's Points Championship, Cora has become the Royal Ocean Racing Club's 2023 IRC Double-Handed National Champions.

Cora won the Salcombe Gin Castle Rock Race at the beginning of the month and scored a double-win on Saturday, 09 September, in the final race. Cora took line honours and the win after IRC time correction for Race Two.

Last year's championship winner, Mike Yates' J/109 JAGO, racing with Will Holland, was second to Cora by narrow margins in both races. Rob Craigie's Sun Fast 3600 Bellino was third for the championship. In Race Two, Kathy Claydon's Arcona 370 Arcsine, racing with Phil Kirk, finished third after IRC time correction.

The next race organised by RORC will be the 15th edition of the RORC Transatlantic Race. The 3000-mile race across the Atlantic starts from Marina Lanzarote on 7th January.

Ross Applebey’s Oyster 48 Scarlet Oyster has won the 2023 RORC Channel Race overall under IRC. The top three boats in IRC Two filled the overall race podium with less than four minutes between them after IRC time correction. Ian Hoddle’s Sun Fast 3300 Game On, racing with Ollie Wyatt was second overall and won IRC Two-Handed. Third overall was Gareth Edmondson’s JPK 1030 Insert Coin. Congratulations to all the IRC Class winners including IRC Zero winner Henry Bateson’s Iceni 39 Andrasta, skippered by Bill Edgerton with the RORC Griffin Youth Team. In IRC One, Gilles Fournier & Corinne Migraine’s J/133 Pintia was the winner.

The penultimate race of the RORC Season’s Points Championship proved to be a windy affair with 20-25 knots of south westerly wind for most of 145nm race. Starting from the Royal Yacht Squadron Line the fleet beat west leaving North Head to Port to avoid the worst effects of the tide and wind at The Needles. The beat continued as far as Peveril Ledge off Swanage. A downwind sleigh ride back to the southside of the Isle of Wight and as far east as Shoreham Outfall, had boats hitting over 20 knots of boat speed. In the hours of darkness, a series of shorter legs, at a variety of wind angles, tested the boat handling and stamina of the teams. The finish was at Browndown in the Eastern Solent.

Ross Applebey’s Scarlet Oyster, with a highly experienced crew that has raced thousands of miles together, got away to a great start and revelled in the upwind conditions to get into a strong position after IRC time correction by Peveril Ledge. “We might have been a little under canvassed at the start but with the possibility of 30 knot gusts, our main aim was to get away to a clean start out of The Solent and not make life unnecessarily hard,” explained Ross Applebey. “We played the shifts pretty well to Peveril Ledge, and got there a little ahead of our routing,” continued Ross.

Scarlet Oyster’s competition in the race included a number of downwind flyers and sail damage to Scarlet Oyster also slowed the displacement Oyster 48 for the middle part of the race, which was all off the breeze.

“From Peveril Ledge to The Needles Fairway it was a deep starboard-tack reach and we had our A4 up with the boat achieving 17 knots of boat speed.” However, just as Scarlet Oyster approached The Needles Fairway Buoy a big gust hit the boat blowing the head off the kite. “In windy conditions we rig to drop the kite into the cockpit with a retrieval line, so two of the crew immediately got onto that. This kept much of the bottom of the kite out of the water and the rest of the crew was able to get it back on board fairly quickly. We then elected to hoist the Jib Top and a staysail, which was a little under powered but okay. At St. Catherine’s we had a bear-away and with no A4, we had to hoist our old A3. Meanwhile the downwind flyers, especially Game On and Insert Coin, were making big gains hitting over 20 knots of boat speed. Pintia had gone for their Code Zero and was really flying.”

As Scarlet Oyster approached Owers the wind went aft, which did not suite their sail set up. “We just couldn’t get deep enough with our A3 and the risk out-weighed the reward of keeping it flying. We poled out our Jib Top and set another jib to leeward, it was slower than a spinnaker but it reduced our losses and was far less stressful. However by Shoreham Overfalls we were probably last in IRC Two, but racing against surfing boats this was what we expected. We knew that with a heavy strong crew we could make up our time for the upwind legs; this was our forte. ” commented Applebey.

Approaching Shoreham Overalls, the Scarlet Oyster crew readied themselves and the boat for a big finish. “We went through our checklist and got the boat set up so that we would be straight into our stride for upwind trim. Very quickly we saw the gains; the crew were all hiked out and with full enthusiasm remaining until the finish. Our expectations increased as we realised that we would have a slight tidal advantage on the boats behind us.”

Scarlet Oyster won The Channel Race after IRC time correction, beating Game On and Insert Coin by less than four minutes after over 18 hours of racing. “The IRC rule does a good job,” commented Ross Applebey. “The course setters gave a good balance of upwind and downwind angles, it just shows if you have a great team that is focused and committed, an older displacement boat can compete with modern well-sailed planing yachts under IRC.”

Gilles Fournier and Corinne Migraine’s J/133 Pintia Photo: Paul Wyeth

Seven boats that retired during The Channel Race have been accounted for with no reports of any injuries to racing crew. Sun Fast 3300 Atomic was dismasted in 20 knots of wind, east of Bembridge IOW. Ronan Banim’s Galahad of Cowes and Mark Rayward’s Stormcloud should both be commended; both retired from the race to stand by to assist Atomic.

The final race of the 2023 RORC Season’s Points Championship will be the Salcombe Gin Castle Rock Race starting on the Royal Yacht Squadron Line, Friday 01 September from 1800 BST. The Salcombe Gin Castle Rock Race is also Race One of the IRC Double-Handed National Championship. 

RORC Channel Race results here

The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) Channel Race is set to take place on Saturday, August 12th, as part of the RORC Season's Points Championship.

Although the number of participating boats will be significantly lower than the world record entry for the Rolex Fastnet Race, competition will be intense as sailors compete for points in the world's largest offshore racing series.

After analysing weather forecasts, the RORC Race Team will set a course starting from the Royal Yacht Squadron Line, heading west for approximately 120 nautical miles. Spectators can watch the start from Cowes Parade and along the shore of the Western Solent.

Ross Hobson's Open 50 Pegasus of Northumberland (GBR)

IRC Zero

Among the line honours contenders in IRC Zero are Ross Hobson's Open 50 Pegasus of Northumberland (GBR) (that is still seeking a Round Ireland record) and Arto Livorno's Infiniti 52 Tulikettu (FIN). Although both boats have similar IRC ratings and canting keels, Tulikettu is a new concept incorporating DSS side foils, and is significantly lighter than Pegasus, which has more sail area and has been raced by Hobson for many years. Other boats in the class include Mark Emerson's A13 Phosphorous II (GBR) and Henry Bateson's Iceni 39 Andrasta, skippered by Bill Edgerton with the RORC Griffin Youth Team.

IRC One

In IRC One, Gilles Fournier & Corinne Migraine's J/133 Pintia (FRA) is back in action after winning IRC One for the 2023 Fastnet Race. Tom Scott's X-50 Itma (GBR) is the top-rated boat in the class, skippered by Australian Ben Rahilly, while RORC Treasurer Derek Shakespeare will race J/122 Bulldog (GBR) in the class.

Rob Craigie’s Sun Fast 3600 Bellino Photo: Paul Wyeth

IRC Two

Rob Craigie's Sun Fast 3600 Bellino (GBR) is leading IRC Two for the season and is second in IRC Two-Handed. Racing Two-Handed with Deb Fish, Bellino will also be defending their class win in the 2022 RORC Channel Race. Other boats in the class include Jim & Ellie Driver's Sun Fast 3300 Chilli Pepper (GBR), Trevor Middleton's Sun Fast 3600 Black Sheep, skippered by Jake Carter, and Ross Applebey's Oyster 48 Scarlet Oyster (GBR).

Nick Lee's Projection 920 Wee Bear (GBR), racing Two-Handed with Kare Woodward Photo: Rick Tomlinson

IRC Three

In IRC Three, Tim Goodhew & Kelvin Matthews racing Sun Fast 3200 Cora (GBR) will rest for August, but Mike Yates' J/109 Jago, racing Two-Handed, will be looking to close the gap in the RORC Channel Race. Other boats in the class include David McHugh's Just So (GBR) raced Two-Handed by William McHugh and Christian Jeffery, and Chris Burleigh's Jybe Talkin' (GBR). Gavin Howe's Classic Channel 72 Wavetrain (GBR) is the oldest and only wooden boat in the race, while Nick Lee's Projection 920 Wee Bear (GBR), racing Two-Handed with Kare Woodward, is the smallest boat in the race with the lowest IRC rating.

Over a hundred sailors will be competing in the RORC Channel Race, with over 40% of the sailors under 40 years old and a quarter being women in the 18-25 age bracket. Channel Race Trophies and Medallions will be presented on Saturday, September 2nd, at the RORC Cowes Clubhouse.

The Royal Ocean Racing Club's Channel Race is the 14th race of the RORC Season's Points Championship, the largest racing series in the world of offshore racing.