In the opening hours of the 11th edition of the RORC Transatlantic Race, a strong Irish crew onboard the American Volvo 70 Tschüss 2 are making their presence fleet in third place in IRC overall.
On Christian Zugel’s crew are Ireland's Johnny Mordaunt, Simon Johnson, who were on board during the record-breaking 2024 Round Gotland Run off Sweden in July. Mordaunt is a co-skipper for the transatlantic crossing, and the crew is joined by Cork Harbour's Nicholas O’Leary, too.
The race launched in spectacular style, with perfect sailing conditions just outside Marina Lanzarote on Sunday, (12 January), Marina Lanzarote, Arrecife.
The stunning backdrop of Arrecife and the excitement in the air set the stage for an unforgettable start to this iconic ocean adventure.
Perfect conditions as the RORC Transatlantic Race fleet sets off from Lanzarote Photo: Sailing Energy
Conditions at the start were picture-perfect with a steady northeasterly breeze climbing into the high teens and a pleasant 20°C air temperature - an ideal setting to kick off the epic 3,000-mile oceanic journey. The spectator fleet gathered for the start, and at the first mark of the course outside Puerto Calero Marina. After the course amendment three days before the start, the competing boats had all options open to them to race across the Atlantic to Port Louis Marina, Grenada.
Oren Nataf's Pulsar 50 Rayon Vert (FRA) Photo: James Mitchell
First away were the multihulls, with the majority favouring the pin-end of the line offshore. Monegasque Oren Nataf racing his Pulsar 50 Rayon Vert (FRA) got a great start among the pack at the pin-end. Thierry Roger’s Newick 39 Perros-Guirec (FRA) racing double-handed stayed out of the traffic by choosing the Committee Boat end of the line inshore. Rayon Vert was the first multihull to round the Puerto Calero mark, with the Pulsar 50 then choosing to gybe west and leave Fuerteventura to port, followed by Perros-Guirec and Clarin Mustad’s Alibi 54 Dakota (SUI). Jacopo Bracco’s Banuls 53 Finn (USA) chose to head south rather than follow the boats that gybed west. Aldo Fumagalli’s Rapido 53 Picomole (ITA) looks all set to follow Finn south. Tactics are in play for the Multihull Class with a split in strategy on the first day of the race. Will west through the Canary Islands pay, or will the boats that dive south come out on top?
The MOCRA fleet after the start - Clarin Mustad’s Alibi 54 Dakota (SUI) Photo: Sailing Energy
Jacopo Bracco’s Banuls 53 Finn (USA) Photo: Sailing Energy
In the second start for the monohulls racing under IRC, Bryon Ehrhart’s Juan K 88 Lucky (USA) and Christian Zugel’s Volvo 70 Tschüss 2 (USA) were less than two boats lengths from the line at the start, spearing through the Atlantic swell at close to 20 knots of boat speed. Tschüss 2 took a direct line to the Puerto Calero mark, while Lucky took a big gybe offshore. Lucky and Tschüss 2 arrived at Puerto Calero almost at the same time.
VO65 Sisi (AUT) co-skippered by Gerwin Jansen & Oliver Kobale got away well, as did James Neville’s Carkeek 45 Ino Noir (GBR). The vast majority of the IRC fleet look set to leave Fuerteventura to port. However, Class40 Rock ‘n’ Roll has elected to head south.
Bryon Ehrhart’s Juan K 88 Lucky (USA) and Christian Zugel’s Volvo 70 Tschüss 2 (USA) Photo: Sailing Energy
VO65 Sisi (AUT) co-skippered by Gerwin Jansen & Oliver Kobale Photo: James Mitchell
James Neville’s Carkeek 45 Ino Noir (GBR) Photo: James Mitchell
At 1500 UTC on the first day of the race, Rayon Vert leads the Multihull Class on the water, smoking along at an average speed of 20 knots. In the monohull fleet, Lucky led the charge, clocking speeds of over 25 knots. Tschüss 2 was second and also achieved a blistering pace. JV52 Haspa Hamburg (GER) skippered by Wibke Borrmann was the last monohull to round the Puerto Calero mark. All of the fleet in the RORC Transatlantic Race are now at sea; stay tuned for future updates.
Alister Richardson's Class40 Tquila (GBR)..... Photo: James Mitchell
......with Ireland's James McHugh's on the strength Photo: James Mitchell
Bryon Ehrhart’s Juan K 88 Lucky (USA) and Christian Zugel’s Volvo 70 Tschüss 2 (USA) head off for their first night at sea Photo: James Mitchell
