As Afloat reported earlier, J/125 Jackknife has emerged as one of the standout performers in the 2026 RORC Transatlantic Race, taking victory in IRC Two and third overall under IRC. Skippered by Sam Hall and co-skippered by his father, Andrew, Jackknife completed the 3,000 nautical-mile crossing from Lanzarote to Antigua in 11 days and 13 hours. Despite being one of the oldest yachts in the fleet, the Corinthian crew delivered a strong and consistent performance.
“The team’s preparation and focus really paid off,” said Sam Hall after collecting the IRC Two prize from Race Director Chris Jackson.
In IRC Two, second place went to Marc Lepesqueux’s Sensation, a Rolland 40 that completed the race in 12 days and 8 hours. Lepesqueux is the longest-serving competitor in the event, having raced in the inaugural edition in 2014.
In the Superyacht Division, the 128-foot Linnea Aurora, skippered by Phil Martinson, took the Superyacht Trophy on corrected time after completing the race in 11 days and 13 hours.
Linnea Aurora’s crew mark their win in the Superyacht Division at the 2026 RORC Transatlantic Race. Photo:Arthur Daniel/RORC
Lift 45 Maxitude, owned and skippered by Xavier Bellouard, fulfilled a personal goal with a 10-day, 12-hour crossing. The all-French crew also earned the Yacht Club de France Trophy.
Xavier Bellouard’s crew mark their Atlantic crossing and Yacht Club de France Trophy win at the RORC Transatlantic finish in Antigua. Photo credit: Arthur Daniel/RORC
All multihulls in the MOCRA division have now finished. Wellness Training, skippered by Marc Guillemot, took third place after 9 days and 9 hours at sea. Calamity, which suffered a broken boom, is safely docked in Jolly Harbour for repairs.
James Neville’s Carkeek 45 Ino Noir delivered a second overall finish under IRC with a 9-day, 6-hour run. Other notable IRC finishers included NeoJivaro / Afazik Impulse, Sisi, and Nacira.
In the Two-Handed category, Adrien, an 86-foot ketch, was the first double-handed boat to finish. However, Kornog 2, a Pogo 12.50 sailed by Gilles Colubi and Ivan Osselin, won the class on corrected time with a 13-day, 1-hour passage.
Gilles Colubi and Ivan Osselin sail to Two-Handed class victory aboard the Pogo 12.50. Photo credit: James Mitchell/RORC
Several yachts remain at sea. Rock ‘n’ Roll and Team 42 are within 310 nautical miles of Antigua. Stimmy, sailed by Ari Huusela and Annika Paasikivi, is expected to be the final finisher, 660 miles out.
German yacht Walross 4, with a young crew, continues her journey with 415 miles remaining. The fleet has expressed condolences over the loss of a crew member on board. Support is being provided by ASV-Berlin YC and RORC.
On 24 January, Antigua Yacht Club hosted a welcome gathering for race crews and local sailors, celebrating the successful arrivals with food and drink.
