Irish sailor Karl Smith will take another significant step towards his 2027 round-the-world campaign when he races his Class40 Racing to End Parkinson’s in the RORC Transatlantic Race from Lanzarote to Antigua in January.
Smith, racing with David Rowen, is among the first entries announced for the 13th edition of the 3,000-nautical-mile race, which starts from Marina Lanzarote on Sunday, 10 January.
The Irish campaign has entered both the RORC Transatlantic Race and the subsequent RORC Caribbean 600 as part of Smith’s preparations for the 2027 Global Solo Challenge.
As Afloat reported in August, Smith is preparing to race approximately 30,000 miles solo and non-stop around the world aboard Class40 #147. His campaign was inspired by the diagnosis of his father, Peter, with Parkinson’s disease and has set a target of raising more than €1 million for Parkinson’s research, care and awareness.
The boat also has considerable offshore pedigree, having previously raced as Campagne de France with Miranda Merron and Halvard Mabire.
Solo Focus: Irish sailor Karl Smith at work aboard his Class40 Racing to End Parkinson’s as he builds towards the 2027 Global Solo Challenge
Volvo 70s Lead Early Entry
The first wave of entries for the 2027 RORC Transatlantic brings together outright speed, established offshore campaigns and Corinthian crews.
At the faster end of the developing fleet, two Volvo 70s, Pace and Gweilo 70, are set for an Atlantic contest.
Johnny Vincent’s Pace previously raced as Tschüss 2, winning the 2025 RORC Transatlantic Race overall under IRC before going on to take overall victory in the RORC Caribbean 600.
Now under her new name, Pace last month won both Monohull Line Honours and IRC Overall in the 50th anniversary RORC Round Britain and Ireland Race. During the 1,805-nautical-mile race, she recorded a 486nm 24-hour run and a boat speed of 27 knots.
The Australian Gweilo 70 has an equally substantial history. Formerly Pyewacket 70, Black Jack and originally Telefónica in the Volvo Ocean Race, she has been modified with increased sail area and reduced weight.
Matt Donald and Chris Townsend head an Australian campaign whose sailors are members of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia.
Atlantic Departure: The RORC Transatlantic fleet heads away from Lanzarote on the 3,000-nautical-mile course to Antigua. Photo: Calero Marinas
Multihulls Return to Atlantic
Adrian Keller’s 84ft Nigel Irens-designed catamaran Allegra is among the early multihull entries. The experienced RORC campaigner has competed extensively in the Transatlantic and has recorded multiple MOCRA successes in major offshore races.
Charles Wolf’s French TS52 Baies du Monde 2 is also entered, along with Timo Tavio’s 50ft trimaran Calamity.
Calamity returns after being forced to retire from the 2026 RORC Transatlantic Race with a broken boom. The team subsequently reached Antigua, repaired the spar and returned to racing weeks later to win MOCRA in the RORC Caribbean 600.
Second Shot: Timo Tavio’s Ocean Fifty Calamity returns for the 2027 RORC Transatlantic after a broken boom ended her 2026 race. Photo: Arthur Daniel
Jackknife Back After 2026 Podium
Sam and Andrew Hall return aboard the J/125 Jackknife, which won IRC Two and finished third overall under IRC in the 2026 Transatlantic Race. A Corinthian crew achieved that result aboard a design now around 30 years old.
The Halls are experienced Transatlantic competitors, having previously raced four consecutive editions aboard Pata Negra before switching to Jackknife.
Sam Tregelles’ Elan 410 Mad Dash brings a racer-cruiser element to an early fleet that already ranges from Class40 and older IRC designs to Volvo 70s and high-performance multihulls.
IRC Pedigree: Sam and Andrew Hall’s J/125 Jackknife returns after winning IRC Two and taking third overall under IRC in the 2026 RORC Transatlantic. Photo: Tim Wright
More entries are expected to be announced over the coming months.
The early Transatlantic announcement comes shortly after the conclusion of the RORC’s 2026 domestic offshore programme, in which Rob Craigie’s Sun Fast 3600 Bellino secured a fourth consecutive RORC Season’s Points Championship, as Afloat reported.
The 2027 RORC Transatlantic Race starts from Marina Lanzarote on Sunday, 10 January, racing approximately 3,000 nautical miles to Antigua in the West Indies.
