Jens Kellinghusen’s Ker 56 Varuna 6 has become the second monohull to finish the 2026 RORC Round Britain and Ireland Race, while the battles for the remaining class honours continue to tighten across the fleet.
Varuna 6 crossed the Royal Yacht Squadron finish line in Cowes at 13:37:19 BST on Monday, 17 August, completing the 1,805-nautical-mile course in 8 days, 7 minutes and 19 seconds. After IRC time correction, the German yacht was unable to overhaul Johnny Vincent’s Volvo 70 Pace, which finished early on Sunday morning and remains in pole position for IRC Zero and the overall prize.
At 79, Varuna 6 owner Kellinghusen is the oldest sailor competing in this year’s race.
“It is a long race with a huge amount of navigation, so we are very happy to be back in Cowes,” navigator Mike Broughton said. “Full credit to the whole team, especially our owner Jens Kellinghusen. At 79 years young, Jens is the oldest sailor in the race, and this is a tremendous achievement.”
Broughton described conditions aboard the carbon Ker 56 as demanding throughout the eight-day passage.
“The boat has been wet since the very first night and down below is like a black hole,” he said. “But that is all part of the challenge. We are delighted to have finished with the boat and everyone on board in one piece.”
Palanad 4 Next for Cowes
Attention now turns to Antoine Magre’s Mach 50 Palanad 4, which was expected to finish later on Monday afternoon. Valdo Dhoyer and Charles Houal’s Volvo 60 Challenge Ocean remained fourth on the water, with 27 teams still racing at the time of the 1400 BST update.
Next Arrival: Antoine Magre’s Mach 50 Palanad 4 charges through the water as she closes on Cowes, with the French entry projected to challenge for second place in IRC Zero. Photo: Rick Tomlinson
Most of the remaining fleet has now rounded Muckle Flugga and nearby Out Stack off Unst in Shetland, the most northerly point of the 1,805-mile course.
The remote turning point has provided crews with some memorable moments. Benjamin Grosman and Klaus Rasmussen reported sunshine as their double-handed Ronin rounded, joking: “We may be far back, but we Danes are once again patrolling the Shetlands!”
For Maggie Adamson, racing double-handed aboard Tigris with Gavin Howe, the passage had particular significance. Adamson is from Cunningsburgh in Shetland, and friends sailed out to greet the crew as they passed through her home waters.
Pace Holds IRC Advantage
As reported by Afloat yesterday, Pace, whose 14-strong crew includes Irish sailors Tom McWilliam and James Carroll, is now firmly placed for IRC Zero honours and remains the favourite for IRC Overall.
Varuna 6 has been unable to beat Pace on corrected time, while Palanad 4 was projected to take second in IRC Zero ahead of Varuna 6. At 1300 BST, projections also had Palanad 4 second in IRC Overall and Sam Hall’s Lombard 46 Pata Negra third, followed by Bellino, Sky Business – Game On and Kestrel.
Those positions remain projections rather than final results, with hundreds of miles, changing weather and tidal gates still separating many competitors from Cowes.
Eight Miles Separate Class40 Trio
One of the most intense battles is unfolding in Class40, where just eight miles separated all three remaining boats at 1300 BST.
Pierre Le Boucher’s Penfret led with 168 miles remaining, but Greg Leonard’s Swift was only one mile behind. Jon Tyrrel’s Gambit had 176 miles left to race.
The on-the-water battle is further complicated by a protest lodged against the provisional Class40 leader. It is due to be heard after both teams involved have finished, meaning the Class40 result will remain provisional until the matter is resolved.
Bellino and Game On Separated by Seconds
The fight in IRC Two is even closer on corrected time.
Rob Craigie’s Sun Fast 3600: Bellino led Sky Business – Game On by just one minute and 40 seconds on the latest projected corrected times. Bellino had 540 miles remaining and Game On 542, while Kestrel and Mzungu! were both on 550 miles to go. RORC Griffin and Tigris remained close behind.
Sail Saved: The Bellino crew, including Irish sailors Nicole Hemeryck and Joe Griffiths, rounds the remote northern reaches of the course after repairing a tear in its A0, with the Sun Fast 3600 locked in a remarkably tight IRC Two battle. Photo: RORC
Bellino had also been forced into running repairs after a horizontal tear was discovered near the head of its A0 following the Muckle Flugga rounding. Joe Griffiths spent the night repairing the sail below deck before it returned to service the following morning.
Sky Business – Game On also leads the IRC Two-Handed standings, ahead of Kestrel, Mzungu!, Tigris and Frida.
Northern Watch: Fujitsu British Soldier marks its rounding of Muckle Flugga during the RORC Round Britain and Ireland Race. The Army Sailing Association entry is currently ninth in IRC Two as the fleet turns south for home. Photo: RORC
Pata Negra Leads IRC One
Sam Hall’s Lombard 46 Pata Negra remained in command of IRC One with 371 miles to sail and was also projected to occupy third place overall.
Class Charge: Sam Hall’s Lombard 46 Pata Negra presses south with the lead in IRC One and a place among the leading projected contenders for IRC Overall. Photo: Rick Tomlinson
Double-handed Frida was projected second in the class with 515 miles remaining, followed by Nick Edmonds’ Stickleback, with Espresso Martini Too and Xantho completing the leading group.
In IRC Three, Mark Brown’s Jetpack continued to lead with 640 miles remaining. Zanzibar was projected second, followed by Mojo and Astrid.
For much of the fleet, rounding Muckle Flugga means the bow is finally pointing towards Cowes. But with 27 boats still racing and some corrected-time margins measured in minutes rather than hours, the 50th anniversary RORC Round Britain and Ireland Race remains far from decided.
