#offshore –A brand new offshore race taking yachts from Europe to the Caribbean has been annuonced by leading offshore body, the Royal Ocean Racing Club in London. The RORC Transatlantic Race will set off from Lanzarote, Canary Islands and finish in the Caribbean, at a destination to be confirmed. The 2,800 nm east to west race will act as a feeder for yachts participating in the 2015 RORC Caribbean 600, held annually in February from Antigua.
The RORC racing calendar attracts sailors from all over the world to compete during the season in over 20 races and comprises a series of highly competitive inshore and offshore IRC Rated events throughout the year. The new RORC Transatlantic Race will be the longest and final race in 2014, making it another busy year for the London-based Club. It follows a season of regular RORC races as well as the international Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race and Brewin Dolphin Commodores' Cup.
"In the past the club has been involved with the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) who have a racing division, but with increasing interest in the RORC Caribbean 600 every February, the number and quality of serious race boats making the crossing has required a specialist RORC event all of its own," explains RORC Commodore, Mike Greville. "We're delighted to be working with such keen racers as the Calero family and using the fabulous marina facility they have in Lanzarote and we look forward to a long and happy relationship."
Puerto Calero - Host Port
The host port for the start of the race will be the 450-berth Puerto Calero Marina situated on the south side of Lanzarote, only 15 minutes from the island's international airport. The Calero family are no strangers to hosting big events.
"We are delighted the RORC has chosen our marina to host the start of the RORC Transatlantic Race in November next year," said José Juan Calero. "We have all the facilities required by a yacht making an Atlantic crossing: a fully equipped boat yard and repair service, food and supply shops and we are very proud of all the restaurants and hotels we have around the marina. These all make for a pleasant and relaxing time for competitors in advance of the start."
In November, Puerto Calero will once again play host port to the RC44 Championship Tour. Returning to Lanzarote for the sixth consecutive year since 2008, this will be the third time the Island has hosted the Championships. It is one of three classes - TP52 and GP42 - to have held their world championships at Puerto Calero.
The marina is also home to Team SCA, the all female crew training for the 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race and Ericsson, Groupama and Puma have held training camps here in recent years.
Canarian Meander
Lanzarote is the most eastern island of the Canarian archipelago and it is the RORC's intention that the race course will meander through the islands before venturing out into the Atlantic.
The race, commencing over the weekend of the 28th and 29th November 2014, will be run under OSR Category 1 and the start date will allow time for competitors in the Rolex Middle Sea Race to get to the start of the RORC Transatlantic Race in good time and for the yachts to finish in the Caribbean before Christmas.
To register interest and for more information, contact the RORC Race Office: T: +44 (0) 207 518 3131 and email: [email protected]
