The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) Channel Race is set to take place on Saturday, August 12th, as part of the RORC Season's Points Championship.
Although the number of participating boats will be significantly lower than the world record entry for the Rolex Fastnet Race, competition will be intense as sailors compete for points in the world's largest offshore racing series.
After analysing weather forecasts, the RORC Race Team will set a course starting from the Royal Yacht Squadron Line, heading west for approximately 120 nautical miles. Spectators can watch the start from Cowes Parade and along the shore of the Western Solent.
Ross Hobson's Open 50 Pegasus of Northumberland (GBR)
IRC Zero
Among the line honours contenders in IRC Zero are Ross Hobson's Open 50 Pegasus of Northumberland (GBR) (that is still seeking a Round Ireland record) and Arto Livorno's Infiniti 52 Tulikettu (FIN). Although both boats have similar IRC ratings and canting keels, Tulikettu is a new concept incorporating DSS side foils, and is significantly lighter than Pegasus, which has more sail area and has been raced by Hobson for many years. Other boats in the class include Mark Emerson's A13 Phosphorous II (GBR) and Henry Bateson's Iceni 39 Andrasta, skippered by Bill Edgerton with the RORC Griffin Youth Team.
IRC One
In IRC One, Gilles Fournier & Corinne Migraine's J/133 Pintia (FRA) is back in action after winning IRC One for the 2023 Fastnet Race. Tom Scott's X-50 Itma (GBR) is the top-rated boat in the class, skippered by Australian Ben Rahilly, while RORC Treasurer Derek Shakespeare will race J/122 Bulldog (GBR) in the class.
Rob Craigie’s Sun Fast 3600 Bellino Photo: Paul Wyeth
IRC Two
Rob Craigie's Sun Fast 3600 Bellino (GBR) is leading IRC Two for the season and is second in IRC Two-Handed. Racing Two-Handed with Deb Fish, Bellino will also be defending their class win in the 2022 RORC Channel Race. Other boats in the class include Jim & Ellie Driver's Sun Fast 3300 Chilli Pepper (GBR), Trevor Middleton's Sun Fast 3600 Black Sheep, skippered by Jake Carter, and Ross Applebey's Oyster 48 Scarlet Oyster (GBR).
Nick Lee's Projection 920 Wee Bear (GBR), racing Two-Handed with Kare Woodward Photo: Rick Tomlinson
IRC Three
In IRC Three, Tim Goodhew & Kelvin Matthews racing Sun Fast 3200 Cora (GBR) will rest for August, but Mike Yates' J/109 Jago, racing Two-Handed, will be looking to close the gap in the RORC Channel Race. Other boats in the class include David McHugh's Just So (GBR) raced Two-Handed by William McHugh and Christian Jeffery, and Chris Burleigh's Jybe Talkin' (GBR). Gavin Howe's Classic Channel 72 Wavetrain (GBR) is the oldest and only wooden boat in the race, while Nick Lee's Projection 920 Wee Bear (GBR), racing Two-Handed with Kare Woodward, is the smallest boat in the race with the lowest IRC rating.
Over a hundred sailors will be competing in the RORC Channel Race, with over 40% of the sailors under 40 years old and a quarter being women in the 18-25 age bracket. Channel Race Trophies and Medallions will be presented on Saturday, September 2nd, at the RORC Cowes Clubhouse.
The Royal Ocean Racing Club's Channel Race is the 14th race of the RORC Season's Points Championship, the largest racing series in the world of offshore racing.
