Ireland is well represented at this weekend's 2025 RORC Easter Challenge on the Solent with potent Dublin and Cork entries in two of the three classes competing off Cowes.
Howth's First 50 Checkmate XX (Nigel Biggs and Dave Cullen) races in IRC Two, and Robert O'Leary's vintage Half Tonner 2 Farr from Baltimore, West Cork, competes in IRC Three.
Robert O'Leary's vintage Half Tonner 2 Farr from Baltimore, West Cork, an IRC European champion, competes in IRC Three at the 2025 RORC Easter Challenge on the Solent Photo: Afloat
With just a few days to go, anticipation is building for the Bank Holiday weekend regatta. This year’s edition features a varied fleet of over 40 boats across three IRC classes.
As a training regatta with PRO Stuart Childerley, Mason King leads the coaching on the water, supported by hand-picked coaches and a North Sails team of experts led by Ian Walker.
Mason King at RORC Easter Challenge Photo: Paul Wyeth
Crews will get three days of intense training for the season ahead with invaluable video debriefs after racing action on Friday and Saturday. Easter Eggs are the prizes for the RORC Easter Regatta, but the real winners are the teams that improve their performance for the season ahead.
Ker 46 ROST Van Uden prepares for high-stakes racing at the 2025 RORC Easter Challenge on the Solent, competing alongside elite teams in IRC One Photo: Paul Wyeth
IRC One: Admiral’s Cup Contenders Gather
IRC One promises to deliver some of the most intense action, with several top-tier teams using the regatta as a proving ground for the 2025 Admiral’s Cup. The spotlight is on the two Yacht Club de Monaco entries: TP52 Jolt 3 skippered by Peter Harrison, and Jolt 6, the Carkeek 40+ formerly known as Rebellion. They’ll be going head-to-head with two Dutch hopefuls: the De Graaf family’s Ker 43 Baraka GP and the Rotterdam Offshore Sailing Team’s Ker 46 Van Uden, skippered by Gerd-Jan Poortman.
Botin 52 Caro returns to the Solent for the 2025 RORC Easter Challenge, aiming to impress after its impressive Rolex Fastnet Race victory among top contenders Photo: Paul Wyeth
Also returning to Cowes is Max Clink’s Rolex Fastnet winner Botin 52 Caro, which will be representing the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron for the Admiral’s Cup. This will be Caro’s first race appearance in the Solent since that impressive 2023 Rolex Fastnet Race victory. Taking on the Admiral’s Cup hopefuls is TP52 Braveheart, skippered by Laurence Meade. With so much talent on the line, this class is set to showcase high-performance competition.
J/122 Bulldog, the 2024 IRC One champion, looks to add to its accolades at the 2025 RORC Easter Challenge on the Solent, ready for fierce competition Photo: Paul Wyeth
IRC Two: Speed Building and Racing Pedigree
Eighteen boats will be competing in IRC Two, including strong representation from the London School of Sailing. Their Reflex 38s "Cougar" and "Panther" offer an exciting match-racing prospect between two near-identical training vessels. The class also features military entries, such as the Army Sailing Association’s Fujitsu British Soldier, led by Lieutenant Colonel Will Naylor. The class includes an impressive lineup of J/Boats: David Franks’ J/112 Leon has a proven winning track record winning at the IRC Nationals and Cowes Week. IRC One Class winner for the 2024 season J/122 Bulldog will have RORC Vice Commodore Derek Shakespeare at the helm. Dunlop & Cox’s Welsh J/122 Mojito is just back from a very successful RORC Caribbean 600.
The Cape 31s Jiraffe and Akheilos gear up for action at the 2025 RORC Easter Challenge on the Solent, set to compete in IRC Two with speed and agility Paul Wyeth
Three Cape 31s will be using the training regatta to get up to speed for the season: Simon Perry’s Jiraffe, Hewat & Stone’s Narwhal and Ben Pritchard with Akheilos. The largest boats in IRC Two are Dave Cullen with his First 50 Checkmate XX from Howth YC, Hugo Gommers’ Landmark 43 Olympix with a young Dutch team and past RORC Admiral Andrew McIrvine with Ker 39 La Reponse.
J/109 Mojo Risin’ enters the 2025 RORC Easter Challenge on the Solent, prepared for thrilling match-ups in IRC Three, aiming for a top finish Photo: Paul Wyeth
IRC Three: Where Tradition Meets Tenacity during the Easter Egg Hunt
18 boats are expected for IRC Three, including four J/109s in the mix : Rob Cotterill’s Mojo Risin’, Stephen Davis’ Jeroboam, Neville-Jones & Hardy’s Jamira, and Olly and Sam Love’s Frank 4. Three J/99s will also be on the racetrack: Brian Denney’s Jalapeno 3, Charles Balmain’s Snapshot and Alain Waha’s Further West. Among the more unique entries is Arrow, a West Solent One Design built to a 1920s HG May design. Skippered by Led Pritchard, this newly assembled team is diving straight into the regatta as a season opener. Also racing is the Etchells Ziggy, sailed by Kevin Down and Tim Eles on behalf of the Cowes Keelboat Youth Charity.
S&S 41 Winsome showcases classic design at the 2025 RORC Easter Challenge on the Solent, ready to compete against strong rivals in IRC Three Photo: Rick Tomlinson
Classics abound in IRC Three with two equally matched boats from the design board of Sparkman & Stephens: Harry Heijst’s Winsome and Ramona-Ann Gale’s Firebrand. Two Half Tonners will have close racing: Rob O’Leary’s Irish 2 Farr and former RORC Commodore Peter Rutter with Quokka 9. Rounding out the class is the Royal Navy’s Sun Fast 3600 Sovereign, skippered by Kat Jay, which will be looking to score a better Easter Egg haul than the Army!
The Easter Challenge entry is here
