• Irish boats excelled in 18 knot winds
• Max Walker’s Elysium IV dominated IRC Three with two wins
• Video debrief aimed to enhance coaching experience for crews

As expected, Irish boats are on top form on the Solent after day one of the RORC Easter Challenge in Cowes. 

Robert O’Leary’s Half Tonner 2 Farr representing Rush and Baltimore Sailing Club in West Cork leads the IRC Four division and Dave Cullen and Nigel Bigg's First 50 Checkmate XX from Howth Yacht Club was second in both races to be second overall in IRC Two.

The training regatta supported by North Sails, kicked off on Good Friday with sporty conditions in the Solent. 18 knots from the south east with wind over tide increasing to over 20 knots in the afternoon with flatter seas.

PRO Stuart Childerley and the RORC Race Team organised a series of practice starts followed by a technical windward leeward race and a Solent marks race for all classes. 

IRC Four

Rob O’Leary’s Half Tonner 2 Farr (pictured top) won both of today’s races. Olly & Sam Love’s J/109 scored two podium finishes to place second in class after two races. Harry Heijst’s S&S 41 finished the day in third for the class after two races. Rob Cotterill’s J/109 Mojo Risin’ podiumed in Race Two.

Max Walker’s Sun Fast 3600 Elysium IV competing at the 2025 RORC Easter Challenge in Cowes Photo: Paul Wyeth

IRC Three

Max Walker’s Sun Fast 3600 Elysium IV had a great day on the water winning both races. Ian & Imogen Watkins FarEast 28 Mako is second in class after two races but only on countback from Alan Waha & Matt Waite’s J/99 Further West. The Army Sailing Association’s Sun Fast 3600 Fujitsu British Soldier made the podium in Race Two.

Max Walker’s Sun Fast 3600 Elysium IV will be competing in the RORC Season’s Points Championship this year including the Rolex Fastnet Race. RORC Member Max emphasised the importance of supporting the RORC by participating in the training regatta and also highlighted the significant learnings from communication and preparation, especially in windy conditions.

“There is so much to gain from this regatta,” commented Max Walker. “It’s rare to get coaching expertise from the likes of Ian Walker and the excellent team, I am surprised more boats do not attend. The big takeaway from on the water was better communication on board really improved our performance as a team. Also before the regatta, we talked about our plans in preparation for tough conditions. The environment of a training regatta allows us to relax and explore new areas to improve our performance."

IRC Two

Per Roman’s JPK 1180 Garm, which will be representing the RORC in the Admiral’s Cup, won both of today’s races. Dave Cullen’s First 50 Checkmate XX from Howth YC was second in both races. RORC Vice Commodore Derek Shakespeare racing his J/122 Bulldog finished the day third after two races. Dunlop & Cox’s J/122 Mojito made the podium in Race One, as did Simon Perry’s Cape 31 Jiraffe in Race Two.

Peter Harrison’s TP52 Jolt 3 at the 2025 RORC Easter Challenge in Cowes Photo: Paul Wyeth

IRC One

Five teams that will be racing in the 2025 Admiral’s Cup had their first ever skirmish in the Solent. Peter Harrison’s TP52 Jolt 3, representing the Yacht Club de Monaco, won both of today’s races. While the RORC Easter Challenge is a training regatta, taking two bullets against top competition would have been savoured by Jolt 3. Second in both races was Max Clink’s Botin 52 Caro, which will be racing for the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron for the Admiral’s Cup.

Ker 46 ROST Van Uden at the 2025 RORC Easter Challenge in Cowes Photo: Paul Wyeth

Third in both of today’s races was Ker 46 ROST Van Uden, skippered by Ger-Jan Poortman. The young Dutch team will represent the Royal Maas Yacht Club this July. Joost Dragt (24) and Florian Vreeberg (19) are the young trim team on Van Uden. Both will be racing in their first Rolex Fastnet Race and the Admiral’s Cup in July. The young trimmers commented: “Van Uden has been modified so we are getting use to the new set up. Today racing against top opposition was a really good opportunity to test new sail trim against top opposition. Also, we are gaining valuable local knowledge for the Admiral’s Cup and Fastnet.”

Per Roman's JPK 1180 Garm at the 2025 RORC Easter Challenge in Cowes Photo: Paul Wyeth

About 300 sailors attended the RORC Easter Challenge Video Debrief held at the RORC Cowes Clubhouse after racing.

Video Debrief

The RORC Easter Challenge Video Debrief was held at the RORC Cowes Clubhouse. Race Coach Mason King introduced the speakers to the stage, but before the regatta, all competitors received an information sheet designed to help them get the most out of the expert coaching on hand.

“We want the RORC Easter Challenge to be as valuable as possible,” commented Mason King “ We have encouraged early communication as past events have shown that engaging with teams before and during the regatta significantly enhances the coaching experience. We especially encourage crews to let us know which aspects of performance to focus on. As a result starts, rig tune and sail trim are all being covered by the on-the-water coaching team and in the debriefs.” Speakers at the debrief were North Sails’ Ian Walker and Dave Lenz, Royal Thames YC’s Jack Fenwick and RYA Head Coach Phil Devereux.

Easter Challenge Results here