The RORC 2025 UK IRC National Championship, part of the Royal Thames Yacht Club’s 250th Anniversary Regatta, will bring together over 50 IRC-rated boats for three days of competitive inshore racing in the Solent from June 13th-15th.
With 21 of the 30 yachts entered in the 2025 Admiral’s Cup expected to compete, this year’s IRC Nationals has teams racing from all over the world, bristling with elite sailors from the Olympics, America’s Cup and round-the-world races. The fleet will include a broad range of designs racing in four IRC Classes—from Quarter Tonners to grand-prix One Designs and IRC-optimised custom builds. The 2025 IRC National Championships highlight the depth and diversity of modern IRC racing.
Caro & Jolt 6 Photo: Paul Wyeth
The Solent’s shifting tides and tight racecourses are known to reward precision and teamwork. Among the larger boats, competition will be particularly strong in IRC Zero, with a phenomenal mix of boats and world-class sailors. Black Pearl, Gladiator, Beau Geste, Rán 8, Jolt 3, Caro, and Red Bandit are among those expected to contend for IRC Zero alongside Final Final, Privateer, ROST Van Uden, and Ino Noir.
Gladiator competes in IRC Zero of the 2025 UK IRC Championships Photo: Paul Wyeth
IRC One is probably the most diverse class at the regatta. Eight Admiral’s Cuppers will be racing: AMP-lifi, Baraka GP, Beau Ideal, Callisto, Ginkgo, Jolt 6, Nola and X-Day.
Callisto competes in a diverse IRC One of the 2025 UK IRC Championships Photo: Paul Wyeth
The class also includes four Cape 31s: Flying Jenny, Fargo, Khumbu, and Swift Half. Two Spirit Yachts from the design board of Sean McMillan, will be in action; Gwenhyfar II and Oui Fling, as well as the Swan 62 Coco de Mer.
The Cape 31 Flying Jennie competes in IRC One of the 2025 UK IRC Championships Photo: Paul Wyeth
Smaller boats continue to play a significant role on the podium at the IRC Nationals. Historically, the majority of overall champions have come from the 30-40ft range, and that pattern could continue in 2025. Past winners returning this year include Adam Gosling’s JPK 1080 Yes!, a three-time overall champion and David Franks' J/112 Leon, class winner in 2020.
Adam Gosling’s JPK 1080 Yes!, a three-time overall UK IRC champion Photo: Paul Wyeth
At the other end of the spectrum, vintage entries such as Peter Rutter’s Half Tonner Quokka 9 and Jamie McWilliam’s BB10 Pelikanen continue to show that older designs can still be highly competitive under IRC.
Peter Rutter’s Half Tonner Quokka 9 Photo: Paul Wyeth
With a fleet that spans everything from high-performance carbon racers to classic designs, such as Richard Hargreaves’ Aeolus, the 2025 IRC National Championship is set to be a fantastic showcase of the best in IRC racing. Success is determined by tactical skill, boat handling, and teamwork; those are the keys to unlocking a national title.
Entry list here
