The Royal Ocean Racing Club is opening its 2027 Griffin Offshore Pathway to a new generation of young sailors, with recent Irish successes providing evidence of where the programme can lead.
Dublin sailor Nicole Hemeryck and Cork's Joe Griffiths, both Griffin graduates, have just completed the 1,805-nautical-mile RORC Round Britain and Ireland Race aboard Rob Craigie's Sun Fast 3600 Bellino, taking a provisional third place in IRC Two despite racing the final 200 miles without a mainsail after breaking their boom.
Kerry sailor Eimer McMorrow-Moriarty has also used Griffin to develop her offshore racing career. The 22-year-old Fenit sailor joined the programme after already accumulating extensive ocean experience and was selected for the eight-strong Griffin youth team for this month's Round Britain and Ireland Race.
Against that Irish backdrop, RORC is now preparing to recruit sailors aged 18–30 internationally for its 2027 programme, with applications opening following an online launch on 22 September.
From Irish Dinghy Sailing to Offshore Racing
McMorrow-Moriarty's route illustrates the type of progression Griffin is intended to provide.
She began sailing at Tralee Bay Sailing Club before progressing through Optimists, Lasers and 29ers and into Team Ireland squads. She subsequently accumulated more than 20,000 offshore miles, including a circumnavigation, before turning to Griffin as a means of developing the competitive side of her offshore sailing.
As previously reported by Afloat, she described Griffin as the missing link between having offshore experience and knowing how to turn it into a racing career.
"My miles have given me such a solid foundation, but Griffin was like a golden nugget," McMorrow-Moriarty said. "I could see this was how I progress, how I get into offshore racing. It was the pathway."
Her 2026 programme included RORC races such as the Cervantes Trophy, Myth of Malham, Morgan Cup and Channel Race in preparation for the Round Britain and Ireland Race.
Offshore Experience Not Essential
For the next intake, however, RORC stresses that applicants do not need anything approaching McMorrow-Moriarty's offshore mileage.
The Griffin Offshore Pathway is open to sailors aged 18–30, including dinghy sailors, keelboat racers, students and club sailors as well as those already gaining offshore experience.
Selection will focus on attitude, commitment, teamwork and potential rather than simply the number of offshore miles already completed.
Successful applicants will enter a structured programme combining training, coaching and mentoring with participation in RORC offshore racing, weekend training sessions and potential opportunities to compete overseas in partner events such as the Nastro Rosa.
Griffin Graduates Making Their Mark
The progress of Hemeryck and Griffiths provides another Irish example of what can follow.
Both moved on from Griffin to race aboard Bellino with RORC Commodore Deb Fish in this month's Round Britain and Ireland Race.
Their crew remained competitive despite breaking the boom and sailing approximately 200 miles to Cowes without a mainsail, finishing with a provisional IRC Two podium position.
Meanwhile, the Griffin team's own Sun Fast 3600 completed the same circuit with its young crew shortly before 7am on Friday, 21 August.
More than 100 young sailors were involved in the Griffin Pathway during 2026.
September Webinar Opens 2027 Applications
RORC will formally launch the 2027 programme with a Zoom webinar at 1900 on Tuesday, 22 September.
Current and recent Griffin sailors will discuss their experiences, while organisers will outline the 2027 programme, selection procedure, commitment required and application process.
Applications will open following the webinar and remain open for two weeks.
Prospective applicants and those interested in supporting the programme can register through the Griffin 2027 launch webinar.
The programme is also seeking support from RORC members and the wider offshore community through boats for training and racing, sails and equipment, financial contributions, volunteering and mentoring.
