Royal Ocean Racing Club

Royal Ocean Racing Club The RORC is recognised as the premier organiser of ocean racing for offshore yachts. This is the Royal Ocean Racing Club's official page.

The RORC is recognised as the premier organiser of racing for offshore yachts, including the most famous Rolex Fastnet Race, the Brewin Dolphin Commodores' Cup, the RORC Caribbean 600 and RORC Transatlantic Race and more. RORC is also involved in many other international events, such as the Rolex Middle Sea Race, the Transatlantic Ocean Racing Series etc. The two clubhouses in London and Cowes are

fantastically located in Green Park, Central London, and on The Parade in Cowes, overlooking the Solent.

One more race. One final Cowes gathering. ⛵The RORC Pursuit Race returns to Cowes on Saturday 19 September, bringing cre...
29/08/2026

One more race. One final Cowes gathering. ⛵

The RORC Pursuit Race returns to Cowes on Saturday 19 September, bringing crews together for one more competitive day on the Solent before the 2026 season draws to a close.

With slower-rated boats starting first and the faster yachts setting off in pursuit, the format gives teams from across the IRC fleet the chance to race directly against one another.

Whether you’re an established RORC crew, returning after North Sails Cowes Week, or looking to experience RORC racing for the first time, all are welcome.

And the day doesn’t finish at the dock. Racing will be followed by the RORC End of Season Prize Giving at the Cowes Clubhouse — celebrating the season’s leading crews, medallion winners and another memorable year of RORC racing.

🏆 Racing on the Solent
🥂 End of Season Prize Giving
📍 RORC Cowes Clubhouse
📅 Saturday 19 September

Entries are open via SailRaceHQ — link in bio.

The long way home 🏁The 50th anniversary RORC Round Britain and Ireland Race has come to a close after delivering stories...
28/08/2026

The long way home 🏁

The 50th anniversary RORC Round Britain and Ireland Race has come to a close after delivering stories right across the fleet.

Pace took the biggest prize with Monohull Line Honours and IRC Overall victory. Swift won Class40 after an incredible battle with Penfret and Gambit. Pata Negra, Sky Business - Game On and Jetpack all claimed major class wins.

But this race has always been about more than results. It has been about young sailors stepping up, Corinthian crews taking on a huge offshore challenge, broken gear, wildlife encounters, family teams, exhausted finishes, and every boat that made the long way home to Cowes.

Congratulations to all the winners, finishers and crews who made the 2026 race such a memorable one. 🌊

Full story: https://www.roundbritainandireland.rorc.org/-rorc-round-britain-and-ireland-the-long-way-home

Finishing the RORC Round Britain and Ireland Race is a serious achievement in itself. 🏁After nearly 2,000 miles around B...
27/08/2026

Finishing the RORC Round Britain and Ireland Race is a serious achievement in itself. 🏁

After nearly 2,000 miles around Britain and Ireland, every arrival in Cowes tells its own story: long nights, big miles, tired crews, shared relief, and the satisfaction of bringing the boat safely home. 🌊

Line honours and class wins matter, but in a race of this scale, crossing the finish line is its own kind of victory.

Congratulations to every boat and every crew who completed the course. 👏

Your Way Into Offshore Racing: Griffin Pathway 2027 🌊⛵️Want to race offshore at a higher level, but not sure how to take...
25/08/2026

Your Way Into Offshore Racing: Griffin Pathway 2027 🌊⛵️

Want to race offshore at a higher level, but not sure how to take the next step?

The RORC Griffin Offshore Pathway gives ambitious young sailors aged 18-30 the chance to train, race and develop through coaching, mentoring, structured preparation and real offshore racing opportunities.

You do not need a long offshore CV to apply. Griffin is looking for sailors with the attitude, commitment, teamwork and potential to make the most of the opportunity. Dinghy sailors, keelboat racers, students, club sailors and those already taking their first steps offshore can all have something to offer.

In 2026, more than 100 young sailors were involved in the Griffin Pathway, with sailors gaining experience through training weekends, RORC racing and major offshore opportunities.

Applications for the 2027 Griffin Offshore Pathway will open for two weeks after the launch webinar on 22 September 2026 at 19:00.

Register for the webinar to find out more about the programme, the commitment required and how the selection process will work 👇

https://www.rorc.org/your-way-into-offshore-racing-griffin-pathway-2027

Jetpack powers to IRC Three victory as British Soldier completes the mission 🏁Mark Brown’s JPK 1010 Jetpack has finished...
24/08/2026

Jetpack powers to IRC Three victory as British Soldier completes the mission 🏁

Mark Brown’s JPK 1010 Jetpack has finished the RORC Round Britain and Ireland Race as provisional winner of IRC Three, after a huge lap of Britain and Ireland built on careful preparation, committed crew work and plenty of camaraderie onboard.

For Brown and the Jetpack team, the race began as an idea over a few drinks at the RORC Annual Dinner. Nearly two weeks later, they are back in Cowes with a class win from one of offshore racing’s toughest courses.

Fujitsu British Soldier has also crossed the line, completing the Army Sailing Association’s fifth campaign in the race. Skipper Will Naylor described the Round Britain and Ireland Race as “the sailors’ ultra-marathon”, and this year’s campaign delivered a proper test of teamwork, resilience and seamanship.

The crew also carried out one of the most memorable moments of the race, helping exhausted barn owl Little Regina after she landed onboard around 70 miles offshore.

From class wins to long-awaited finishes, Cowes continues to welcome tired but jubilant crews home. 🌊

Full story: https://ow.ly/k6sS50ZEX1t


📸 RORC / Trish Jenkins / James Tomlinson

Another crew safely home ⛵️🏁 Congratulations to the Army Sailing Association’s Fujitsu British Soldier, which completed ...
22/08/2026

Another crew safely home ⛵️🏁

Congratulations to the Army Sailing Association’s Fujitsu British Soldier, which completed the 1,805-nautical-mile lap of Britain and Ireland overnight.

Skipper Will Naylor and his crew overcame everything the course threw at them, including an early tiller repair, to complete the team’s fifth RORC Round Britain and Ireland Race.

Of course, their race also brought one very unexpected story. Around 70 miles off the East Coast, the crew rescued an exhausted barn owl from the sea and cared for her onboard until she could be safely transferred ashore. 🦉

Swipe to the final slide for the latest on Little Reg—now also known as Little Regina.

She remains very weak and emaciated, but is safely in the care of the RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre, where she is receiving fluids, nutrition, warmth and plenty of rest.

Her fight continues, but she is in expert hands. 💙

Celebrations at RORC as the Long Way Home Delivers Its Stories 🥂⛵️Over the past 24 hours, the Competitors’ Live Blog has...
21/08/2026

Celebrations at RORC as the Long Way Home Delivers Its Stories 🥂⛵️

Over the past 24 hours, the Competitors’ Live Blog has captured the two contrasting faces of the RORC Round Britain and Ireland Race. Exhausted crews are celebrating at the RORC Cowes Clubhouse, while those farther back continue to battle heavy seas, strong winds and the seemingly endless miles towards home.

The closest contest of the race so far came from Sky Business – Game On and Kestrel, whose 1,805-nautical-mile duel developed into an extraordinary match race between two double-handed teams.

Kestrel crossed the Royal Yacht Squadron finish line at 02:10:15 BST on Friday, just 45 seconds ahead of Sky Business – Game On. However, Ian Hoddle and Willow Bland’s slightly lower IRC rating moved Game On ahead after time correction, provisionally securing both IRC Two and IRC Two-Handed.

Simon Bamford and Zeb Fellows took provisional second place in both divisions. Remarkably, the two boats are also provisionally third and fourth overall under IRC. Sam White and Nathan Steffenoni’s Mzungu! completed the provisional IRC Two-Handed podium after finishing shortly before 06:00.

Full story: https://ow.ly/n36z50ZCux3

Day 12: Rush Hour, Match Racing and Little Regina 🦉❤️Sam Hall's Lombard 46 Pata Negra completed the RORC Round Britain a...
20/08/2026

Day 12: Rush Hour, Match Racing and Little Regina 🦉❤️

Sam Hall's Lombard 46 Pata Negra completed the RORC Round Britain and Ireland Race in the early hours of Thursday morning, provisionally winning IRC One after a compelling race-long battle with Challenge Ocean.

Pata Negra completed the 1,805-nautical-mile course in 10 days, 11 hours, 36 minutes and 48 seconds. Valdo Dhoyer's French Volvo 60 Challenge Ocean followed in an elapsed time of 10 days, 11 hours, 50 minutes and 29 seconds, just 13 minutes and 41 seconds behind.

Rush hour is now approaching Cowes, with numerous teams expected to finish throughout today, Thursday 20 August and into the night. Two Sun Fast 3300s are locked in a battle for both the IRC Two and IRC Two-Handed title, while extraordinary stories continue to arrive from the fleet through the Competitors' Live Blog.

Pata Negra needs little introduction to followers of RORC racing. The team has finished on the podium in the RORC Transatlantic Race, RORC Caribbean 600 and numerous races in the RORC Season's Points Championship. The boat won the race overall in 2018. However, this was the first RORC Round Britain and Ireland Race for the Lombard 46 under the stewardship of Andrew and Sam Hall.

Full story: https://rorc.org/day-12-rush-hour-match-racing-and-little-regina

20/08/2026

🦉 70 miles offshore, a barn owl landed on a racing yacht

During the RORC Round Britain and Ireland Race, the Fujitsu British Soldier team spotted something extraordinary.

A barn owl, completely exhausted, was trying to land on the boat.

It first tried to land on Monty, one of the crew, then on top of the mast, before falling into the sea three times. Each time, it fought its way back.

Eventually it made it onto the side deck, where the crew gently covered it with a towel, brought it below, and gave it food, water and warmth.

The crew posted: “We have an extra crew member for the latter parts of the race. An exhausted barn owl that we are nursing back to health. It’s currently sleeping soundly and recovering. Found 70 miles offshore 😮 noting we should finish with the same number of crew as started, someone is going to have to walk the plank!”

They called the bird little Reg, after a nickname used for soldiers in Mark Petherbridge’s regiment, because it simply refused to give up.

The sailors made contact with James and Lowenna at the Barn Owl Trust, who helped coordinate a rescue mission ashore.

Dan Goldsmith of Marine and Wildlife Rescue stayed up through the night planning the handover near Great Yarmouth, before Caister Lifeboat came out to collect little Reg.

After 24 hours onboard, little Reg was safely transferred ashore.

Barn owls don’t have waterproof feathers. If it had been caught in rain, or couldn’t get back to the yacht, this could have ended very differently.

Huge thanks to the crew of Fujitsu British Soldier, the British Army Sailing Association, the Barn Owl Trust, Dan Goldsmith and Marine and Wildlife Rescue, and Caister Lifeboat for getting little Reg safely back to shore.

Fly on, little Reg 🦉💙

Marine and Wildlife Rescue | Caister Lifeboat | RSPB | British Army | Barn Owl Trust | RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre

20/08/2026

Onboard views from TIGRIS as Gavin Howe and Maggie Adamson keep pushing on in the RORC Round Britain and Ireland Race 🎥🌊

At 08:15 BST this morning, the Sun Fast 3600 was making 4.6 knots with 157.1 NM still to go, currently sitting 4th in IRC Two-Handed and 11th in IRC Overall.

Plenty of race still ahead.


📸 Maggie Adamson

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London
SW1A 1NN

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+44 207 493 2248

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