The RORC's UK season sets sail on the Solent this Good Friday with the three day long Easter Challenge.

As an indication that Britain is slowly extricating itself from recession, there are a few new boats in the Solent this year. Leading the charge in the RORC Easter Challenge fleet will be one of the most prominent: South African Mike Bartholomew's latest Tokoloshe. The familiar King 40, Tokoloshe, was replaced over the winter by a GP 42, previously Madrid, the Botin & Carkeek design that won the GP 42 class' final season on the Audi MedCup in 2010.

Under her new owner the boat has undergone substantial turboing with the addition of a 2.3m bowsprit, general enlarging of the sail plan and increased draft. However Bartholomew admits: "We are still busy optimising it for IRC. It is quite a learning curve."

This will be the Tokoloshe team's sixth RORC Easter Challenge, as Bartholomew puts it: "It is a lovely regatta, although sometimes it is bloody freezing. We've always enjoyed it." In fact this weekend's forecast looks bright, rain-free, with light to moderate northeasterlies forecast and a spring tide.

The RORC Transatlantic Race 2014 Notice of Race is now available to download from the race minisite.

Read the complete article on the RORC Transatlantic Race minisite [RORC Transatlantic Race: 2014 Notice of Race Available]

Coaching whilst racing over three days - Sign Up!

Friday 18^th - Sunday 20^th April 2014

There's still time to sign up to the season opener, the RORC Easter Challenge, which offers a unique training ground for owners and crews over a three-day inshore regatta starting on Good Friday. A new initiative for 2014 is the North U. Regatta Service that will enhance what is already a popular and unique coaching event in the UK.

"It will be a great service to the boats who want to improve their all-round performance ready for a full race season," says RORC Racing Manager, Nick Elliott.

The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) and Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, Cowes (RCYC, Cowes) have revealed plans to merge their operations and create one club with clubhouses both in London (RORC) and Cowes (RCYC).

The idea developed following a strategic decision by RORC to establish an administrative base outside London principally to cater for its growing race management team, which it requires to administer the increased number of races run by RORC. At the same time, RCYC, Cowes has been considering its own long-term future. The obvious benefits, besides complementary spheres of activity (RCYC, Cowes runs inshore keelboat and dayboat racing and the RORC offshore), are sound operational efficiencies, prime locations in London and Cowes for the enjoyment of its combined membership and a home in Cowes for the large number of sailors who race with RORC, plus a real opportunity to create a centre of excellence for yachting in Cowes.

The Interclub Youth Keel Boat National Championship, organised by The Royal Southern Yacht Club, is an event for youth teams where 60% of each team are no more than 25 years of age including the helm. The regatta is specifically targeted at bringing enthusiastic youth from all clubs to the bigger keel boat racing: that transition from dinghies to the bigger boat experience and is fostered to encourage youngsters to move up the scales.

14 yachts entered from 8 south coast yacht clubs with 6 yachts making the trip up from Poole representing Parkstone and Poole Yacht Clubs. The yachts ranged from 3 Elan 410s down to 3 J/70s, racing under Spinlock IRC and all very generously loaned by their owners for the event.

One of the first complete Scottish teams has emerged as the first GBR entry for the 2014 Brewin Dolphin Commodores' Cup hosted by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) at Cowes this July.

The Clyde based team consists of a group of committed owners who have been working throughout the winter in creating a team with a broad experience, that includes some of the leading professionals in recent event history.

Eala of Rhu, owned by Jamie McGarry and Colin Moore of the Royal Northern & Clyde have recruited Kevin Sproul, who sailed Keronimo to victory for GBR Red in the 2012 event. He joins Jon Fitzgerald in running the Swan 45 in the international IRC Regatta.

"It's fantastic to be involved with a prepared and organised Clyde based team this early in the year. It bodes well for a successful campaign." comments Kevin Sproul.

Read the complete article on the Brewin Dolphin Commodores' Cup minisite

Rick Tomlinson Photography Exhibition

Monday 31^st March - Thursday 17^th April 2014
RORC London Clubhouse

Renowned Photographer will be displaying some of his work at the Royal Ocean Racing Club, London. Visit the Club at any time during this three week period and see his stunning images from regattas and events from all over the World.

Rick Tomlinson made his name capturing the Southern Ocean at its most treacherous from the decks of various yachts in the Whitbread Round the World Race. He started with freelance pictures published in Yachting World and Seahorse in 1985 from Drum and finished his 4 Race Whitbread career with a commission from National Geographic onboard Team EF. Read more about Rick and his career here.

RORC Ladies Dinner

Thursday 10^th April 2014
RORC London Clubhouse 20 St. James's Place, London, SW1A 1NN
19.00

£40 per person includes drink on arrival followed by a three course menu with half a bottle of wine followed by tea & coffee.

The perfect opportunity to meet with other female sailors and members of the Club. Female guests of members are also welcome to attend.

To book please complete the booking form and return it via one of the following methods,
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; Fax: 0044 (0)207 493 5252; Tel: 0044 (0)207 493 2248

We look forward to seeing you there.

RORC Easter Challenge - Coaching whilst racing

Friday 18^th to Sunday 20^th April

The RORC Easter Challenge, a training regatta where boats can gain valuable coaching advice whilst racing from a team headed by coaching guru Jim Saltonstall, will this year be augmented by the support of North U Regatta Services.

North U. Regatta Service provides coaching and performance analysis at select events worldwide and RORC is delighted that the team will be present at the event in Cowes. The North U. team is led by Chuck Allen and Andreas Josenhans, who are both highly experienced sailing performance analysts based in the USA. The Regatta Services program includes on-the-water coaching tailored to sail trim and speed, followed by performance analysis debriefs in Cowes Yacht Haven Events Centre.

"AJ (Andreas Josenhans) and I use photos and aerial footage using a `drone' to analyse what happened on the race course," says Chuck Allen. "We can help teams to get the most out of their sail package and find the debrief sessions sparks great discussion between sailors. It's an opportunity for all competitors to up their game and improve their performance."

The International Maxi Association (IMA) has joined forces with the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) in the organisation of the inaugural RORC Transatlantic Race and will be awarding an exquisite vintage sterling silver trophy to the Line Honours winner.

The IMA invites the expanding Maxi fleet to a new format of a classic autumn competition, starting from Puerto Calero, Lanzarote on 29 November and racing 2,800 n miles across the Atlantic to the inviting waters of Grenada in the Caribbean.

IMA Secretary General, Andrew McIrvine is pleased with the RORC association for the race: