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:

On the 24th February the start gun will fire from Fort Charlotte, Antigua, and the largest fleet of yachts ever to race offshore in the Caribbean will begin their high speed adventure. Racing around 11 Caribbean islands with warm breeze both day and night, coupled with adrenalin-pumping surf conditions, the RORC Caribbean 600 is designed to thrill.

The First Corner

Starting on the leeward side of Antigua, the upwind start takes the fleet past some of the most spectacular bays and cliffs of Antigua. Tactically, inshore gives relief from current, but in recent months there has been a tendency to get a lift offshore. It has also been exceptionally windy in Antigua since December; be prepared for 3 metre swell. A cracking start into heavy seas will soon dispel any thoughts of an easy trip.

Read the full article on the RORC Caribbean 600 minisite.

With 65 entries, a record entry for the sixth RORC Caribbean 600 is a certainty and right through the fleet the quality and character of the yachts and sailors is strong and deep. The Royal Ocean Racing Club was founded to encourage long distance yacht racing across a broad spectrum and the RORC Caribbean 600 is a fine example of that ethos. 32 different makes of yacht, flying the flags of 11 different countries, will be crewed by passionate amateurs and world famous sailors.

Battle for Line Honours

George David's Maxi, Rambler 90, is the main contender to take the first gun at Fort Charlotte. Rambler 90 is well designed for the twists and turns around the course and very fast at every point of sail. Rambler's crew is exceptionally talented and includes Peter Isler, Jerry and Rome Kirby, Brad Jackson and Jan Dekker - and this is just mentioning the winners of the America's Cup and Volvo Ocean Race! All of the crew have amazing talent and Rambler has two powerhouses in the shape of Joe Fanelli and Nathan Hislop, two of sailing's strongest men.

Bertrand De Broc's IMOCA 60, VNAM, is another hot contender for line honours. Last year, De Broc competed in both the Vendée Globe and Transat Jacques Vabre. The French skipper has also excelled in shorter offshore races with 13 Solitaire du Figaro and 8 Tour de France à la Voile, winning the race around France twice. VNAM will be surfing off the wind in big breeze - the light displacement 2007 Finot Conq design is capable of demolishing the course and the opposition.

You can read the full article on the RORC Caribbean 600 minisite.

Grenada has been chosen by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) as the destination for the finish of the 2,800 nm east-west race across the Atlantic.

Grenada Tourism Authority with Camper and Nicholsons Marinas, will host the first edition of the race starting on November 29th 2014 from Puerto Calero, Lanzarote.

Warm Spice Island Welcome

The Caribbean Island of Grenada is on the southern tip of the chain of islands known as the Windward Isles and the gateway to the stunning cruising area of the Grenadines. The chain of over 600 islands extends between Grenada in the south and St Vincent to the north.

Camper and Nicholsons Marinas are supporting the race by giving all finishers free berthing after arrival and discounted berthing for those who wish to stay for an extended period. The boats will be berthed in Port Louis Marina in St George's, the island's capital.

Grenada's Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Hon. Alexandra Otway-Noel said: "The beautiful island of Grenada, with its quality infrastructure and welcoming people has been ready to entertain a partner as prestigious as RORC for some years. Being chosen as host country for the first running of this new race across the Atlantic firmly establishes our island as a destination of choice for yachting events in the Caribbean, from now on."

"The RORC is delighted with the enthusiastic support we've received from both the Grenada Tourism Authority and Camper and Nicholsons Marinas and I know competitors will receive a warm welcome when they arrive on this beautiful island. The race with time will attract a large and competitive fleet who want a real challenge and strong competition in a warm water race to the Caribbean and the Island of Grenada has all the facilities to service these yachts," commented RORC Commodore, Mike Greville.

Read the complete Article on the RORC Transatlantic Race minisite

Class40 Tradition Guadeloupe, skippered by Willy Bissainte, was the 60th yacht to enter the 6th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600. Tradition Guadeloupe's sail number is also 6 so this may be a lucky entry for those with a superstitious nature!

In 2010, Willy Bissainte steered Tradition Guadeloupe through the finish line after the prizegiving. It was a slow race for all, but the tenacious Guadeloupian skipper had refused to give up and was the last boat to finish. In contrast this year the trade winds have been blowing almost continuously in Antigua since early December and the long term forecast for the 2014 edition of the race is for the strong easterly winds to continue.

Read the complete article on the RORC Caribbean minisite. [RORC Caribbean 600: 60 for the 600]

Ireland is in pursuit of the Brewin Dolphin Commodores' Cup once again, having tasted victory in the 2010 contest.

The team is set to make a comeback in the international offshore regatta for national teams, organised by The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) and staged at Cowes from July 19th to 26th.

Heading Team Ireland as Captain of the three-boat squad is seasoned campaigner Anthony O'Leary from the Royal Cork Yacht Club. He led the 2010 team to their first major Irish victory on the Solent and will participate with his Ker 39, Antix.

"We are delighted to have the opportunity to return to the Brewin Dolphin Commodores' Cup and are looking forward to competing in what we believe to be one of the most challenging of events in the sailing calendar. We were all very disappointed to miss out in 2012 and are really looking forward to next July in the Solent," comments O'Leary.

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

Online entry for The Royal Ocean Racing Club's 2014 season is now open and Ian Walker's Volvo Ocean 65 Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing was quick off the mark to confirm its participation with Azzam (Determination) in the RORC's toughest race of the year - The Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race.

The 1802nm course, starting on Sunday 10^th August, is the ultimate test of endurance for sailors and has been supported by leading Dutch specialist yacht transport company Sevenstar since 2006. Starting and finishing in Cowes, Isle of Wight, the race takes competitors non-stop around the breathtaking coastline of Britain and Ireland. Memorable landmarks include the most northerly lighthouse - Muckle Flugga, a small rocky island north of Unst in the Shetland Islands, Scotland.

Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing First to Sign Up

Britain's twice Olympic silver medallist Ian Walker will skipper the Volvo Ocean 65, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racingin the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race prior to their second successive Volvo Ocean Race 2014-2015:

"This will be my first Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race and I can't wait to take part in our new Volvo 65. It will be an excellent training run just before the start of the Volvo Ocean Race which starts in October. Racing is always more demanding closer to land with headlands, tidal issues, wind effects and all the resulting sail changes. This will be a tough test for Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing at just the right time," comments Skipper, Ian Walker.

The organisers of Volvo Ocean Race confirmed that the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race is part of their pre-race programme. This will give all teams the chance to compete for the first time against each other, offering valuable crew training and boat preparation before the start of their round the world race from Alicante, Spain in October 2014.

Read the complete article on the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race Minisite

The 6^th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600 is proving irresistible to yacht racing teams from all over the world. An international fleet of over 40 yachts has now entered the race and around 50 are expected on the start line on Monday 24^th February.

The northern hemisphere is currently experiencing some of the worst winter weather on record but well over 500 sailors are rubbing their hands together, relishing the prospect of racing around 11 Caribbean islands against highly competitive opposition.

The Caribbean is, without doubt, one of yacht racing's most exhilarating playgrounds as warm trade winds and Caribbean swell provide superb sailing conditions. The RORC Caribbean 600 course, starting and finishing in Antigua, is designed to provide a challenging, high speed racetrack and its popularity has grown, year on year, since 2009.

Read the complete article on the RORC Caribbean 600 Minisite

Happy New Year!

The RORC is pleased to announce that REMUS will be open for entries for the 2014 season from midday Monday 13th January 2014.

2014 is set to be a very busy year's racing with the RORC. The calendar contains a full roster of domestic races alongside our inshore events, the RORC Easter Challenge and IRC National Championship. For the intrepid sailor there will be two 1800nm+ offshore races, including the test of endurance that is the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race and the inaugural RORC Transatlantic Race.

You can view the full RORC schedule here.

Notice of Race

You can start planning your season now as Parts 1 and 2 of the 2014 Notice of Race are available to download here.

ISAF Special Regulations will be added in due course, but you can also find these on the ISAF website here.

RORC Caribbean 600

With 43 entries and counting, there is still time to enter the RORC Caribbean 600 which starts on Monday 24th February 2014. Enter before the Closing Date to secure a place without a late entry fee!

Organised by the Royal Cape Yacht Club
Start: January 4th 2014
Course: Cape Town to Rio de Janeiro - 3300nm
ISAF Offshore regulations Category 1
IRC, IRC Double Handed and Multihull Fleets.

The Cape to Rio Race sponsored by Xtra-Link and organised by the Royal Cape Yacht Club is one of the world's oldest, longest and toughest ocean races.

36 yachts will cast off from Cape Town on January 4th with crew from all over the world. A variety of yachts will be flying the flags of eight different countries; Angola, Australia, Croatia, Germany, Great Britain, India, Italy and South Africa.

The rhum line is 3300 miles across the Southern Atlantic, the vast expanse of desolate ocean is notorious for high winds and big seas and tactically there are many strategic decisions right from the start. Leaving Table Bay, the shallow waters of the African continental shelf and the wind shadow from Table Mountain can create a mogul field of confused Atlantic swell. About 200 miles into the race, the fleet must negotiate the South Atlantic High. Deep into the South Atlantic, mountainous seas can rear up, propelled by ocean currents and storm force winds are a common.

The finish in Rio de Janeiro can be tense, land effects can cause sudden changes in the wind and waves. A shifty light breeze with a confused sea state is a likely scenario to conclude a long and arduous race. Many of the yachts will spend over two weeks at sea, the Cape to Rio Race is a true test of seamanship, perseverance and determination.