How to follow the 2018 RORC Caribbean 600

A record fleet of yachts from around the world will start the 10th edition of the 2018 RORC Caribbean 600 from Antigua on Monday 19th February.
A record fleet of yachts from around the world will start the 10th edition of the 2018 RORC Caribbean 600 from Antigua on Monday 19th February.
As part of the Performance 40 series for 2018 there will be a class start at the Vice Admirals Cup in May.
The Easter Challenge, RORC’s popular training regatta will take place from the 30th March – 1st April this year.
A spectacular start in Antigua is expected on Monday 19th February as the record-breaking fleet of 88 boats sets off on the 10th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600
© ELWJ Photography
Eric de Turckheim's French Teasing Machine is one of eleven French boats competing in the RORC Caribbean 600 Race this year © RORC/Arthur Daniel
The Notice of Race for the 2018 IRC Double Handed National Championships has been released and is available to download here;
Stefan Jentzsch's German Carkeek 47 Black Pearl returns with his highly experienced race crew for the 10th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600 © Tim Wright/Photoaction.com
Entry opened for the IRC European Championship and Commodores’ Cup, and all RORC races on 8th January 2018
At midday on Monday 8th January 2018 entries opened for all Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) races, including the Season’s Points Championship comprised of 14 races, as well as the highlight of the UK Solent season - the IRC Europeans and Commodores’ Cup.
Competitors entering the IRC Europeans (8-16th June) are invited to form a team of three boats with members of their own yacht club or with boats from their region. Alternatively, contact the RORC Race Team who will provide a list of boats entered, but not yet part of a team.
The biggest contest in the 2018 RORC programme is the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race on Sunday 12th August. At 1,805 nautical miles, it is three times longer than a Fastnet Race and attracts experienced offshore sailors looking for a serious challenge. Starting and finishing in Cowes, it is on a four-year cycle due to the toughness of the race. Circumnavigating all the islands of the UK, including the most northerly point Muckle Flugga, it negotiates headlands with tidal challenges all around the UK and faces the notorious British weather.
The Royal Ocean Racing Club's UK domestic season fires up with the Easter Challenge (30th March to 1st April) and offers crews the chance to work on pre-season training and fine-tuning. With the relaxation of RRS41, the highlight of the event is the availability of a selection of experienced coaches on the water to assist with getting back up to speed.
For more information contact the RORC Race Team on: +44 (0)1983 295144, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
At noon on the 25th November 2017, after a week of boat preparation and much appreciated social activities at Marina Lanzarote in Arrecife, a record 23 yachts started the 2017 RORC Transatlantic Race bound for Grenada. Teams from nine different nations took part including: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands and the United States of America. Ludde Ingvall's Australian Maxi CQS took line honours and was awarded the International Maxi Association (IMA) Transatlantic Trophy. Eric de Turckheim's French Nivelt-Muratet 54 Teasing Machine was the overall winner under IRC, winning the RORC Transatlantic Race Trophy.
An unusually light southerly airstream greeted the competitors for the start, but the super-light conditions didn't last for long. A low pressure system to the north and a ridge of high pressure to the south blocked the way to the tradewinds and routed the fleet to the north of the rhumb line. After beating into rough seas for most of the second day, CQS was the first to make the dive south. After passing to the north of Tenerife trying to find a narrow gap through the high pressure ridge, CQS made short work of the transition zone to reach the tradewinds.
The 2018 race programme has been approved and the Notice of Race which includes World Sailing Special Regulations updates is available to download below;
On-line registration and entry for all RORC races through the Sailgate race management system, will open at mid-day on Monday 8th January 2018. Here is the link to the 2018 race calendar for your information.
We wish all our members and all who sail with us a successful and prosperous New Year.
The RORC was founded in 1925 to encourage long distance yacht racing and the design, building and navigation of sailing vessels in which speed and seaworthiness are combined. Today the club encourages ocean, long distance and other forms of yacht racing and yachting activity.