De Guingand Bowl & IRC 2H Championship Preview

RORC De Guingand Bowl Race
Start : 0900 BST Saturday May 17th, 2025
Course : Cowes – Around Marks (110-160nm)
Organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club in association with the Royal Yacht Squadron.

Sun Fast 3200 Cora © Paul Wyeth/RORC

The RORC De Guingand Bowl Race marks the fifth race in the 2025 RORC Season’s Points Championship—the world’s largest offshore racing series. It also serves as Round One of the IRC Two-Handed National Championship and the second race in the exciting new RORC Cowes Offshore Racing Series. Over 75 boats are expected to be racing.

The De Guingand Bowl Race starts and finishes in the Solent, giving the RORC race team full flexibility to design a course that is both tactically challenging and strategically demanding. With no fixed route, the course is set the day before the start, allowing it to respond directly to the forecast and deliver the most dynamic racing possible.

De Guingand Bowl Entry List

RORC Fleet under spinnaker © Paul Wyeth/RORC

How to Follow the Race

• First Start: 09:00, Saturday 17th May

• Best Viewing: The Parade, Cowes — a spectacular sight with 75 boats on view.

• Race Tracking: All boats are fitted with satellite trackers, with live updates available throughout the race. YB Tracking Link – here . Also available on Android or iOS devices free from your App. store (YB Races).

• Follow Online: Near real-time results via www.SailRaceHQ.com.

• Social Media: #RORCRacing on many platforms including Facebook, Instagram and X.

RORC Cowes Fastnet Bar © Paul Wyeth/RORC

De Guingand Bowl Pre-Race Supper – Friday 16th May

A relaxed crew supper for competitors, family, and friends will be held at the RORC Cowes Clubhouse on Friday, 16th May from 19:30. It’s a great chance to connect ahead of the race start. Early booking is recommended: Book here.

About the De Guingand Bowl

The race is named after the great EP ‘Buster’ De Guingand, the highly influential former RORC Vice Commodore who helped mastermind the evolution of the IOR rule. Buster was a regular crew member on the famous 48ft Sibbick yawl Thalassa.

This year, the De Guingand Bowl Race is the second race of a new competition within the RORC Season’s Points Championship. The RORC Cowes Offshore Series counts the best five from seven races, all starting from Cowes, IOW.

A Historic Year for the RORC

2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the Royal Ocean Racing Club—a century of dedication to offshore racing and international yachting excellence. The 2025 racing season is packed with exciting events. In June we'll have the conclusion of the West-East Transatlantic Race, followed in July with the prestigious Rolex Fastnet Race where RORC celebrate 100 years since this famous race was first staged. The much-anticipated return of The Admiral's Cup will also be run in July and has attracted a world class fleet from around the globe.

For more information about the Royal Ocean Racing Club Centenary RORC Centenary Page