2027 will mark a special birthday for the world’s leading high performance owner-driver one designs – the 44Cup. In the mid-2000s, triple America’s Cup-winning skipper Russell Coutts collaborated with Slovenian yacht designer Andrej Justin to create the RC44, designed for high-performance racing. The RC44 has thrived over the past two decades, visiting venues including Oman, Dubai, the Canary Islands, and Miami.
To celebrate its 20th anniversary, the 44Cup will introduce new venues following its events in Fuerteventura, Sardinia, and Cartagena in 2026. The RC44 fleet will be shipped to Antigua & Barbuda for two events from January 27 to March 9. Antigua is renowned as the spiritual home of yacht racing in the Caribbean, hosting events like Antigua Sailing Week since 1968.
The fleet will be based in Falmouth Harbour for the January event and will return to Antigua in March for more racing at English Harbour, specifically in the historic Nelson’s Dockyard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Minister of Tourism Hon. Charles Henry Fernandez expressed pride in welcoming the 44Cup, highlighting its positive impact on local tourism and the economy.
After its Caribbean events, the circuit will return to Europe, with the popular Marstrand venue hosting its 15th event in early August. The highlight of the season will be the annual World Championship at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in Porto Cervo, Sardinia, where a special dinner will be held for past competitors to celebrate the class’s legacy.
The 2027 44Cup concludes in La Palma, Canary Islands, where the class will host its final event. The Calero family, long-time supporters of the 44Cup, will facilitate the event at Marina La Palma. Managing Director Jose Juan Calero remarked on their long-standing relationship with the RC44 class, making this a meaningful conclusion to the 20th anniversary celebrations.
44CUP 2027 EVENT SCHEDULE:
27 – 31 January 44Cup Falmouth Marina, Antigua and Barbuda
3 – 7 March 44Cup Nelson’s Dockyard, Antigua and Barbuda
4 – 8 August 44Cup Marstrand, Sweden
21 – 26 September RC44 20th Anniversary & 44Cup 2027 World Championship
Porto Cervo, Sardinia
3 – 7 November 44Cup Marina La Palma, Canary Islands
#44Cup #RC44 #SailingEvents #YachtRacing #CaribbeanSailing
Interested in seeing more Racing News? Click here
