COWES, 1 December 2025 – With less than 50 days to go before the start of the 2026 RORC Transatlantic Race, 19 boats are entered for the 3,000 mile race from Marina Lanzarote to Antigua, West Indies, with more boats expected to join them.
A remarkable quartet of offshore boats can be counted among the favourites for the overall win under IRC for the RORC Transatlantic Race Trophy. Yves Grosjean’s Neo 430 NeoJivaro, James Neville’s Carkeek 45 Ino Noir, Xavier & Alexandre Bellouard’s Lift 45 Maxitude, and Antoine Magre’s Manuard 50 Palanad 4.
These contenders bring a blend of technical experimentation, design breakthroughs, and the drive to excel in an endurance race where average speed, reliability, and mental composure will define success.
For Yves Grosjean, finally making the start after a skiing accident forced him to miss the 2025 edition carries a sense of both excitement and belief. He states, “This is going to be our first RORC Transatlantic Race. We are looking forward to crossing the start line with great anticipation.” NeoJivaro, a 6-ton Giovanni Ceccarelli design, has already reached speeds of 28 knots. Grosjean’s crew is determined to balance human endurance with boat speed across the Atlantic. “Our preparation has revolved around the truth that human endurance is as important as boat speed,” he adds, emphasising the importance of recuperation and nutrition.
James Neville returns with Ino Noir, which finished third overall last time. After experiencing reliability challenges, Neville is focused on improving performance. He says, “The slowest speed is actually more important than the fastest. It’s about managing the boat, managing the chafe, and looking after the sails. It’s about consistency.” His crew, mostly British with a Spanish navigator, aims to maintain a steady performance without excessive wear on their equipment.
The Bellouard family’s technological edge comes with Maxitude, designed for efficiency. Xavier Bellouard is optimistic about their chances, saying, “We know people will be watching us closely, the boat surprised a lot of people during the Rolex Fastnet. It’s a design philosophy built on simplicity and joy for racing and cruising.” They hope their modern design philosophy resonates beyond racing.
Palanad 4 stands out as the only 50-footer among the favourites, with a minimalist design intended to maximise performance. Skipper Antoine Magre intends to leverage his previous experience with the race-winning predecessor, Palanad 3. “A laser-focused crew, a strong weather strategy and playing to the boat’s strengths will be crucial,” Magre states. His team has done extensive performance mapping to ensure efficient sailing from the onset.
Despite their distinct backgrounds and designs, all teams recognise that the path to victory is paved with critical moments, particularly during challenging conditions. As they head towards the race, their preparations reflect a mindset acknowledging the delicacies of endurance racing. They’ve focused on establishing routines to optimise performance across the 3,000 miles ahead, with all teams echoing the sentiment that the race isn’t merely a test of speed but of resilience and tactical brilliance.
Each of these contenders embodies a unique interpretation of modern offshore racing and collectively represents a wealth of experience, innovation, and ambition. The RORC Transatlantic Race starts from Marina Lanzarote on 11th January 2026.
For online entry and more information: https://rorctransatlantic.rorc.org/
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