The 2026 RORC Transatlantic Race is set to begin from Marina Lanzarote on Sunday 11 January. Organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club in association with the International Maxi Association and Yacht Club de France, this event will see 21 teams undertake a 3,000 nautical-mile voyage across the Atlantic to Antigua.
This race serves as both a start and a significant highlight on the global offshore racing calendar, with key support from entities like Calero Marinas and the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority. Trophies will be awarded in multiple classes, alongside line honours prizes.
All participating monohulls will line up for the start near Arrecife at 1230 UTC+0 on the day of the race, followed by multihulls at 1240. The boats will first navigate around a turning mark off Puerto Calero before heading into the Atlantic. The fleet is composed of cutting-edge monohulls and high-performance multihulls, encompassing a myriad of crew goals and ambitions. Racing crews represent 19 different nations. The quickest boats might reach Antigua in less than seven days, while slower racers may take over two weeks.
The overall winner will be awarded the prestigious RORC Transatlantic Race Trophy, calculated via IRC corrected time, which is a standard measurement in offshore racing. The first maxi yacht to finish will earn the IMA Transatlantic Trophy, while the Multihull Line Honours Trophy will be granted to the fastest multihull.
Among the entrants, attention is drawn to the new 50-footer Palanad 4, and its owner Antoine Magre, who has previously won the RORC Transatlantic Race. Magre’s aim for this race is straightforward: to go as fast as possible, leveraging smart weather calls and crew strengths. Other notable competitors include James Neville’s Ino Noir, which promises to excel with its tactical and technical approach.
In the multihull bracket, all eyes are on the trimarans Argo and Zoulou, recognised for their exhilarating speed and competitive history. The race promises intense competition, especially if it evolves into a downwind drag race.
The battle for Monohull Line Honours is equally anticipated, with boats like the Baltic 111 Raven likely to make waves due to its radical design and previous experience across the Atlantic. New entrants such as Swan 128 Be Cool and Hoek TC128 Linnea Aurora will also vie for top positions under IRC and Superyacht Class Trophy categories.
The unique character of this year’s race is underscored by its finish location in Antigua, offering a springboard into further Caribbean racing activities, establishing multiple opportunities for participant teams to engage in additional competitive events.
The race is projected to roll off from Marina Lanzarote on 11 January, with a well-rounded atmosphere of competition, personal triumph, and racing camaraderie on the horizon.
For those interested, detailed satellite tracking will be accessible as the race progresses. Further updates and race specifics are available through the official race website.
For more information about the event and entries, please visit the official RORC Transatlantic Race site.
Louay Habib/RORC
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