_{Celebrations on board Johannes Schwarz’s Volvo 70 Green Dragon after winning the IMA Trophy and Monohull Line Honours in the RORC Transatlantic Race - Finishing in an elapsed time of 9 days, 18 hours, 53 mins and 40 secs © Ed Gifford/RORC}

Johannes Schwarz’s Volvo 70 Green Dragon crossed the finish line of the 7^th edition of the RORC Transatlantic Race at 04:53 UTC in an elapsed time of 9 days, 18 hours, 53 mins and 40 secs. Green Dragon wins the IMA Trophy and takes Monohull Line Honours for the RORC Transatlantic Race. Olivier Magre’s Class40 Palanad 3 was less than five hours behind completing the 2735-mile race in a phenomenal elapsed time of 10 days, 1 hour, 43 mins and 18 secs. For the moment, Palanad 3 have scored the best corrected time under IRC for the RORC Transatlantic Race Trophy.

Green Dragon becomes the seventh boat to win the International Maxi Association’s IMA Trophy. Whilst this year’s race is a different route, Green Dragon is the first monohull to complete the RORC Transatlantic Race in under 10 days. The Secretary General of the IMA, Andrew McIrvine commented: “Congratulations and best wishes from the IMA to Johannes and the Green Dragon team. We are sorry not to able to greet you, as we would have in more usual times, but we hope you enjoyed the race.”

_{Crossing the finish line in Antigua at full speed - Multihull Line Honours in the RORC Transatlantic Race for Oren Nataf’s Multi50 Trimaran Rayon Vert, skippered by Alex Pella © Ed Gifford/RORC}

Oren Nataf’s Multi50 Trimaran Rayon Vert, skippered by Alex Pella crossed the finish line of the 7^th edition of the RORC Transatlantic Race at 13:33 UTC in an elapsed time of 9 days, 3 hours, 33 mins and 19 secs.

Racing Two-Handed across the Atlantic in under 10 days is a remarkable achievement. Rayon Vert crossed the finish line at full speed, surfing in the Caribbean swell. Helen Spooner, who has organised the volunteers for every edition of the RORC Caribbean 600, greeted the pair with the assistance of the Antigua & Barbuda Coastguard. Oren and Alex were all smiles, receiving ice cold beers after finishing the 2,735-mile race from Puerto Calero, Lanzarote, Canary Islands.

_{Luke Berry on Olivier Magre’s Class40 Palanad 3 reports in from the RORC Transatlantic Race and the perils of Sargassum seaweed @luke_berry_sailing/@palanad3_sailingteam - RORC YouTube - https://youtu.be/cmIsrUeq1Bo}

The RORC Transatlantic Race reaches an exciting stage on the ninth day with the leading boats closing in on the finish line in Antigua. Oren Nataf’s Multi50 Trimaran Rayon Vert, skippered by Alex Pella was under 400 miles from the finish and expected to take Multihull Line Honours on Monday 18th January. Johannes Schwarz’s Volvo 70 Green Dragon is leading the race for Monohull Line Honours and was approximately 500 miles from Antigua.

Olivier Magre’s Class40 Palanad 3 was just 60 miles behind Green Dragon and is expected to finish the 2,735 nautical mile race in just over 10 days - lightning-quick for a 40-footer. “The boat is going fast!” commented Palanad 3’s Luke Berry. “The only problem we have is the seaweed. We clean the rudder after a gybe, but have also resorted to taking the kite down and trying to sail backwards. All is good, so we mustn’t complain!”

On the seventh day of the RORC Transatlantic Race the leading boats were approximately 1,000 miles from the finish in Antigua. All of the boats have encountered thrilling downwind conditions in solid ENE trade winds, creating superb oceanic racing conditions.

The Mid-Atlantic battle is led by Oren Nataf’s Multi50 Trimaran Rayon Vert, skippered by Alex Pella, which is 1,038 miles from the finish. Olivier Magre’s Class40 Palanad 3 is the leading monohull with 1,097 miles to go. However, Johannes Schwarz’s Volvo 70 Green Dragon is closing the gap and is now just 10n miles behind Palanad 3. Antoine Carpentier’s Class40 Redman is also closing in on the monohull leader and the most southerly boat of the fleet.

_{Oren Nataf’s Multi50 Trimaran Rayon Vert, skippered by Alex Pella is halfway and leading the fleet in the RORC Transatlantic Race © James Mitchell/RORC}

On the fifth day of the RORC Transatlantic Race all of the competing yachts are fully offshore in the Atlantic Ocean. Life on board will have found a rhythm to the corkscrew motion of surfing downwind for days on end. Oren Nataf’s Multi50 Trimaran Rayon Vert, skippered by Alex Pella is leading the fleet and they will be celebrating having crossed the halfway mark in the 2,735-mile race from Lanzarote to the Caribbean. Rayon Vert’s skipper Pella is very much at home in the Atlantic. The Spaniard has won both the Route du Rhum and the Transat Jacques Vabre.

_{Black Pearl IRC56 © James Mitchell/RORC}

Day Two Report - 10 January 2021

The IRC56 Black Pearl, sailed by Stefan Jentzsch, contacted the RORC Race Management Team at 11:30 UTC on 10th January to report that Black Pearl is retiring from the race and heading back to Lanzarote. All are well on board. Black Pearl was approximately 20 miles west of the island of El Hierro, some 250 miles from Lanzarote. The RORC Race Team and Marina Puerto Calero will be standing by should Black Pearl require any assistance.

_{Start of the 2021 RORC Transatlantic Race from Puerto Calero, Lanzarote .The fleet, including Class40 Palanad 3, Black Pearl IRC56 and Rayon Vert will race 2,735 nm to the Caribbean in the 7th edition of the race © James Mitchell/RORC}

The 2021 RORC Transatlantic Race started in glorious conditions outside Marina Puerto Calero on Saturday 9th January.

With the RORC Racing Management Team operating remotely, the race start was officiated by Manuel Torres, Sporting Director, Real Club Náutico de Arrecife. 

With a highly experienced team from the Royal Yacht Club, the RORC fleet got away to a spectacular reaching start for the 7th edition of the race.

Forty eight hours before the 7th RORC Transatlantic Race starts on Saturday January 9th from Puerto Calero, Lanzarote, Marc Lagesse, the navigator for the IRC56 Black Pearl, spoke about the new water-ballasted sloop from the drawing board of Botin Partners. Just three days before the start, Black Pearl with Stefan Jentzsch on the helm, went out for a training session in 35 knots of wind. Watch the video interview with stunning footage of the brand new ocean-going speed-machine!

The 7th edition of the RORC Transatlantic Race in association with the International Maxi Association is set to start on January 9th from Puerto Calero, Lanzarote. The fascination of racing across the Atlantic Ocean is shared by a variety of offshore sailors, from professional teams racing the latest designs, to passionate amateurs fulfilling their dreams.

The 2021 RORC Transatlantic Race will feature two virtually identical Class40s from the drawing board of the highly acclaimed designer Sam Manuard. Both Redman and Palanad 3 were launched in 2020 and are very capable of taking line honours for the race. With a scow bow, massive sail plan and the latest in high tech systems, both are capable of completing the 2,735-mile race in just 10 days.

The seventh edition of the RORC Tragnsatlantic Race will start from Calero Marinas Puerto Calero, Lanzarote, Canary Islands on Saturday 9th January 2021 © James Mitchell

The 2021 RORC Transatlantic Race - in association with the International Maxi Association - is scheduled to start from Puerto Calero, Lanzarote on January 9th, 2021. Ten teams have sailed from European destinations to take part in the 2,735-mile race across the Atlantic Ocean. Due to travel restrictions from the UK, the Royal Ocean Racing Club is operating remotely, relying on the expert abilities of the Calero Marinas’ team and the race officers of Real Club Náutico de Arrecife in Lanzarote.

Change of date - The 7th edition of the RORC Transatlantic Race will start on Saturday 9th January 2021 from Calero Marinas Puerto Calero, Lanzarote © James Mitchell/Calero Marinas

The Royal Ocean Racing Club have announced a new start date for the 7^th edition of the RORC Transatlantic Race.  Traditionally held in November each year from Lanzarote to Grenada, the next edition will start from Calero Marinas Puerto Calero on the 9^th January 2021 and once again finish at Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina in Grenada. This date change is the most significant of a number of subtle changes the RORC is making to its Season Points Championships, which includes making the Rolex Middle Sea Race the first points race in the Championships, not the last, and also changes to the points factors for certain offshore races.

Overall winners, Jangada, approaching the finish line at Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina, Grenada - Photo © RORC / Arthur Daniel

The 2019 RORC Transatlantic Race was an epic 3,000nm race in the wild blue Atlantic Ocean. Childhood 1 posted a 400nm 24-hour run on the way to taking line honours. There was high drama with a man overboard on Jangada, the smallest boat in the race, which was racing doublehanded. The crewman was recovered and Jangada went on to win the race overall under IRC, becoming the smallest yacht to win the race, and the first heroic win for a Two Handed team. All of the yachts received a fantastic send off from Marina Lanzarote and a warm welcome in Grenada from Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina.

The 6th edition of the RORC Transatlantic Race, in association with the International Maxi Association (IMA), started from Calero Marinas - Marina Lanzarote on Saturday 23 November 2019 bound for Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina, Grenada. Prior to the start of the 3,000 nautical mile race, a full programme of social activities included a welcome reception hosted by the Real Club Náutico de Arrecife and a gala dinner in the stunning surroundings of the unique volcanic caverns of Jameos del Agua.

Richard Palmer's British JPK 10.10 Jangada was presented with the RORC Transatlantic Trophy in Grenada at a ceremony and prize-giving banquet held at Camper & Nicholsons' Victory Bar and Restaurant. Racing two-handed with Jeremy Waitt, Jangada scored the best corrected time under IRC to win the race overall and completed the 3,000nm race in 17 days 10 hrs 11 mins 06 secs. Jangada is the first two-handed team to win the antique sterling silver trophy, as well as the smallest boat to do so.

“This win absolutely exceeded all our expectations – a great start to the season!” commented Jangada’s owner, Richard Palmer. “The competition out there certainly gave us a run for our money - Childhood 1 was doing 20 knots and we could never match that speed, and Pata Negra 12 knots, but we just said bring it on and we raced hard all the way to the finish. Persistence and perseverance were the key to keep going for each three-hour watch. It was hard work but it paid off. It is absolutely fabulous to be back at Port Louis Marina in Grenada. We were here two years ago and we are looking forward to celebrating for a few days.”

Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina © RORC/Arthur Daniel

Benedikt Clauberg's Swiss First 47.7 Kali finished the RORC Transatlantic Race on 11 December, completing the 3,000nm race in 18 days 08 hours 28 mins and 18 secs. Kali was competing for the second year in a row and beat their finish time for 2018 by nearly 18 hours.

Richard Palmer and Jeremy Waitt celebrate dockside at Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina © RORC/Arthur Daniel

Jangada, Richard Palmer's JPK 1010 racing two-handed with Jeremy Waitt, crossed the finish line outside Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina, Grenada on Tuesday 10th December, 2019 at 21:11:06 UTC. Their elapsed time was 17 days 10 hours 11 mins 06 secs.

All smiles in Grenada - Andy Lis and the young crew racing on Giles Redpath's Lombard 46 Pata Negra completed the RORC Transatlantic Race in an elapsed time of 15 days 22 hrs 58 mins 13 secs © RORC/Arthur Daniel

Giles Redpath's British Lombard 46 Pata Negra, skippered by Andy Lis, finished the 2019 RORC Transatlantic Race on Monday 09 December in an elapsed time of 15 days 22 hrs 58 mins 13 secs. The team on Pata Negra received a warm welcome on the dock this morning at Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina from RORC CEO, Eddie Warden Owen, Marina Manager, Charlotte Bonin - who provided ice cold beers, and Nikoyan Roberts from the Grenada Tourism Authority who presented the young crew with a basket of local goodies.

Dark Shadow approaching the finish line at Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina, Grenada - Photo © RORC / Arthur Daniel

French Wally 100 Dark Shadow finished the 2019 RORC Transatlantic Race on Friday 6th December in an elapsed time of 13 days 9 hours 11 mins and 3 secs. Dark Shadow was sailed by Andre Auberton-Herve (FRA), and skippered by Yerin Hobson (AUS).

Wally 100 Dark Shadow celebrate their arrival at Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina, Grenada - Photo © RORC / Arthur Daniel

NEWSFLASH - Dark Shadow, the Wally 100 skippered by Yerin Hobson (AUS), crossed the finish line outside Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina, Grenada on Friday 6th December, 2019 at 20:11:03 UTC. Their elapsed time was 13 days 09 hours 11 mins 03 secs.

Childhood 1 crew: Bouwe Bekking, Antonio Cuervas Mons, Ysbrand Endt, Pablo Garcia Mujica, Julius Hallstrom, Edmond Hilhorst, Steven Melkman, Pelle Norberg, Simbad Quiroga, Aage Reerslev, Pieter Tack, Jelmer van Beek, Jorden van Rooijen, Laura van Veen - Photo © RORC / Arthur Daniel

Swedish VO65 Childhood 1, skippered by Bouwe Bekking, has taken Line Honours in the 2019 RORC Transatlantic Race. Childhood 1 crossed the finish line outside Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina, Grenada in an elapsed time of 11 days 11 hours 34 mins 49 secs. The International Maxi Association Secretary General, Andrew McIrvine, presented Bouwe Bekking and the team with the IMA Trophy for Monohull Line Honours in the RORC Transatlantic Race.

A warm spice island welcome is waiting for the RORC Transatlantic Race fleet and Childhood 1's line honours arrival © Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina, Grenada

Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina in Grenada is all set to welcome the early finishers in the RORC Transatlantic Race. VO65 Childhood 1 is expected to finish on Wednesday 4th December and will win the IMA Trophy for Monohull Line Honours. French Wally 100 Dark Shadow, skippered by Yerin Hobson is 400 miles behind Childhood 1. The fleet is reporting superb conditions surfing at high speeds in tropical heat.

Swedish VO65 Childhood 1 has been fully lit up for the blast to the finish, registering a 24-hour run of over 400nm. Skipper Bouwe Bekking contacted the media team via satellite: “We’ve had a max. breeze for a short period of 25 knots, but in general the wind is hovering between 18-22 knots. We’ve made good progress. The guests are starting to get used to the feeling of living in the deep south, with air and water temperatures of around 30ºC. Childhood 1 is also moving up in the overall standings, but it is still very hard to compare apples with pears. The smallest boat in the fleet is sailing in a completely different weather pattern and can take about double the amount of time to sail the same distance. They have been sailing close to the great circle route, so not many extra miles need to be covered. Remember they are racing double handed, so hats off for these two blokes, but if we beat them in the end, that would be a nice bonus,” said Bekking.