Teams welcomed to Lanzarote

2022 rtr welcome party jeremy wilton jm

RORC CEO Jeremy Wilton welcomes the competitors to the 8th edition of the RORC Transatlantic Race © RORC/James Mitchell

The RORC Transatlantic Race Welcome Reception with drinks and tapas was held last night at Terazza Kalma in Marina Lanzarote. All of the teams competing in the 8th edition of the RORC Transatlantic Race were greeted by the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s CEO, Jeremy Wilton, who gave a warm welcome to the competitors, and a big ‘thank you’ to all the event sponsors.

“Welcome to the 8th edition of the RORC Transatlantic Race,” announced Jeremy Wilton. “This is a big race for the Royal Ocean Racing Club; we have a record entry with past winners and sailors from 27 nations, and these events do not happen without our partners here in Lanzarote and in Grenada across the Atlantic Ocean. Here in Lanzarote, I would like to thank JJ Calero from Calero Marinas, Héctor Fernández from the Tourist Board of Lanzarote, Vice-President of the RCNA Felipe Brito, The Secretary General of the IMA Andrew McIrvine, and Vice-President of the Yacht Club de France, Olivier Pecoux. Both the International Maxi Association and the Yacht Club de France have played a significant role in helping to secure a record entry for this year’s race. Both organisations are great supporters of IRC, which we believe is the ultimate rating system for racing around the world.”

 

José Juan Calero, Managing Director of Calero Marinas commented:

“A big welcome to Lanzarote. I hope you have had time to enjoy the fine food, wine and landscape, and you are welcome to return when you have time. Welcome also to Calero Marinas and due to the size of the fleet we have competing boats in Marina Lanzarote and Puerto Calero. We hope that you have found good service in both marinas. Changing the start date to January has proved a big success and hopefully this record entry will also produce new race records! A big ‘thank you’ to the Government of the Canary Islands and the Tourist Board of Lanzarote for understanding how important sailing is to the islands and the tremendous support from Felipe Brito and the Real Club Náutico de Arrecife. Congratulations to all of the sailors who will be taking on the big challenge of racing across the Atlantic, you have all our respect and I wish you fair winds for a safe race.”

José Juan Calero of Calero Marinas, who has hosted the race start since the first edition in 2014 © RORC/James Mitchell

José Juan Calero of Calero Marinas, who has hosted the race start since the first edition in 2014 © RORC/James Mitchell

Héctor Fernández from the Lanzarote Tourist Board commented:

“This is a very important race for Lanzarote, especially in these difficult times. The race is an important part of our recovery to promote nautical sports in Lanzarote which has exceptional conditions for this race. Thank you to the sailors, race organisers and supporters for your commitment to Lanzarote. We are proud to be part of this prestigious event. We hope you have enjoyed Lanzarote and will enjoy the race.”

Héctor Fernández of the Lanzarote Tourist Board addresses the competitors © RORC/James Mitchell

Héctor Fernández of the Lanzarote Tourist Board addresses the competitors © RORC/James Mitchell

Felipe Brito, Vice-President of Real Club Náutico de Arrecife (RCNA) commented:

“On behalf of the Real Club Náutico de Arrecife I would like to welcome you all here. As patrons of sailors and sailing we are very proud to support this great regatta and all of the supporting sponsors. A particular thanks to the boats that gave our sailing students such a warm welcome on board; giving their valuable time. It is important to get young sailors involved. We wish each boat a spectacular start and fair winds for the race.”

The International Maxi Association has supported every race since its inception in 2014, and Andrew McIrvine, Secretary General of the Yacht Club, along with IMA Secretary Monica Recchia were thrilled with the encouraging growth of the fleet and to see that almost a third of the entries were Maxi yachts.

Secretary General of the IMA Andrew McIrvine commented:

“I am delighted to be here again. when I was Admiral of the RORC we got this show on the road, and especially with the energy of JJ (José Juan Calero) and Calero Marinas, it has become a fantastic event. We are so pleased that we now have a great entry including nine Maxis. Thank you to all the organisers and sponsors on both sides of the Atlantic. This has become a classic race.”

L-R: Jose Júan Calero of Calero Marinas, IMA Secretary General Andrew McIrvine, RORC CEO Jeremy Wilton, Felipe Brito of Vice-President of Real Club Náutico de Arrecife, Héctor Fernández from the Lanzarote Tourist Board © RORC/James Mitchell

L-R: José Juan Calero of Calero Marinas, IMA Secretary General Andrew McIrvine, RORC CEO Jeremy Wilton, Felipe Brito of Vice-President of Real Club Náutico de Arrecife, Héctor Fernández from the Lanzarote Tourist Board © RORC/James Mitchell

Andrew McIrvine will present the IMA Trophy to the monohull line honours winner at the finish in Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina in Grenada, some 3,000nm (5,500km) across the immense Atlantic Ocean.

Organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club, in association with the International Maxi Association (IMA) and the Yacht Club de France. The eighth edition of the RORC Transatlantic Race will start from Lanzarote at 1100 UTC on Saturday 8th of January 2022.



Pure Grenada
Calero Marinas
Port Louis Marina