VO65 Sisi (AUT), skippered by 25-year-old Oliver Kobale, completed the RORC Transatlantic Race in 10 Days 19 Hrs 53 Mins 11 Secs. James Neville’s Ino Noir (GBR) finished in 10 Days 23 Hrs 22 Mins 57 Secs, securing IRC One victory and a likely top-three IRC overall finish.
VO65 Sisi © Arthur Daniel/RORC
VO65 Sisi (AUT) skippered by Oliver Kobale finished the RORC Transatlantic Race in the early hours of Thursday 23rd January, completing the 3000-mile race in an elapsed time of 10 Days 19 Hrs 53 Mins 11 Secs. Consisting of group of professional Austrian sailors and amateurs from all over the world, the Sisi crew is the first pro-am team to finish the race. 25 year old German sailor Christine Kurz is the first women sailor to complete the race this year.
Sisi's Christina Kurtz © Arthur Daniel/RORC
Oliver Kobale, Sisi © Arthur Daniel/RORC
Oliver Kobale, at 25 years of age is the youngest skipper in the race and virtually lives on board all the time. “I probably only go home to Austria for a few weeks a year, the rest of the time I live on Sisi, so yes she is my home,” commented Oliver who competed on the boat in the 2022-23 Ocean Race.
Sisi © Arthur Daniel/RORC
“Safety is always a top priority, especially with an amateur crew. This was a high-speed race with challenging conditions, so we focused on lifejackets, staying clipped on, and keeping everyone in safe positions. The pro crew did a great job ensuring safety and guiding the team. While we can’t compete at the grand prix level, the crew performed incredibly well and had an amazing experience. It’s rewarding to work with amateurs, watch them grow, and see the team push the boat harder. We arrived in Grenada with the crew and boat in great shape, which was our main goal. Next up is the RORC Caribbean 600—my favourite race—but for now, we’ll enjoy this beautiful island.”
Carkeek 45 Ino Noir © Arthur Daniel/RORC
James Neville’s Carkeek 45 Ino Noir (GBR) was the fourth boat to finish the RORC Transatlantic Race, completing the course in an elapsed time of 10 Days, 23 Hours, 22 Minutes, and 57 Seconds. Ino Noir is virtually assured of winning IRC One and is currently estimated to be third overall in IRC, with a chance of claiming second place.
This was the first transatlantic race for Ino Noir, which will represent the RORC in the upcoming Admiral’s Cup. The all-British crew brought extensive experience to the race, having collectively completed numerous transatlantic crossings. However, for 2023 RORC Commodore James Neville, this was his first transatlantic race.
Mike Henning & Jack Trigger © Arthur Daniel/RORC
Tactician Mike Henning and navigator Jack Trigger noted that the defining moments of the race occurred during its early and final days. Strong, gusty conditions at the start caused damage to their smallest spinnaker, the A6, forcing the team to adjust their approach and prioritize preserving their sail inventory. During the final two days, Ino Noir’s routing software suggested they had a chance to beat overall winner Volvo 70 Tschuss 2 on IRC corrected time. The team pushed hard for a final effort, but further sail damage dashed their hopes of an overall victory.
Ino Noir © Arthur Daniel/RORC
Despite this, the Ino Noir team arrived at Camper & Nicholson’s Port Louis Marina in high spirits, with James Neville particularly upbeat. “In the past, we’ve focused on 600-mile races, but we chose this race because it promised to be a real adventure,” said Neville. “On the wheel, it was absolutely fantastic, with a variety of wind conditions and scenarios. When the breeze is up during the day, you push hard, surfing waves—there’s nothing quite like it. Early in the race, we had a lot of moonlight, which allowed us to keep pushing hard, but later, there were long, dark nights where you’re flying along at speed in pitch black. It’s exhilarating and relentless at the same time. At moments, you wish it were over, and then the thrill of speed pulls you back in!"
James Neville © Arthur Daniel/RORC
This race was a fantastic opportunity to test the boat in various conditions, and we’ve discovered some new modes we’re excited to try out in the RORC Caribbean 600.” concluded James Neville.
