Flawless start for the 2026 RORC Transatlantic Race
by Louay Habib / RORC 11 Jan 13:11 PST
11 January 2026
The 2026 RORC Transatlantic Race got off to a flawless start from Marina Lanzarote for the 12th edition © Sailing Energy
The 12th edition of the RORC Transatlantic Race began in commanding fashion off Marina Lanzarote, as the fleet raced into the Atlantic in flawless conditions.
Framed by the dramatic coastline of Lanzarote and a palpable sense of anticipation, the start marked the opening chapter of one of offshore sailing's most revered ocean races.
A vision realised in Lanzarote
"From the very beginning in 2014 this race has been a labour of passion for my family, my team and our partners," commented José Juan Calero, CEO of Calero Marinas. "Creating an offshore race across one of the world's great oceans was a real challenge at the time. The early years were not easy, entries were limited, but with the unwavering loyalty and support of the Royal Ocean Racing Club, we believed in the vision and kept moving forward.
"Today, the RORC Transatlantic Race is firmly established as one of the reference events on the global offshore calendar, and that makes us immensely proud. To witness the start here in Lanzarote was deeply emotional; from the first foiling superyacht ever to start this race, to the intense match racing between the MOD70s and the extraordinary diversity of crews and boats. Watching the fleet depart past Puerto Calero, where our family's story began, felt like both a farewell and a celebration. This race represents ambition, perseverance and the true spirit of offshore sailing."
Conditions for the start of the RORC Transatlantic Race were close to ideal, with a steady northeasterly breeze of around 12 knots building into the mid-teens and clear skies delivering a comfortable 20 degrees of warmth. Spectator craft gathered in force to witness the fleet's departure, following the boats to the mark off Puerto Calero Marina. Once rounded, the course opened wide to the south, presenting competitors with immediate strategic choices as they set out on the 3,000 nautical mile passage across the Atlantic Ocean to Antigua.
IRC Monohulls: A fierce opening exchange
The monohulls racing for the overall win under IRC were first to start with a very competitive dial-up to the downwind start. Olivier Magre's Mach 50 Palanad 4 was first to cross the line. Swan 128 Be Cool, skippered by Luca Serra, started well, winning the pin, reaching in on starboard. Four boats in from the pin, James Neville's Carkeek 45 Ino Noir found a good lane. Baltic 111 Raven, skippered by Damien Durchon, powered through very quickly before driving off and crossing the fleet on port and heading offshore. Raven was leading on the water, achieving 14 knots of boat speed and more. ?Raven's navigator Will Oxley commented: "Just sliding down the east side of Fuerteventura in light air. The breeze is lifting so we are back into VMG mode and changed sail to the MH0, heading south for the next 24 hours or so, getting away from the light air in the ridge to our north."
The early leader on IRC corrected time is Ino Noir. Tactician Jack Trigger commented after their great start: "We weren't planning on taking any big risks off the line with a whole transatlantic ahead of us, but it worked out well and we avoided getting tangled up with any of the big boats," commented Trigger. "We sailed a nice VMG run down to the Calero mark playing the shifts towards the beach which gave us a good little advantage. Then peeling to our A3 around the mark to head south as fast as possible into more pressure in the bigger picture."
Multihulls: Locked horns from the start
The second start featured the four multihulls in the RORC Transatlantic Race. Alister Richardson was calling the start aboard Jason Carroll's MOD70 Argo. Richardson described the strategy and outcome, locking horns with Erik Maris' MOD70 Zoulou at the start: "The game plan was not to get hooked or get done over by Zoulou," explained Richardson. "We chose to approach the line on starboard just so Zoulou didn't have the ability to get us. We did a very good job at time and distance on the pin, so we could gybe on the pin and get offshore."
The tactics worked like a dream for Argo; first to the Puerto Calero mark, even ahead of Raven that had started 10 minutes in front of them. Brian Thompson commented from the chart table on Argo, one hour into the race: "We're down by Fuerteventura, reaching fast south towards the African coast."
Three hours into the race, MOD70s Zoulou and Argo were launched at 25 knots, almost side by side spearing towards the African Coast. Raven led the monohull fleet and put in a big gybe west towards the rhumb line. The rest of the international fleet behind the front runners were tightly bunched on a fast broad reach along the east coast of Fuerteventura.
The great adventure begins
Among the high-speed machines and polished campaigns are stories that go to the very heart of ocean racing. The smallest boat in the 2026 RORC Transatlantic Race is Stimmy, a Sun Fast 3300 raced two-handed by Finnish offshore legend Ari Huusela and owner Annika Paasikivi. For Huusela, who has logged close to 100,000 ocean miles, including a solo Vendée Globe finish after 116 days at sea, this campaign is about rediscovering joy. For Paasikivi, it is a leap into the unknown. Her first true ocean passage.
"For me, this is a relaxed, happy project," says Huusela. "Our goal is simple: enjoy the sailing and finish safely."
At the other end of the experience spectrum is Walross 4, Germany's youth-led entry from Berlin. Nine of the 10 crew are university students, many about to cross an ocean for the first time. Skipper Matthias Kahnt sees the race as far more than a result sheet. Their 18-ton wooden yacht is built for endurance, not speed, complete with proper bunks, a real galley and morale-boosting hot meals. "We are happy to enjoy the ride a little longer," Kahnt smiles - embracing every mile of the Atlantic adventure ahead.
Safety at the core of the RORC Transatlantic Race
Chris Jackson, RORC Race Officer confirmed that both starts got away all clear, with no issues reported from on board any of the competing boats: "From the moment the fleet leaves Lanzarote the race is monitored 24 hours a day. We are looking for anything out of the ordinary. If a tracker shows something unexpected, we are immediately alert and ready to respond.
"Safety is absolutely paramount to the RORC, whether it is a 60 mile race or a 3,000 mile transatlantic - the approach is the same. Every race is monitored to the highest standards. All boats in the RORC Transatlantic Race have been fully inspected and comply with World Sailing Category 1 ocean racing requirements. In many cases, crews are carrying safety equipment well beyond the minimum.
"All relevant coastguards along the route are informed in advance and hold full details of every boat, every crew member and our contact procedures, so any issue can be dealt with as quickly and safely as possible.
"In the early phase of the race, we expect the fleet to make a southerly exit from the Canaries as they leave land behind and head into the open ocean. Once clear, the forecasts are well aligned, with the trade winds re-establishing to give the fleet a fast, classic Atlantic crossing."
Follow all the updates from the 2026 RORC Transatlantic Race in association with the International Maxi Association and Yacht Club de France at: