RORC Transatlantic Race: Fleet update
by Louay Habib / RORC 25 Jan 06:22 PST
24 January 2026
As the 2026 RORC Transatlantic Race enters its final phase, the shape of the IRC fleet results are now almost decided with a diverse fleet of monohulls completing the crossing and others closing in on the finish in Antigua.
After nearly two weeks at sea since the start in Lanzarote on Sunday 11 January, the race continues to underline the breadth of designs, crews and ambitions that define the RORC Transatlantic Race.
Jackknife delivers standout corinthian performance
One of the most impressive results of the race belongs to Jackknife, the J/125 owned and skippered by Sam Hall, sailing with his father Andrew Hall. Finishing on 23 January after 11 days and 13 hours at sea, Jackknife secured third overall under IRC and victory in IRC Two. Racing with a corinthian crew on one of the oldest boats in the fleet, the 30-year-old J/125 proved that experience, preparation and consistency can still compete at the very highest level offshore. Jackknife's performance stands as one of the defining stories of this edition of the race.
Claiming second in IRC Two is Marc Lepesqueux's Rolland 40 Sensation which competed the race in an elapsed time of 12 days and 8 hours. Marc is the longest running competitor in the race, having sailed Sensation in the very first edition in 2014.
Linnea Aurora tops the superyacht division
The Hoek-designed 128ft Linnea Aurora, skippered by Phil Martinson, has completed the race in an elapsed time of 11 days and 13 hours. On IRC corrected time, Linnea Aurora emerged as the best-placed superyacht, earning the Superyacht Trophy for the 2026 RORC Transatlantic Race. The elegant classic yacht combined long-range offshore capability with disciplined race management, delivering a benchmark performance within the Superyacht Class.
Maxitude completes milestone Atlantic race
Maxitude, the Lift 45 owned and skippered by Xavier Bellouard, finished on 22 January after 10 days and 12 hours at sea. For Bellouard, the race marked the completion of a long-held personal ambition to cross the Atlantic in competition. Maxitude's result was further rewarded with the Yacht Club de France Trophy for the best-placed Yacht Club de France member under IRC, capping a highly satisfying campaign for the all-French team.
Multihull MOCRA fleet complete
The multihull division is now complete. Wellness Training, sailed by the legendary Marc Guillemot, finished on 20 January in an elapsed time of 9 days and 9 hours to secure the final podium position in MOCRA. Calamity, the Ocean 50 sailed by Timo Tavio and Kimo Nordstrom, suffered a broken boom but the crew are safe and the boat is now in Jolly Harbour, Antigua, preparing for repairs ahead of the RORC Caribbean 600.
Strong results across the IRC fleet
James Neville's Carkeek 45 Ino Noir finished on 20 January just after sunset, completing the race in 9 days and 6 hours. On corrected time, Ino Noir secured second overall under IRC, continuing a strong sequence of performances following a podium finish in the previous edition.
Yves Grosjean's Neo 430 NeoJivaro / Afazik Impulse finished in 11 days and 18 hours. While just outside the podium positions in IRC One, the result marked a successful completion of a race Grosjean had previously delayed through a skiing injury, making this a significant personal achievement.
Further solid finishes include the VO65 Sisi, skippered by Gerwin Janssen and Paul Lucan, which crossed the line in 10 days and 7 hours, and the V69 Nacira, skippered by Mattia Correrini, finishing in 11 days and 2 hours.
Double-Handed and remaining competitors
In the Two-Handed division, the 86-foot ketch Adrien, sailed by Arthur Hubert and Christoph Bachmann, was the first double-handed yacht to finish; completing the crossing in 11 days and 5 hours. However, on corrected time, the Pogo 12.50 Kornog 2, sailed by Gilles Colubi and Ivan Osselin secured victory in the class after completing the crossing in 13 days and 1 hour, finishing at 01:31:08 UTC on 25 January.
Still racing toward Antigua are several determined campaigns. The Owen Clarke 40 Rock 'n' Roll has approximately 270 nautical miles remaining, while Solaris 55 Team 42 is closing in with around 310 nautical miles to Antigua. Both crews are now firmly into the final phase of their Atlantic crossings as the trade winds continue to deliver fast but demanding conditions.
Finnish entry Stimmy, the Sun Fast 3300 sailed double-handed by Ari Huusela and Annika Paasikivi, remains at sea about 660 miles from Antigua and is expected to be the final finisher. Their race continues to reflect the spirit of adventure and seamanship that sits at the heart of the RORC Transatlantic Race.
Walross 4: Youthful resolve across the Atlantic
Germany's Walross 4 is currently around 415 nautical miles from completing her Atlantic crossing, with the young crew continuing steadily toward the Caribbean. All competitors who have already arrived in Antigua have expressed their deep condolences for the loss of the crew member on Walross 4. The ASV-Berlin YC and the RORC continue to provide full support and assistance as the team prepares for arrival.
On Saturday 24 January, the Antigua Yacht Club provided an informal welcome party for RORC Transatlantic Race crew, as well as local sailors after their Saturday race meeting. Complimentary food and drink were enjoyed by over100 sailors at the AYC.