Winter Offshore Yacht Racing
Three Legendary Races, One Epic Season
For many sailors, offshore yacht racing offers the perfect mix of challenge, camaraderie, and adventure travel. Among the most iconic events, all organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC), the Rolex Middle Sea Race, RORC Transatlantic Race, and the RORC Caribbean 600 provide the perfect circuit to keep you sailing through the offseason from the heart of the Mediterranean across the Atlantic, and around the islands of the Caribbean.
Here, Ancasta Race Boats Brand Manager, Sam Pearson, talks us through the highlights of each regatta.
Rolex Middle Sea Race
October | Valletta, Malta
Starting and finishing in Valletta, Malta, the Rolex Middle Sea Race is a 606-nautical-mile offshore course with dramatic scenery that takes crews around Sicily, through the Strait of Messina, past the volcanic island of Stromboli, and south around Lampedusa.
Under the watchful eye of Aeolus, the Greek god of winds, this challenging race is renowned for unpredictable weather, critical tidal gates, and formidable headlands. Crews may find themselves becalmed one minute and in a raging storm the next, so staying in sync with the elements and being ready for anything that the ocean throws at you is key to a successful race.
This is an adventure that’ll demand everything from you – sharp instincts, courage, teamwork, and resilience – but you’ll come away with some legendary stories to tell in the bar on your return!
RORC Transatlantic Race
January | Lanzarote, Canary Islands to Antigua, Caribbean
Every January, a competitive fleet of offshore yachts sets sail from Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, bound for Antigua in the Caribbean – a passage of over 3,000 nautical miles.
A transoceanic challenge that attracts both seasoned offshore racers on 70ft foiling trimarans to sub-45ft cruiser-racers, and first-time transatlantic crews, the RORC Transatlantic Race usually benefits from reliable trade winds that treat sailors to lengthy stretches of fast, downwind sailing. However, as with any long-distance voyage, the ocean always delivers a few surprises, so good boat preparation, strategic routing, and coordinated team endurance are crucial aspects of the race.
Whether it’s your first transatlantic crossing or you’re chasing the thrill of flat-out racing for days on end, there’s no better way to reach the exotic shores of the Caribbean.
RORC Caribbean 600
February | Antigua, Caribbean
Starting and finishing in Antigua, the RORC Caribbean 600 course weaves around 11 Caribbean islands, including Barbuda, St Maarten, Guadeloupe, and Montserrat. The scenery is phenomenal, with lush green mountains, palm-lined sandy beaches, and exotic marine life around every rocky outcrop. The allure of glorious sunshine, turquoise waters, and locally made rum on tap draws crews from all over the world to compete in this iconic event.
Yet the RORC Caribbean 600 is widely regarded as one of the most challenging offshore races on the calendar. With brisk, shifty winds, large sea swells, and constantly changing angles, tactical manoeuvres and sail changes come thick and fast, so there’s little time for rest.
But don’t let this put you off – any hardship is duly rewarded with a warm welcome when you hit the dock: big smiles, steel drums, and ice-cold beers in the sunshine – what’s not to love?
Take on the Challenge
If you are ready to take on an epic season of winter offshore racing that will take you on an unforgettable adventure from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean, we can help you find the best race boat for you and your crew.
View our race yachts for sale or contact Ancasta Race Boats to discuss your boat search.
Call: +44 (0) 7759 424900
Email: [email protected]
Photo: RORC / Arthur Daniel
