Round Britain and Ireland

The RORC Round Britain and Ireland has evolved from a race with stops along the way when it started in 1976 to a challenging 1805 nm non-stop marathon offshore race, a true marathon of epic proportions. It’s a test of endurance, seamanship, and tactical skill. Showcasing offshore racing at its most raw.

The quadrennial race is probably the most challenging of all RORC offshore races. Roughly three times longer than the Rolex Fastnet Race, the course sends the competing teams around a myriad of headlands with multiple tidal gates to navigate. Coupled with the notorious British and Irish weather, the RORC Round Britain & Ireland Race is arguably the toughest pro-am race in the world. Every team that completes the challenge rightly deserves the admiration of any offshore sailor.

THE COURSE 

Starting and finishing in Cowes, the course takes the fleet west across the Irish Sea, up the rugged and exposed Atlantic coast of Ireland all the way to 59° North, where the course rounds the Shetland Islands. Head south past the shoals, windfarms, and hazards of the North Sea, then on towards the world’s business shipping lanes at Dover before the final beat back to Cowes. Yachts will pass iconic headlands such as Land’s End, St. Kilda, Muckle Flugga and the White Cliffs of Dover. These waypoints are more than navigational markers—they’re milestones in a journey that tests both physical endurance and mental resilience.

In 2014 the conditions demanded a change to an anti-clockwise lap, resulting in several new records. Whilst the race record is a target for many, simply finishing is an achievement in itself. Conditions can vary from light airs and sunshine to full-on storms and freezing temperatures in northern latitudes. With its reputation for toughness and its breathtakingly varied course, the Round Britain & Ireland Race is one of the world’s premier offshore challenges.

At least half of the crew must have completed a minimum of 500 miles offshore racing within 18 months of the race start, including the skipper. Every crew member must also have experience of sailing a boat offshore and be prepared to encounter heavy weather.