The Royal Ocean Racing Club commemorates the start of its centenary in 2025 with a mouth-watering Caribbean Programme for January and February.

Over 4,000 miles of warm water racing is organised, deep in the winter of the Northern Hemisphere.

Two months of highly competitive offshore and inshore racing are available for IRC rated monohulls, multihulls, plus recognised racing divisions such as Class40s.

12 January 2025 – RORC Transatlantic Race

After a superb programme of social events in Lanzarote, Canary Islands, the 11th edition of the RORC Transatlantic Race will start from Marina Lanzarote on Sunday the 12th of January. The 3,000 nautical mile race across the Atlantic Ocean will finish at Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina, Grenada, West Indies. All competing boats are greeted ashore with cold drinks and a warm welcome.

18-21 February – RORC Nelson’s Cup Series

The Notice of Race for the RORC Nelson’s Cup Series confirms a key change to the third edition of the event which will be held in Antigua. The RORC Nelson’s Cup Series will be a stand-alone event, separate from the RORC Caribbean 600. Boats not entered for the RORC Caribbean 600 are very welcome to apply for the RORC Nelson’s Cup Series.

The intention for the RORC Nelson’s Cup Series is for two days of multiple inshore races 18-19 February, followed by a Lay Day. On Friday 21st of February, the 50 NM Antigua 360º Race concludes the series.

Entry fee for the RORC Nelson’s Cup Series is £125 per day or £350 for all three days. This includes invitations to daily prize-givings and the Final Prize-Giving Ceremony on Friday 21st February at the Antigua Yacht Club.

24-28 February 2025 – RORC Caribbean 600

After a two-day break from racing, the 16th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600 will start on Monday 24th of February. The 600 NM race around 11 Caribbean islands is the premier offshore race in the Caribbean. After teams return to Antigua an army of volunteers from the Antigua Yacht Club run a 24-7 watch to greet teams with cold drinks and a warm welcome. There is a full programme of social events in Antigua, culminating in the Grand Prize-Giving at Antigua Yacht Club on Friday 28th of February.

 The Royal Ocean Racing Club announce an enticing Caribbean Programme for 2025 © Tim Wright / Photoaction.com

Separate Notice of Race have been issued for all three events, with online entry now open at SailRaceHQ. For more information about the Royal Ocean Racing Club, including mini-sites for all of the Caribbean events: www.rorc.org.

by Louay Habib