The RORC Transatlantic Race in association with the International Maxi Association and Yacht Club de France, will start from Marina Lanzarote on 11th January 2026.

Every iconic ocean race needs a host port that encapsulates the passion and adventure to set the tone for what lies ahead. For the RORC Transatlantic Race, Marina Lanzarote is that perfect setting – a meticulously prepared base; a beacon of support and Atlantic sailing tradition.

Since 2014, Marina Lanzarote has consistently welcomed the fleet as the chosen departure point of the RORC Transatlantic Race. That continuing role is the result of a perfect partnership built between the Royal Ocean Racing Club and key local collaborators: Calero Marinas, the Government of the Canary Islands, the Government of Lanzarote and the Real Club Náutico de Arrecife – each bringing unwavering support and a shared vision spanning decades.

With over four decades of maritime leadership in the Canaries, Calero Marinas has established Marina Lanzarote as a cornerstone for offshore racing campaigns.

Lanzarote provides a spectacular backdrop for the start of the RORC Transatlantic Race © Sailing Energy / Calero Marinas

Boasting capacity for yachts up to 60 m and a high-capability boatyard, the marina provides world-class facilities, everything from heavy-lift cranes to specialised technical service, ensuring teams can fine-tune their boats in optimal conditions before setting off across the ocean.

Complementing that infrastructure is the island’s strategic support ecosystem. Lanzarote Sports Destination draws sail-training teams year-round with its ideal conditions and top-tier facilities. At the same time, the Real Club Náutico de Arrecife, founded in 1872, brings local pride and tradition – its vibrant junior programs and grassroots sailing engagement amplify the race’s local impact.

Marina Jandía is Calero Marinas’ new project in Fuerteventura. A yacht harbour with 310 berths from 6 to 50 metres in length and an area for leisure, shops and restaurants that will represent a milestone in the island’s tourism development. A new rendezvous by the sea, in what will be Fuerteventura’s first major marina.

As Jeremy Wilton, CEO of the RORC, noted, “Lanzarote remains the ideal starting destination for the RORC Transatlantic Race. With its exceptional facilities, rich maritime heritage and perfect year-round sailing conditions, Lanzarote offers everything a race of this calibre requires.”

On the ground, the community buzz is tangible. As the fleet gathers, the marina transforms into a vibrant race village – crew briefings, safety checks, and provisioning punctuate the social calendar. Locals and visitors join in school visits, seaside gatherings and parties in Lanzarote’s hotspots.

“It is a privilege for Calero Marinas to welcome the 12th edition of the RORC Transatlantic Race to Lanzarote,” commented José Juan Calero, CEO of Calero Marinas.

“We take great pride in our long-standing partnership with the Royal Ocean Racing Club and in with world-class facilities that give competitors the confidence to start this remarkable challenge in peak condition. Lanzarote’s unique setting – with its beauty, climate and sailing conditions – offers an unrivalled backdrop, while the warm community spirit that surrounds the event makes every edition truly special. Hosting this race is both a celebration of the legacy we have built together and a reflection of our shared ambition for the future of ocean racing.”

Teams preparing for the RORC Transatlantic Race take advantage of Marina Lanzarote’s superb facilities – photo © James Mitchell

Lanzarote’s community spirit creates an energy which enhances the atmosphere for the RORC Transatlantic Race. From finalising boat prep in a full-service marina, to the race start. Blasting along Lanzarote’s coastline past volcanic ridges, the start of the RORC Transatlantic Race is epic. Lanzarote is the very gateway to the Atlantic Ocean.

Marina Lanzarote is so much more than another port – it is the culmination of a decade-long collaboration between professional infrastructure, community spirit, and dedication. With the support of Calero Marinas, the local government, and RCNA, the marina provides the facilities, the atmosphere and the legacy that makes it the perfect launchpad for the RORC Transatlantic Race. From the first wave goodbye to the horizon, sailors depart with confidence, purpose and the island’s pride alongside them.

The docks at Marina Lanzarote are buzzing as teams get ready for the long race ahead – photo © James Mitchell

On-line entry is open for the 2026 RORC Transatlantic Race starting from Marina Lanzarote on 11 January 2026. The 3,000 mile race will finish in Antigua, Caribbean.

For more information go to: rorctransatlantic.rorc.org

Marina Lanzrote: www.caleromarinas.com/en/marina-lanzarote

Competitors enjoy pre-departure social functions at locations around Lanzarote before the start – photo © James Mitchell

by Louay Habib / RORC