The Royal Ocean Racing Club have announced a new start date for the seventh edition of the RORC Transatlantic Race.
Traditionally held in November each year from Lanzarote to Grenada, the next edition will start from Calero Marinas Puerto Calero on the 9th January 2021 and once again finish at Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina in Grenada.
This date change is the most significant of a number of subtle changes the RORC is making to its Season Points Championships, which includes making the Rolex Middle Sea Race the first points race in the Championships, not the last, and also changes to the points factors for certain offshore races.
Supported once again by Calero Marinas, the fleet will be hosted at Puerto Calero before the start in 2021 – photo © Calero Marinas Puerto Calero
“The RORC Committee felt that having the Rolex Middle Sea Race as the first race in the Championship would encourage more owners to use the Autumn/Winter season for adventure sailing and include in their programme the RORC Transatlantic Race and RORC Caribbean 600 before returning to the UK in the Spring,” comments RORC Racing Manager Chris Stone. “We also felt that starting the RORC Transatlantic Race in January provides more time for boats to get from Malta to Lanzarote, and we also know that the trade winds are further north and more consistent at that time.”
A warm spice island welcome after the long transatlantic passage is always guaranteed at Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina – photo © Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina
José Juan Calero, CEO Calero Marinas comments: “On behalf of Calero Marinas, we couldn’t feel more honoured to be working with the prestigious Royal Ocean Racing Club in the organisation of this regatta. Once again we will be offering favourable berthing fees for those competitors who arrive early and free berthing for the week before the race start at our Puerto Calero Marina, which will be the host port for the 2021 race. Advancing the start date to January will without doubt significantly improve the chance of encountering more favourable winds for the crossing.”
Change of date – The 7th edition of the RORC Transatlantic Race will start on Saturday 9th January 2021 from Calero Marinas Puerto Calero, Lanzarote © James Mitchell / Calero MarinasAndrew Garland, Business Development Manager at Camper & Nicholsons Marinas says: “RORC has been at the cutting edge of yacht racing since 1925 and Camper & Nicholsons is one of the oldest yachting brands, so we share a common brand ethos. Our ongoing investment and expansion of Port Louis Marina ensures that we continue to provide the very best marina facilities to be the destination of choice for discerning yachtsmen around the world. After 3,000nm of hard ocean racing, we are proud to offer one of the warmest and most genuine Caribbean welcomes to all the skippers and crews taking part. We are extremely excited to be working with the team at RORC to deliver another successful race finish for 2021.”
The race attracts a diverse fleet and includes superfast MOCRAs such as the MOD70 Powerplay – photo © James Mitchell / Calero Marinas
Richard Palmer (right) and Jeremy Waitt were the first ever two handed team to win the RORC Transatlantic Race Trophy for overall victory. 2019 race on JPK 10.10 Jangada. – photo © RORC / Arthur Daniel
The seventh edition of the RORC Transatlantic Race also welcomes a new supporter – Silversands Grenada which will host the prize-giving. This breathtaking brand new 5 Star Hotel is on the northern end of the famous Grand Anse Beach with a perfect view of the race finish. Silversands Grenada features 43 luxury rooms, a world-class spa and upscale award-winning local cuisine.
For further information, please go to rorctransatlantic.rorc.org.
by Louay Habib
