RORC Transatlantic Race - Destinations for success
by Louay Habib / RORC 4 Sep 2024 22:35 NZST
12 January 2025
The 3,000 NM RORC Transatlantic Race is the longest race in the RORC Season's Points Championship © Robert Hadjuk / RORC
The 11th edition of the RORC Transatlantic Race starts on Sunday 12th January from Marina Lanzarote, Canary Islands and will finish at Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina in Grenada, Caribbean.
Evoking passion for the sea and steeped in maritime history, the challenge of racing across the Atlantic Ocean excites the spirit of adventure in any sailor. For success, planning the great undertaking is crucial, as is celebrating the achievement.
Calero Marinas - Marina Lanzarote
Preparation is key to a successful RORC Transatlantic Race and Marina Lanzarote has world class facilities: 300 modern visitor-berths including deep water slips. A full service boat yard with over 4,000m2 hard standing, plus 820-tonne and 100-tonne travel hoists. Along the modern marina there is a large choice of restaurants, cafes, shops and bars and the traditional maritime quarter of Arrecife is just over the marina footbridge.
However, it is not just the facilities that make Marina Lanzarote the ideal starting point for the RORC Transatlantic Race. Marina Lanzarote and its older sister Puerto Calero have great passion and vast experience in hosting numerous international yachting events, as well as being the choice for world class race-training campaigns. The Calero family has been the pioneer for marina services in the Canary Islands since the 1980s, with three marinas in Lanzarote and La Palma. A new Calero Marinas development on Fuerteventura is nearing completion; Marina Jandía will have 310 berths.
"Few things beat the thrill of watching the magnificent RORC Transatlantic Race fleet as they depart from Lanzarote's shores, preparing to take on the lengthiest challenge in the world's largest offshore racing series," commented CEO Calero Marinas, Juan José Calero. "This race is one of the annual highlights and an inspiration to the crowds of admirers that come to enjoy the atmosphere. Marina Lanzarote eagerly awaits next January's event, the first race to mark no less than the prestigious Royal Ocean Racing Club's centenary!"
Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina - Grenada
As teams finish the RORC Transatlantic Race the elation is evident; sailors embrace, grinning from ear to ear. The delight of racing 3,000 miles non-stop across the Atlantic is an unforgettable experience. The finish line is just a few miles from Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina where an enthusiastic and well-practised welcome awaits with ice cold beers and a basket of Grenadian goods from the Grenada Tourism Authority, laced with rum, spices and world-famous Grenadian chocolate.
Port Louis Marina is an award-winning marina true to Camper & Nicholson Marinas worldwide reputation for exceptional services and facilities as well as friendly, experienced staff. Port Louis Marina rivals any destination in the Caribbean with 227 berths for yachts of up to 90 metres.
Port Louis Marina is located across the picturesque lagoon outside Grenada's colourful capital St. George's. The marina's location offers an ideal setting for further exploration of this authentic and charming Caribbean Island. The marina facility boasts a secure, gated environment with ample parking, ensuring convenience for visitors and teams alike. Among its standout features are an on-site Port of Entry with Customs and Immigration Office for easy clearance, two top-notch restaurants that provide delicious dining options, and one of Grenada's premier bars; the Victory Bar & Restaurant is perfect for relaxation and celebration after the RORC Transatlantic Race.
Zara Tremlett, the General Manager for Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina and team have had a busy few months after Hurricane Beryl damaged the neighbouring and sister islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique. "There was very limited damage to our marina thankfully, and kind generosity of the Port Louis Marina community has been outstanding! The whole community of berth holders and colleagues have been eager to help the Government of Grenada Relief Fund which has been instrumental in helping distribute aid. The Marine & Yachting Association of Grenada has been raising funds that will go towards the support of the fishing fleets, the yachting community and the environment, all of which have been devastated by Hurricane Beryl."
A new development at Port Louis Marina was started at the end of 2023 and will be fully operational before the 2025 RORC Transatlantic Race. "Along the Port Louis Marina Superyacht docks, operated by a branch of the Silversands Five-Star Resort, a beach club-style facility will consist of a café area, bar and a poolside restaurant," confirmed Zara Tremlett. "An expansion to the Victory Bar & Restaurant will allow for extra seating and a BBQ area. The refurbishment of the swimming pool has been a priority to have finished by the start of the season and I am pleased to confirm that we have managed to achieve this. It will be brilliant to see this amenity being used by the berth holders."
Zara continues, "There is always plenty of excitement when the RORC fleet arrives at the marina, so we invite local community sailing school children to meet the crew and view the fleet on the docks. This forms part of our CSR program helping develop community relations and education in the marine industry."
The RORC Transatlantic Race is organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club in association with Yacht Club de France and the International Maxi Association, and supported by Puerto Calero Marina Lanzarote, Camper & Nicholson Port Louis Marina, Grenada and Grenada Tourism.
The overall winer of the RORC Transatlantic Race is decided by IRC time correction for the RORC Transatlantic Race Trophy. Over the last 10 editions the overall winner has ranged in size from 33-100ft (10.1m-30.5m).
The IMA Transatlantic Trophy is awarded for Monohull Line Honours and there is a separate trophy for Multihull Line Honours. Class prizes are also awarded, including IRC and MOCRA Division winners and for the Class40 champion. There are special trophies, including the Superyacht Trophy for displacement yachts of 24m and over, and also a Classic Class Trophy.
The 3,000 mile RORC Transatlantic Race is the first race of the year in which the Royal Ocean Racing Club celebrates its centenary. It is the longest race in the RORC Season's Points Championship; the world's largest offshore racing series.
For more information including on-line entry and the Notice of Race: www.rorctransatlantic.rorc.org.