2025 RORC Transatlantic Race: Multihull Class chasing lifelong dreams
by Louay Habib / RORC 20 Dec 2024 02:42 NZDT
12 January 2025
Oren Nataf's Pulsar 50 Rayon Vert (FRA) © Ed Gifford
The 2025 RORC Transatlantic Race will have a different outcome in respect of overall multihull line honours, compared to recent years. The last three editions, and several before, have been dominated by the MOD70s, but this year a variety of multihulls will be challenging for Line Honours and the MOCRA Class.
Oren Nataf's Pulsar 50 Rayon Vert (FRA) won in 2021, taking overall line honours in the RORC Transatlantic Race in an elapsed time of 9 Days 2 Hrs 33 Mins and 19 Secs. Rayon Vert was also second in the MOCRA Class for the 2021 Rolex Fastnet Race. Rayon Vert is in Lanzarote for the 2025 RORC Transatlantic Race and will be racing double-handed with Francois Seruzier.
Jacopo Bracco from Miami, Florida will be racing his custom-built 53-foot trimaran Finn (USA), which is designed by Renaud Banuls of Sodebo Ultime 3 fame. In perfect conditions Finn can complete the race in under nine days. Weighing about 10 tons with a rotating and canting rig, Finn is in many respects a 'mini-MOD70'. Powered by an experienced crew which all have MOD70 experience, including project manager Sam Mabey, 5.80 Transat winner Etienne Messikommer, and world record setter Jeff Mearing.
Bracco, who has raced multihulls since the age of nine, including winning the F18 Italian Championship, is determined to fulfil his lifelong dream of racing the Atlantic on a fast multihull.
"In the right conditions, Finn can easily hit 20 knots and surf at 30! The whole crew, including myself, is really looking forward to the RORC Transatlantic Race," said Bracco, who confirmed that there will be one compromise to full race mode. "We do have some high-quality freeze dried for the race, but I have found a real Italian restaurant in Lanzarote which will be preparing some great meals. I am originally Italian, so there is no way we are going to race without good food!"
Clarin Mustad is ready to take on the 2025 RORC Transatlantic Race aboard his Alibi 54 trimaran, Dakota. After an unfortunate setback in 2024 due to rudder issues, Dakota could not start the race. Dakota is now fully prepped in Lanzarote for this year's race.
For Mustad, a seasoned racer on Lake Geneva, but relatively new to ocean racing, the challenge adds an extra thrill to the adventure: "I prefer to compete rather than cruise because it makes the journey so much more exciting," said Clarin. "This will be my first Atlantic crossing, but Dakota's co-skipper, Carles Boned Roig and Christina Menabó have extensive experience with the boat. Joining us will be a group of friends eager to share in the excitement."
At 13.2 tons, Dakota is one of the heaviest multihulls in the race, but remains a strong contender, with the potential to finish in approximately 12 days under ideal conditions. "Ideally, we'll have 20 knots of downwind sailing; that would be perfect," Clarin remarked. "Anything under six knots and we're just too heavy to keep momentum. Full tradewind conditions would give us our best chance."
Interestingly, Dakota carries a Grenadian sail number - a choice born of unusual circumstances: "We purchased the unfinished boat at auction when it was still unregistered," Clarin explained. "Registering in Grenada was part of the process. I've never been to Grenada, but I hear it's a beautiful country with incredibly friendly people. We'll proudly fly the Grenadian flag when we cross the finish line!"
Thierry Roger's distinctive yellow Newick 39 trimaran Perros-Guirec is a sistership to the legendary Olympus Photos, winner of the 1978 Route du Rhum under Mike Birch. Although Roger's racing programme was delayed by the Covid pandemic, the Breton skipper has ambitious plans for the boat.
For the RORC Transatlantic Race, Roger will be competing double-handed alongside Renan Le Penven, a family friend and fellow boat builder of nearly 20 years. Thierry has significant aspirations for the trimaran; he plans to compete solo in the Golden Oldies Multihulls category for the 2026 Route du Rhum.
"This will be my first transatlantic, but I have looked out over that ocean all my life," said Thierry. "As a boat builder in Brittany for many years, I've watched owners sail out into the Atlantic and always wanted to join them. Now, at 64, I work less, so I have raced the boat in many regattas, but my ultimate goal is the 2026 Route du Rhum."
At just 2,200 kilograms, Perros-Guirec is the lightest boat in the RORC Transatlantic Race, yet far from the slowest. Thierry and Renan aim to maintain an ambitious average speed of 10 knots, potentially completing the race in around 12 days, though challenges could stretch the crossing to 14 days or more.
"I have only been to Lanzarote on holiday with my family and have never been to Grenada, so to say I am excited about the race would be an understatement!" Thierry added, brimming with anticipation for the journey.
The RORC Transatlantic Race promises to be a thrilling adventure for the Multihull Class, with every entrant looking to fulfil their lifelong dreams.
The RORC Transatlantic Race is supported by Calero Marinas, the International Maxi Association, and the Yacht Club de France. The RORC fleet will set off on the 12th of January 2025 from Marina Lanzarote to race 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean, bound for Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina in Grenada, West Indies.
For more information including on-line entry and the Notice of Race: rorctransatlantic.rorc.org
Current entries