The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) has published the 2025 Notice of Race, unveiling a thrilling programme of races for its centenary year. Highlights include the RORC Transatlantic Race, the RORC Caribbean 600, the Transatlantic Race 2025 (West-East), the Rolex Fastnet Race, and the much-anticipated return of the Admiral’s Cup.
The season features the RORC Season’s Points Championship, the world’s largest offshore racing series, with well over 600 boats expected to participate in the 16-race programme.
Mandatory Satellite Tracking for 2025 RORC Races
Beginning with the Cervantes Trophy Race on May 3rd 2025, all offshore races organised by the RORC will require mandatory satellite tracking. This new measure will enhance race fans’ experience, providing real-time updates on boat positions as the race unfolds. Additionally, the RORC Race Team will benefit from improved logistics, particularly at the start and finish of each race, ensuring smoother operations and better fleet management.
The RORC has partnered with YB Tracking to offer competitors the YB trackers at a very affordable subsidised cost of £199 +VAT. The RORC will cover all data costs for tracking during its races, and the trackers come with a five-year warranty, making them a very cost-effective solution for competitors.
There is a six-week lead time for the trackers, so please email racing@rorc.org as soon as possible. You will receive an individual discount coupon with a code which you can then use on the YB website to order the tracker.
RORC Racing Manager, Steve Cole emphasised other benefits of tracking, saying: “We know that thousands of people tune into our races and additional tracking will be really popular with race fans. The trackers will also enhance the integrity of the sport by ensuring fair racing and compliance with designated routes and exclusion zones. RORC already has first-class safety regulations in place and the trackers will only add to that.”
Introducing the 2025 Cowes Offshore Series for Assuage Trophies
New to the 2025 centenary season, the Cowes Offshore Series is an exciting addition to the RORC Season’s Points Championship. This mini-series is designed for boats in each IRC Class, with the best five race results (excluding the Rolex Fastnet Race) counting towards the overall score for the series.
Running from early May to September, the Cowes Offshore Series includes the Cervantes Trophy, De Guingand Bowl, Myth of Malham, Morgan Cup, Cowes Dinard St Malo Race, Channel Race, and Cherbourg Race.
The Cowes Offshore Series is designed for teams who may not have the time or resources to travel further afield, the series offers a unique opportunity to race in top-tier events, all starting from Cowes.
The RORC Cowes Clubhouse will serve as the heart of the series, with crew suppers and social activities providing a fantastic atmosphere for competitors.