Winners honoured at the 2024 RORC Annual Dinner & Prize Giving

The 2024 Royal Ocean Racing Club Annual Dinner and Prize Giving was held at Church House, Dean's Yard, Westminster. Celebrating an inspiring season of RORC racing, more than 200 guests enjoyed a cocktail reception and gourmet dinner at the magnificent Grade II listed building next to Westminster Abbey.

Against a backdrop of elegance and tradition, the Club honoured the season’s top performers with a glittering array of prestigious prizes. With trophies dating back over a century, the RORC Season’s Points Championship is a cornerstone of yacht racing history. As the world’s largest yacht racing series, it draws an extraordinary diversity of competitors racing under the IRC Rating Rule. Corinthian sailors race a breadth of different sized boats, competing against cutting-edge designs raced by professionals. Production racer cruisers are in the mix, as well as timeless classics.

RORC members and guests from across Europe and beyond gathered for a dazzling evening of celebration at the 2024 Annual Prize Giving. The RORC Racing Programme is truly international, with this year’s racing venues including: Malta, Canary Islands, Caribbean, United Kingdom, France, Netherlands, Ireland and Finland.

Master of Ceremony’s RORC CEO Jeremy Wilton welcomed RORC Commodore Deb Fish to the stage for an opening speech that congratulated all of the prize winners for the 2024 RORC Season.

The Commodore had special praise for RORC Admiral Mike Greville who will be leaving the role after a quarter of a century as RORC Flag Officer, Commodore and Admiral. Mike Greville is one of only a handful of sailors that had competed in over 20 Fastnet Races, and has always done so with a Corinthian crew of family and friends. In recognition of his length of commitment to the Club, he has been given Honorary Life Membership.

Guest speaker for the evening was Heather Thomas, Skipper of Maiden who gave a vivid and fascinating account of Maiden’s seven-month race and victory overall under IRC for the 2023-24 Ocean Globe Race. Maiden’s crew hail from five continents and is the first all-women team to win an around-the-world yacht race.

RORC Racing Manager Steve Cole, assisted by Commodore Deb Fish and Admiral Mike Greville, welcomed teams onto the stage to receive their prizes. The biggest cheer of the night was for Ross Applebey’s Scarlet Oyster, named 2024 RORC Yacht of the Year.

Ross Applebey’s Scarlet Oyster (GBR) has achieved a defining moment, winning the prestigious Somerset Memorial Trophy. After more than two decades of competing in the RORC Season’s Points Championship, this is the first time the Oyster 48 has claimed the top honour. Alongside this accolade, Scarlet Oyster won IRC Two and finished second overall in the Championship, plus the Gordon Applebey Trophy and the Assuage Trophy.

Reflecting on the season, Applebey said: “Going into the final race to Cherbourg we weren’t even favourites to win our IRC Class. The conditions didn’t look like they were going to suit us and we knew we had to try something bold. By taking a different strategic approach and splitting from the pack, we managed to pull off a result that not only secured IRC Two but also the Assuage and the Applebey Trophies. RORC Yacht of the Year, that wasn’t even on our radar.”

The Scarlet Oyster crew pay to race and several are in their 11th season with the boat. Together, the crew have raced thousands of miles for many seasons. Ross has sailed the boat, previously owned by his father, since he was a child, logging around 200,000 miles.

Applebey continued: “What makes this win truly special is that we are a corinthian team. Our bond as a tight-knit group of friends and our resilience - never giving up no matter the odds - are I believe, our greatest strengths. We’ve been short-listed before and have been at this for so long. To finally win RORC Yacht of the Year is a testament to the team’s dedication and perseverance. I couldn’t be prouder of the Scarlet crew. This victory is for all of us.”

Rob Craigie’s Sun Fast 3600 Bellino, racing Two-Handed with RORC Commodore Deb Fish, won the 2024 RORC Season’s Championship Overall for the second season in a row, retaining the Jazz Trophy.

“We are absolutely delighted to win the Jazz Trophy again and celebrate our most successful season yet,” said Rob Craigie. “This year has been a milestone for us, with titles like IRC National Double-Handed Champions, outright winner of the Myth of Malham, and second overall in a highly competitive Dhream Cup fleet. Add to that various class wins, including the tough Round Ireland race’s Double-Handed class - it’s been an incredible journey.”

“Preparation has been key,” RORC Commodore Deb Fish continued. “Optimising our IRC rating by going asymmetric this year was a game-changer, especially with the weather we encountered. Rob’s lead on boat maintenance and quick fixes kept us in the game, though challenges like the engine failure meant missing Cowes-Dinard. Using our budget wisely, including coaching with Mike Richards, has paid off, and we’ve greatly benefited from the solidarity and shared insights within the fleet, especially from teams like Mzungu and Red Ruby. This season has been one to remember!”

Nick Martin’s Sun Fast 3600 Diablo, racing Two-Handed with Cal Ferguson, was third overall for the RORC Season’s Points Championship. Diablo was awarded the Alan Paul Trophy for consistent high performance.

“A good season with some notable wins,” reflected Nick Martin on Diablo’s year. “We had a late start after stepping a new mast following our dismasting in the 2023 Rolex Fastnet Race. The highlight for me was the IRC Double-Handed Europeans where we faced top competition from France and the UK and made the podium with a third-place finish. I was incredibly proud of that. Another standout moment was watching Cal (Ferguson) win the Double-Handed World Championship with Maggie (Adamson). Sailing with someone like Cal, who is destined for bigger and better things, has been a real privilege and a definite highlight for me.”

Following the awards, guests enjoyed a complimentary bar and lively DJ set, with partygoers dancing well into the early hours. Much of the conversation on the night revolved around next year’s historic season. The Royal Ocean Racing Club is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2025 with a series of special events both on and off the water.

The 2025 racing season is packed with exciting events, including the conclusion of the West-East Transatlantic Race, the prestigious Rolex Fastnet Race, and the much-anticipated return of the Admiral's Cup.