RORC Transatlantic Race 2018: a warm welcome in Lanzarote

The 5th edition of the RORC Transatlantic Race in association with the International Maxi Association, will start from Marina Lanzarote on Saturday 24 November 2018. A full programme of social activities started on Monday November 20, with a Welcome Reception hosted by the Real Club Náutico de Arrecife. Founded in 1872, the prestigious yacht club is located at the heart of Lanzarote's capital city. The delightful Pingüinos synchronized swimming team put on a spectacular display to open the evening's entertainment for competitors and honoured guests.

Tim Thubron, RORC Deputy Racing Manager welcomed all teams and officially opened the 2018 RORC Transatlantic Race at the first of several social events for crews taking part in the 3,000 nautical mile race. He also thanked the Calero family for their continued support, as well as the Real Club Náutico de Arrecife, hosts of the Welcome Reception.

On behalf of Calero Marinas, José Juan Calero greeted RORC Transatlantic Race crews to Marina Lanzarote: "We are really delighted and very excited about this, the 5th edition of the RORC Transatlantic Race. With the Supermaxi My Song at 40 metres, we have a new race record for the largest ever entry. There's also two outstanding trimarans once again, with the Multi 70 Maserati and MOD 70 PowerPlay; plus three Class40s which are a tremendously competitive class. On the other hand, we maintain the pillars of this race, with boats of all lengths who compete under IRC. We are very pleased that the RORC Transatlantic Race has now established itself worldwide as the race for sailors wishing to cross the Atlantic in competition mode. It is a really challenging and tough race and this is something that we at Calero Marinas really respect. Congratulations for making that decision and please count on us for anything you need before the start of the race," continues José Juan (JJ).

Julio Romero, President of the Real Club Náutico de Arrecife offered a warm welcome to the Club which has several top sailors amongst its membership, as well as a thriving junior sailing programme: "Welcome all crews and thank you to the Calero family who have done so much for the Club and the Island. We wish everyone good racing to Grenada and we look forward to your return one day."

Competing teams for the 2018 RORC Transatlantic Race are making ready for the race, using the full extent of the facilities at Marina Lanzarote. Henrik Bergesen's Class40 Hydra has been lifted out at the marina's extensive yard for anti-fouling and a final inspection of the hull before the race: "It's a good yard with a great reputation," commented Hydra's Paul Peggs. "Besides anti-fouling the boat, it is nice to have a look at her under the waterline and we have no issues at all, which is all good news."

Later today the shoreside events programme continues at Marina Lanzarote with a visit to the boats by young sailors from Real Club Náutico and students from the Maritime College, followed by a beer and cheese tasting in the race Event Lounge.

For further information, please go to: http://rorctransatlantic.rorc.org

(Report by Louay Habib/RORC)

NOTES TO EDITORS

RORC MEDIA ENQUIRIES:

Trish Jenkins - Press Officer

RORC Transatlantic Race

M: +44 (0)7880 518689

E:  trish@j2pr.co.uk

RORC RACE ENQUIRIES:

Royal Ocean Racing Club

T: +44 (0) 1983 295144

E:   racing@rorc.org 

W:  http://www.rorc.org/ 

ROYAL OCEAN RACING CLUB:

20 St James's Place

London SW1A 1NN

Tel: 020 7493 2248

Fax: 020 7493 2470

E: info@rorc.org 

THE RORC TRANSATLANTIC RACE:

The 2,865 nautical mile race runs through the Canary Islands before crossing the Atlantic to arrive at Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina in Grenada. Established in 1925, The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) became famous for the biennial Fastnet Race and the international team event, the Admiral's Cup. It organises an annual series of domestic offshore races from its base in Cowes, such as the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race, as well as inshore regattas including the RORC Easter Challenge

The club is based in St James' Place, London, but after a merger with The Royal Corinthian Yacht Club in Cowes, now boasts a superb clubhouse facility at the entrance to Cowes Harbour and a membership of over 4,000

The 5th edition of the RORC Transatlantic Race will start from Lanzarote on Saturday 24th November 2018

The annual race is organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) in association with the International Maxi Association (IMA) http://www.internationalmaxiassociation.com 

Race minisite: http://rorctransatlantic.rorc.org/ 

RORC website: www.rorc.org

Twitter: #rorctransatlanticrace @RORCracing

Facebook: www.facebook.com/royaloceanracingclub

Instagram: instagram.com/rorcracing 

IRC RATING:

The RORC has also been a leader in yacht handicap systems and in co-operation with the French offshore racing club, UNCL, created IRC - the principal yacht measurement system for the rating of racing yachts worldwide

The Spinlock IRC rating rule is administered jointly by the RORC Rating Office in Lymington, UK and UNCL Centre de Calcul in Paris, France

The RORC Rating Office is the technical hub of the Royal Ocean Racing Club and recognised globally as a centre of excellence for measurement. For Spinlock IRC rating information in the UK please see: www.rorcrating.com and for IRC rating globally www.ircrating.org 

Social media: www.facebook.com/rorcratingwww.facebook.com/ircrating  

Twitter @RORCrating @IRCrating 

THE INTERNATIONAL MAXI ASSOCIATION (IMA):

The International Maxi Association (IMA) represents owners of Maxi yachts worldwide. Recognised in 2010 as the World Sailing international class of Maxi yachts, the IMA has the exclusive right to organise World championships for Maxi yachts. The President of the IMA is Benoît de Froidmont, the Secretary General is Andrew McIrvine, also Admiral of the Royal Ocean Racing Club.

The IMA has been closely associated with the RORC Transatlantic Race since its inception. The IMA is registered in Geneva, has a base in Porto Cervo and an office in the UK, for rating and technical matters. It has two affiliated classes (Maxi 72s, and J Class) and one associated class (Wally Class). The IMA's function is to guide, structure and encourage maxi yacht racing worldwide

The IMA rule defines and categorises maxi yachts: it aims to embrace all maxi yachts and encourage any development that has a positive effect on the construction and performance of maxi yachts

The IMA Transatlantic Trophy is presented to the Line Honours Monohull in the RORC Transatlantic Race

www.internationalmaxiassociation.com 

CALERO MARINAS: 

Calero Marinas has developed and manages three marinas in the Canary Islands, having accrued over 35 years' experience in the sector. The Canaries' warm climate and regular supply of breeze has lead Lanzarote to become a favourite training ground for offshore race teams, whilst the combination of good flight connections and easily available services has created a popular and reliable base for international sailors

Marina Lanzarote is the newest addition to the group with secure berthing for vessels of up to 60m LOA, a wide range of services and the advantage of having the city and maritime quarter within a few minutes' walk

The shipyard is equipped to hoist superyachts and the inclusion of deep keel pits in the yard's design was considered especially to meet the needs of transoceanic racing yachts

www.caleromarinas.com 

https://www.facebook.com/CaleroMarinas/ @CaleroMarinas 

Enquiries: msymes@caleromarinas.com 

Other social media handles: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Canary.Islands.Tourism 

#CanaryIslands, Twitter: @CanaryIslandsEN, #CanaryIslands, Instagram: theCanaryIslands - #CanaryIslands. Lanzarote: FB: @Visit Lanzarote -# Lanzarote, Twitter: @TurismoLZT - #Lanzarote, Instagram : turismolzt - #Lanzarote. Arrecife: @Turismo Arrecife, Real Club Náutico de Arrecife:  https://www.facebook.com/rcna.info, @rcna.info 

CAMPER & NICHOLSONS MARINAS:

Camper & Nicholsons Marinas is widely recognised to be one of the world's oldest and most prestigious yachting business names, with origins dating back to 1782

The company has specialised in marina and waterfront development for over 40 years and has provided services to clients in more than 25 countries worldwide. Projects range from small marinas through to developments of over 500 hectares

Camper & Nicholsons Marinas Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Camper & Nicholsons Marina Investments Limited, listed on the AIM of the London Stock Exchange. Camper & Nicholsons Marinas currently operate marinas in Grenada, Italy, Malta, Cyprus, Turkey and the UK, with over 30 new projects currently under way all over the world

Owned and managed by Camper & Nicholsons Marinas, Port Louis Marina has transformed Grenada's yachting facilities. Overlooking the historic capital St Georges and designed to reflect the traditional Creole architecture, the marina offers 159 berths, including 30 superyacht berths for vessels from 25m to 90m LOA, and up to 6m draft

For more information about Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina visit: www.cnmarinas.com/plm 

Twitter: @portlouismarina

Facebook: www.facebook.com/portlouismarina 

Instagram: http://instagram.com/portlouismarina  

GRENADA TOURISM AUTHORITY:

The premium yachting destination in the southern Caribbean, Grenada and its sister islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique are widely considered to be the most unspoiled cruising grounds in the Caribbean. Famed for its people's warm and gregarious hospitality Pure Grenada, the Spice of the Caribbean has a varied topography of mountains, rainforests and waterfalls, fringed by icing sugar beaches and cooled by trade winds.

www.puregrenada.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/discovergrenada

Twitter:  www.twitter.com/discovergrenada

Instagram: www.instagram.com/discovergrenada

Youtube: www.youtube.com/puregrenada