News - 31/07/18

The 2018 Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race will start on Sunday, 12th August from the Royal Yacht Squadron line in Cowes. This Race is undoubtedly one of the toughest of all yacht races. First organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) in 1995, the 1,805nm course is reputedly harder than a transatlantic race as it negotiates headlands with tidal challenges all around the UK, as well as the notorious British weather. The Race is on a four-year cycle because of its toughness, which is a step up from a typical RORC offshore and even the Rolex Fastnet Race. 

It attracts the serious RORC racer looking for a special challenge and this Race is special; three times longer than a Fastnet, circumnavigating all the islands of the UK, including Muckle Flugga, the most northerly point, which is a momentous place for any sailor as it is further north than Cape Horn is south!

For 2018 an amazing variety of yachts is set to race, with entries from world-class professional and passionate Corinthian sailors racing together to climb one of offshore racing’s biggest mountains.

All boats will carry trackers and full coverage of the race is available by visiting the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race’s minisite: roundbritainandireland.rorc.org. There is also plenty of information for spectators on how to follow the race, including a virtual regatta game.

Photo: Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland 2014 © Hamo Thornycroft