Overview
The Royal Ocean Racing Club grew out of the first Fastnet Race in August 1925, from Ryde round the Fastnet Rock to Plymouth, and has organised offshore races ever since. It organises the Rolex Fastnet Race, the RORC Caribbean 600, the RORC Transatlantic Race, the Round Britain and Ireland Race and the Roschier Baltic Sea Race, plus a season's points championship over its offshore programme, and revived the Admiral's Cup in 2025. The club developed the RORC rating rule and later CHS, from which today's IRC rule descends. It has a London clubhouse at 20 St James's Place and a clubhouse with rooms, restaurant and the Fastnet Bar on The Parade in Cowes; the Griffin Offshore Pathway brings young sailors into offshore racing.
- Founded
- 1925
- Federation
- Royal Yachting Association
- Phone
- +44 20 7493 2248
- Registry code
- 06035496
On the water with VesselSOS
- Family see you from shoreA live link in any browser – they don’t need the app.
- One tap to the right rescue centreHere JRCC Fareham – the app switches centre as you move, with your position and call script even without signal.
- Return-time checkIf you’re not back in time, your people know.
- Shared hazard mapRocks, nets and other hazards reported by other boaters.
Regattas and series
Run or hosted by the club, per the club website. Dates and notices are on the club site.
- Rolex Fastnet Racethe club's founding offshore race, round the Fastnet Rock; first sailed in 1925; record 430 starters in 2023
- RORC Caribbean 600600-mile race round the Caribbean islands from Antigua, first sailed in 2009
- RORC Transatlantic Racetransatlantic offshore race; 2027 edition open for entries
- Round Britain and Ireland Racenon-stop race of about 1,760 miles round Britain and Ireland, first run in 2006
- Roschier Baltic Sea Race635-mile offshore race starting and finishing in Helsinki, first run in 2022
- Channel Raceshorter offshore race in the English Channel, introduced in 1928
- Admiral's Cupinternational offshore team championship conceived in 1957; revived in 2025
- RORC Season's Points Championshipseason-long championship over the club's offshore races
Live map, a start clock on every phone and results — when the club runs a race on VesselSOS Racing, it shows up here. Racing is a pilot with clubs for the 2027 season.
No race running right nowSee VesselSOS RacingSailing school and courses
Boat classes
History and achievements
- 1925The first Fastnet Race (then 'the Ocean Race') starts from Ryde on 15 August and finishes in Plymouth; the Ocean Racing Club is formed after it, at the Royal Western Yacht Club in Plymouth
- 1928The Channel Race is introduced as a shorter offshore race
- 1931The Ocean Racing Club receives a Royal Warrant from King George V on 5 November
- 1950The club buys the freehold of 20 St James's Place, London; No. 19 next door follows in 1958
- 1957The Admiral's Cup is conceived
- 1965The first One Ton Cup is sailed
- 1971A first (temporary) clubhouse opens in Cowes
- 1984The Channel Handicap System (CHS) is introduced; IRC replaces it from 1997 and gains international status in 2003
- 1992The first Commodores' Cup is sailed
- 2006First non-stop Round Britain and Ireland Race (1,760 miles)
- 2009First RORC Caribbean 600
- 2014The club merges with the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club in Cowes
- 2022First Baltic Sea Race, 635 miles from and to Helsinki
- 2023The 50th Fastnet Race has a record 430 starters
Location
- Position
- 50°45.95′ N 1°18.06′ W
50.76580, -1.30107 - Address
- The Parade
Frequently asked
Can I learn to sail here?
Yes. The club lists these courses: Griffin Offshore Pathway.
Who do I call in an emergency at sea here?
Sea rescue: JRCC Fareham 999. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16.
When was Royal Ocean Racing Club founded?
In 1925.
Which regattas does the club run?
According to the club website, among others: Rolex Fastnet Race, RORC Caribbean 600, RORC Transatlantic Race and Round Britain and Ireland Race.