The second edition of the eagerly awaited RORC Transatlantic Race kicked off from Marina Lanzarote in Spain over the weekend, with the fleet enjoying an amazing start in Atlantic swell and a solid 15 knots of breeze from the north east. The race is expected to be marked by close battles within the fleet for the next 3,000 miles, before the yachts reach the finish at Camper & Nicholsons‘ Port Louis Marina in the beautiful Grenada yacht charter location, nestled in the Caribbean.

Jean-Paul Riviere’s Finot 100 Yacht Nomad IV and the Southern Wind 94 Yacht Windfall enjoy a close battle at the start – Photo credit to RORC/James Mitchell

“A fantastic start,” commented Eddie Warden Owen, Chief Executive of the Royal Ocean Racing Club. “Beautiful conditions for the fleet which all got away extremely well under full sail. Every single yacht competing in this race has been so well prepared and they are all expecting a very competitive race across the Atlantic. There are battles throughout the fleet which will undoubtedly have many twists and turns over the next few days and weeks of racing. Safety is always our top priority and after that major consideration, these teams are all up for the challenge of pushing hard across the Atlantic.”

Three powerful Maxis are participating in the RORC Transatlantic Race, with the Southern Wind 94 superyacht Windfall, taking part for the second occasion. Skippered by Irish Olympic sailor Timothy Goodbody, Windfall made the best start to lead the Maxis to the first mark at Puerto Calero Marina, just holding off Jean-Paul Riviere’s French Finot-Conq 100 superyacht Nomad IV, which is also participating for the second time. Will Apold’s Canadian Swan 78 yacht Valkyrie with a towering cathedral rig was not far behind the two larger rivals and holds a generous IRC rating advantage.

After rounding Tenerife, the next mark of the course is Glover Island Light in Grenada, positioned about 3,000 miles south west across the Atlantic.