The International Maxi Association (IMA) has teamed up with the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) in the organisation of the very first RORC Transatlantic Race and will hand over an exclusive vintage sterling silver trophy to the Line Honours winner.
Line honours victory for Hap Fauth's American Mini Maxi Yacht Bella Mente in action during the recent RORC Caribbean 600 - Credit: Tim Wright/photoaction.com
The IMA invites the expanding Maxi fleet to a new format of a classic autumn competition, starting from Puerto Calero, Lanzarote on 29 November and racing 2,800 n miles across the Atlantic to the inviting waters of Grenada in the Caribbean.
IMA Secretary General, Andrew McIrvine is pleased with the RORC association for the race: “The IMA’s support will provide a resounding endorsement of RORC’s new Transatlantic Race which has a strong future. With time, it will attract a large and competitive fleet that aspire to a real challenge and strong competition in a warm-water race to the Caribbean. The IMA are pleased to support the RORC organisation and are delighted that the beautiful island of Grenada has been chosen for the finish of the race. The IMA will continue the partnership with the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda with a planned rally and party at its yacht club in British Virgin Gorda following the finish of the RORC Transatlantic Race.”
The International Maxi Association has been expanding its activities since 2010 when the first Mini Maxi World Championship took place in Porto Cervo, Italy with 24 entries from two continents and 49 Maxis participating in the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup. Its growing membership boasts 12 Honorary Members and 60 Members with boats such as sailing yacht RÁN; charter yacht Sojana; luxury yacht Alegre; sailing yacht Bella Mente and superyacht Nilaya regularly competing in the RORC’s international racing programme of over 20 races, including the RORC Caribbean 600 and Rolex Fastnet Race.
It is anticipated that a strong fleet of Maxi, Mini-Maxi and Superyachts will take part in the inaugural RORC Transatlantic Race which also allows them to compete in Caribbean regattas before heading back to the yacht racing season both sides of the Atlantic.
Grenada Tourism Authority with Camper and Nicholsons Marinas, will host the first edition of the race to the spice island of Grenada which will also act as a set-up for The Atlantic Ocean Racing Series. This quadrennial event is run jointly by the New York Yacht Club, Royal Yacht Squadron, Royal Ocean Racing Club and Storm Trysail Club. Starting in February 2015 with the RORC Caribbean 600, followed by the Transatlantic Race from Newport R.I. to England, the Rolex Fastnet Race and finally the Rolex Middle Sea Race.
