In an Atlantic crossing, whether racing or cruising, the ocean rewards preparation, patience and sound judgment. As competitors ready themselves for the 2026 RORC Transatlantic Race from Lanzarote to Antigua, three of offshore sailing’s most accomplished navigators are studying the same weather systems that shape any east to west passage. Their approaches may be sharpened by competition, but the lessons translate directly to long range cruising.

Chris Jackson, RORC race officer and an eight time Atlantic crosser, sets the strategic backdrop. “On current forecasts the weather outlook for the RORC Transatlantic Race this year is looking good,” he said. The trades appear well established, with a lighter wind exit from the Canary Islands before settling into steadier downwind conditions farther west. For cruisers, that familiar pattern reinforces the value of patience early on, resisting the urge to force speed until the trades fully fill in.

Jackson also points to factors cruisers know well. Isolated squalls may pepper the course, and much of the route is shaping up as a VMG run close to the rhumb line rather than a deep dive south. For passagemakers, that underscores the importance of balancing miles sailed against comfort and consistency, not simply chasing stronger breeze.

Juan Vila, navigating the Carkeek 45 Ino Noir, brings a perspective that resonates strongly with cruising sailors. Having navigated everything from America’s Cup yachts to record setting maxis, Vila emphasizes that boat speed dictates strategy. “On a fast boat you sail from one weather system to the next,” he said. “On a smaller boat you wait for the weather to come to you, so positioning becomes far more important.”

That mindset mirrors the reality aboard many cruising boats. Rather than hunting distant forecasts, Vila focuses on medium-range models, currents and the evolving shape of the trades. His advice applies offshore as well. Study how wind belts shift day to day, watch current flow and be ready to adjust course slightly to stay in pressure. Flexibility matters. “That flexibility is huge,” Vila said, noting how VMG sailing early and efficient reaching later can make a meaningful difference.

Vila also stresses instinct. “When you are in island shadows or playing squalls, you trust what you see,” he said. Cruisers threading squall lines at night or managing acceleration zones downwind know that no model replaces eyes on the water and experience built over miles.

At the other end of the spectrum is Will Oxley aboard the Baltic 111 Raven, a yacht capable of sustaining speeds that most cruisers will never see. Yet his core principles remain familiar. “The fundamentals of routing don’t change,” Oxley said. “Every boat has a polar and you run routings against that.”

For cruisers, the takeaway is knowing your own boat. Understand realistic speeds loaded for passagemaking and factor sea state into decisions. Oxley routes to avoid rough water even if it means sailing farther. That tradeoff will sound familiar to any crew choosing comfort and safety over shaving a few hours off an ETA.

Oxley also highlights the importance of understanding weather data rather than simply consuming it. “You must understand why they are showing what they show,” he said. High resolution models are powerful tools, but interpretation and context remain critical. New AI-based models may extend forecast confidence, but judgment still matters most.

Miles Seddon’s world aboard the MOD70 Zoulou is defined by speed and immediacy, yet his insights echo classic seamanship. “It looks like getting into the trade winds quickly and avoiding a ridge of high pressure north of the rhumb line will be key,” he said. For cruisers, that reinforces the classic Atlantic goal of finding sustained pressure and staying out of light air traps.

Seddon emphasizes discipline at speed. “We set clear limits on wind strength and direction before maneuvers,” he said. Long distance cruisers may not jibe at 30 knots, but preplanning sail changes, squall tactics and rest schedules is just as important when shorthanded.

Across three very different boats and mindsets, a common thread emerges. Data informs decisions, but experience refines them. Whether waiting for the weather to arrive, protecting the boat in big seas or committing to a conservative line through uncertain forecasts, the Atlantic demands respect.

As the RORC Transatlantic fleet prepares to depart Lanzarote, us mortal cruisers watching from afar can take comfort in a familiar truth: The same trade winds, squalls and currents shape every crossing. The best outcomes come from patience and preparation, and making every decision with the long view in mind.

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The Royal Ocean Racing Club has published the Notice of Race for the 2026 Round Britain and Ireland Race, officially opening entries for the 50th anniversary edition of the storied 1,805-nautical-mile offshore challenge. The race will start Sunday, August 9, 2026, from Cowes, Isle of Wight.

Invited divisions include IRC monohulls, multihulls, IMOCA entries, and one-design classes such as Class40. The course remains one of the most formidable in offshore racing, sending crews on a full circumnavigation of Britain and Ireland and leaving every island and rock, including Shetland’s remote Muckle Flugga, to starboard.

First held in 1976, the race demands constant seamanship and endurance as crews navigate shifting weather, tidal gates, exposed North Atlantic stretches, and headlands including Land’s End, St. Kilda, and Fair Isle.

“The Round Britain and Ireland Race is one of the ultimate tests in offshore sailing,” said RORC Racing Manager Steve Cole. “Its mix of coastal challenges and exposed ocean passages makes it both unpredictable and unforgettable. With the Notice of Race now published, we’re looking forward to welcoming an exceptional fleet in 2026.”

The race has produced some of offshore sailing’s most memorable performances. In 2014, the VO65 Azzam set the monohull record and skipper Ian Walker called the contest “brutal” yet extraordinary. “Mentally, nothing was tougher than the final 12 hours as the wind died away,” Walker said after the finish. “Looking back now, the most amazing thing about that edition is that we didn’t tack once until we were back at the forts.”

Richard Palmer, who won overall IRC honors in 2022 aboard his JPK 1010 Jangada while racing double-handed, called the course “a full-on race with absolutely no let-up.” He added that it delivers “close racing on the IRC ratings” and tests crews to the limit across changing weather systems and tidal gates.

Since 2006, Sevenstar Yacht Transport served as title sponsor. RORC thanked Sevenstar for its longstanding support and is seeking new partners for the 2026 race.

Online entry opens November 3, 2025, at roundbritainandireland.rorc.org. Race fans will be able to follow the fleet through live tracking and watch the start from shore in Cowes and other headland vantage points around the British Isles.

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The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) has confirmed that the next edition of the Admiral’s Cup will be held July 15–30, 2027. The announcement follows the successful revival of the event this year after a two-decade hiatus.

The Admiral’s Cup, first contested in 1957, has long been considered the unofficial world championship of offshore team racing. The event’s demanding format includes both inshore races and major offshore passages, culminating in the Rolex Fastnet Race.

“The 2025 Admiral’s Cup marked a new chapter for this historic competition,” said Race Director Steve Cole. “The response from sailors, teams, and supporters was extraordinary. The passion, skill, and camaraderie on display proved that the Admiral’s Cup remains the ultimate test of team racing in offshore sailing. In 2027, we intend to raise the bar even higher.”

Teams from across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Oceania are expected to compete in 2027, with the RORC anticipating an even larger international fleet. Pierre Casiraghi, Vice President of Yacht Club de Monaco and skipper of the victorious 2025 team, called the regatta “an extraordinary event, brilliantly organised and fiercely competitive.”

Further details on the 2027 Admiral’s Cup, including entry criteria and the full racing and social schedule, will be released in the months ahead.

More information is available at admiralscup.rorc.org.

Catch the final 2025 Admiral’s Cup race report HERE.

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