All systems go for the Royal Western Yacht Club's Lonely Rock Race!

Lonely Rock Race 2020 © RWYC

With just 2 weeks to go before the start of the RWYC Lonely Rock Race 2020, we are beyond excited to say that we are going ahead!

The organisation for this race has been like no other, essentially starting a new fixture in the offshore diary from scratch in January with a vision of keeping this great race alive. Now, 8 months later we are almost there.

It goes without saying, the primary concern has been and continues to be COVID-19.

Royal Western Yacht Club Commodore and Race Director Chris Arscott said, "From the outset, our management team have been monitoring each stage of the pandemic and how this has been affecting the nations return to sport. Working with the Chief health advisor to Plymouth City Council and working in a similar way to the England cricket team, we have come up with a plan to create the first contactless, COVID-19 safe offshore race environment for all those who wish to participate. For example, we have all entry processes operating online, including the registration and briefings. Trackers are being dropped off at collection points all over the south coast, there are absolutely no gatherings whatsoever. Then, once the crews join their teams onboard having isolated for a stated period of time, they will form a 'bubble'. Once in that bubble we are sure that they will be less at risk to COVID-19 than we are being part of the general public. All declarations will recognise this process and as such will create a safe race."

Arscott continues, "Unfortunately we have had to recently limit the entries to UK based boats only. This due to the volatile situation we are seeing in some areas of Europe. It is a shame that many of the bigger names will not be able to take part, but they all recognise our reasons for this. It was a late decision, but the right one. The 'Lonely Rock Race' have an entry list of 15 boats doing the race, many are 2 handed and all are working with us to ensure each-others safety.

"The Royal Western Yacht Club has a core heritage of offshore and oceanic racing. This is what the Lonely Rock Race is all about. Of course, we will miss the fun of the reception, celebrations at the finish and the big party that we would otherwise like to have offered, but we are here to provide a safe offshore yacht race, the party will come once we are able to, perhaps in 2 years!"

The Royal Western Yacht Club remains cognisant of the situation we are all in. We thank all those who have helped to pull this together, not least the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, all our partner sponsors, and of course those who have entered the race.

The Notice of Race is published online at the club website - https://rwyc.org/lrr/ COVID19 management measures are ongoing. Entry is now closed.

The RWYC would like to thank our race partners for their continual support for the Lonely Rock Race.

For further advice, information or questions please email and one of the race management team would be delighted to respond. For team shadowing as part of The Magenta Project, please contact

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