Please select your home edition
Edition
V-DRY-X

Jangada win RORC Yacht of the Year 2020

by Louay Habib 17 Dec 2020 22:29 AEDT
Jangada, Richard Palmer's British JPK 10.10 announced as RORC Yacht of the Year 2020. L to R: Richard Palmer and Jeremy Waitt with the Somerset Memorial Trophy - awarded for outstanding racing achievement by a RORC Member © RORC

The 2020 RORC Yacht of the Year, winning the Somerset Memorial Trophy is the British JPK 10.10 Jangada, owned by Richard Palmer. Racing with Jeremy Waitt as crew, Jangada was the overall winner of the RORC Transatlantic Race and winner of the Two-Handed Class for the RORC Caribbean 600. Only two other Two-Handed teams have won the award before; Shaun Murphy with Slingshot in 2006 and Nick Martin with Diablo-J in 2012.

For the first time in the history of the club the RORC Season's Points Championship had to be cancelled. Health restrictions made it impossible to run overnight races for all IRC classes. Whilst Richard Palmer was recovering from a knee operation, Jangada was raced Two-Handed by Jeremy Waitt and Shirley Robertson, winning the newly organised Two-Handed Autumn Series.

Since 1965, the Somerset Memorial Trophy has been awarded for outstanding racing achievement by a RORC Member. Despite most of the 2020 season being cancelled, the RORC Committee thought it appropriate to continue with the history of the trophy in highlighting the outstanding racing achievement of Jangada in 2020.

Richard Palmer was asked to comment on receiving the award and what advantages a Corinthian team may have: "I'm delighted for Jangada, for those that have raced onboard, and all the people who support our campaign. As Corinthian sailors we are in control of our campaign, the races we choose, the investment in the boat and the pace we set, which places us under less external pressures or constraints. It is a huge accolade to be recognised by one's peers in such a way."

Jeremy Waitt commented on the win and the keys that have unlocked the success: "When you look down the list of previous winners it's incredible to have Jangada as part of that dynasty of yachts. The whole Jangada team, both ashore and afloat, is very proud to be part of this success.

"Success takes patience and time; for us the real effort has been the last 10 years, both with Jangada Too (J/109) and now with Jangada (JPK 10.10). We have systematically worked our way through our approach and left no aspect unturned to find what it takes to win races consistently at this level. We have been lucky to have some great sailors aboard to coach and feedback about our methodologies and this continues to help us gain the incremental margins."

Jangada is planning to come back racing next year in the 2021 RORC Season's Points Championship, including the Rolex Fastnet Race. For more information: www.rorc.org

RORC Yacht of the Year - 2009-2020 winners - Somerset Memorial Trophy

2020 Jangada, JPK 10.10, Richard Palmer
2019 Wizard, Volvo 70, Peter and David Askew
2018 Ichi Ban, TP52, Matt Allen
2017 Lisa, First 44.7, Nick & Suzi Jones (skippered by Michael Boyd)
2016 Teasing Machine, A13, Eric de Turckheim
2015 Azzam, Volvo Ocean 65, skippered by Ian Walker (Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing team)
2014 Antix, Ker 39, Anthony O'Leary
2013 Courrier Vintage, MC34 Patton, Sam Marsaudon & Géry Trentesaux
2012 Diablo-J, J/105, Nick Martin
2011 RÁN, JV 72, Niklas Zennström
2010 Tonnerre de Breskens 3, Ker 46, Piet Vroon
2009 Puma Logic, Reflex 38, (skippered by Philippe Falle)

Related Articles

Rolex Fastnet Race IRC One preview
Beyond the French legends there is plenty of international talent with podium potential With 17 editions of the Rolex Fastnet Race to his name, including five class victories along the way and an outright victory in 2015, could anyone bet against Géry Trentesaux doing it again? Posted on 4 Jul
B&G support Admiral's Cup and Rolex Fastnet Race
Providing a fully equipped Technical Support Hub at Cowes Yacht Haven B&G®, the world's leading sailing electronics manufacturer, today announced its support of the Royal Ocean Racing Club's Admiral's Cup and Rolex Fastnet Race 2025, delivering expert technical support and tailored on-site services throughout the event. Posted on 4 Jul
Unforgettable Transatlantic Race 2025 finish
First to arrive was Ocean Fifty Calamity, co-skippered by Timo Tavio and Kimo Nordström. It was rush hour in Cowes on Day 15 of the west-to-east Transatlantic Race 2025, as boats crossed the finish line in Cowes within minutes of each other after an epic 3,000-mile battle for top honors in IRC 1. Posted on 3 Jul
Rolex Fastnet Race: Offshore classics set to race
IRC Zero has a rich seam of ocean-going history running through it IRC Zero has a rich seam of ocean-going history running through it. While French round the world race legend Jean-Luc Van Den Heede (aka VDH) isn't competing in the Rolex Fastnet Race, two of his former steeds will be on the IRC Zero start line. Posted on 2 Jul
An evening with the Scaramouche Sailing Trust
Sailing hasn't always been a sport for inner-city state schools like the Greig City Academy Sailing hasn't always been a sport for inner-city state schools like the Greig City Academy (GCA). But they've shown it can be accessible to everyone, with amazing results. Posted on 2 Jul
Admiral's Cup 2025 | Interview with the CYCA Team
A highly experienced team for the revived Admiral's Cup regatta from July 17 The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia is fielding a highly experienced team for the revived Admiral's Cup regatta that will be run from Cowes on the Isle of Wight in the UK, from 17th July 2025. Posted on 1 Jul
Luna shines bright in 2025 Morgan Cup Race
This was a truly international fleet with the majority of the teams from the UK and France The start of the Morgan Cup Race was a spectacular sight with over 100 boats beating to windward into the Western Solent for the fourth race of the Cowes Offshore Racing Series and the 11th race of the 2025 RORC Season's Points Championship. Posted on 30 Jun
Introduction to the Admiral's Cup/Fastnet 2025
After a 22 year abscence, the renowned Admiral's Cup is back. After a break of 22 years, the renowned Admiral's Cup is returning to the international yacht racing scene in July 2025. One short ocean race, three days of inshore racing, and then the fabled Fastnet to finish Posted on 29 Jun
Rolex Fastnet Race at 100 – the making of a giant
At present 469 yachts have entered this special edition - a far cry from its humble origins in 1925 One month remains until the 26 July start of the Rolex Fastnet Race, this year celebrating both its centenary as well as that of the club it spawned: the Royal Ocean Racing Club. Posted on 27 Jun
Tschüss 2 - Transatlantic Titans
Line Honours for Christian Zugel's Volvo 70 in the Transatlantic Race 2025 Volvo 70 Tschüss 2 (USA), owned by Christian Zugel and co-skippered by Johnny Mordaunt, has taken Line Honours in the West to East Transatlantic Race 2025 in an elapsed time of 07 Day 15 Hrs 29 Mins and 10 Secs. Posted on 26 Jun
Vetus-Maxwell 2021 v2 FOOTERV-DRY-XSydney Boat Show 2025 - Apply to Exhibit