Please select your home edition
Edition
Exposure Marine

Eddie Warden Owen to step down as Royal Ocean Racing Club CEO

by RORC 22 Dec 2020 02:36 PST

After 12 years at the helm of the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC), Eddie Warden Owen has informed the club of his desire to step down as Chief Executive Officer in 2021.

The identification of a replacement has already begun, and the intention is for Eddie to leave his role in October, at the earliest, to allow the club time to recruit and to ensure a smooth transition.

The RORC has undergone significant development under Eddie's leadership and continues to be recognised as one of the world's most influential yacht clubs, especially in the discipline of offshore sailing. "The time is right not only for the club, but for me personally. The period since joining the RORC in 2008 has seen great changes in both its structure and racing activities. There is always more to be done and this is the moment for a fresh pair of hands on the wheel. I am looking forward to a new chapter in my life once the transition is complete. I might even get to do more sailing!"

"Eddie's shoes will be hard to fill," said Commodore James Neville. "During his tenure as CEO the club has expanded its membership, as well as its physical footprint and racing programme. Most importantly, as we approach our centenary in 2025, the RORC is in a strong position to look forward and to continue its role within the sport."

Born in Wales, Eddie was introduced to sailing in the 1960s by his father, a shipwright and founding member of the Holyhead Sailing Club. Such was his passion and skill, that in the early 1970s he swapped a career in teaching PE for sailmaking and a stab at the Olympics. Thwarted in this latter ambition by the boycott of the 1980 Moscow Games, Eddie turned to racing bigger boats where his ability and achievements were quickly spotted and led to a series of Admiral's Cup campaigns in the 1980s and 1990s and, significantly, an introduction to match-racing, the world of the America's Cup and fully professional sailing.

After being part of six Cup campaigns, one in Fremantle, two in San Diego, two in Auckland and one in Valencia, between 1987 and 2007, Eddie was looking for a change in direction just as the RORC was looking for someone new to run the club. Eddie's profile, his knowledge of the sport, natural rapport with owners, crew and professionals, as well as an ability to open doors, made him the perfect fit.

Since joining the club, Eddie has overseen the merger with the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club in Cowes giving the RORC a base on the south coast; the launch of RORC Caribbean 600 and RORC Transatlantic Race; the refurbishment of the London clubhouse in St James' and put the club's finances on a firm footing.

Eddie has also been responsible for the growth in entries and overall appeal of the club's signature event, the Rolex Fastnet Race. Lifting the limits on entries to allow more Corinthian crews, while at the same time embracing the participation of professional classes, such as IMOCA 60s, Class 40s and grand prix multihulls, has enabled the race to flourish. The club's desire to expand the fleet further led to the decision to move the finish of the 2021 and 2023 Rolex Fastnet Races to Cherbourg, which has the facilities and wherewithal to accommodate and host a fleet of over 350 yachts. As one of the architects of this move, Eddie will continue to work with the event's partners in the lead up and during the 2021 race to ensure its success.

www.rorc.org

Related Articles

IRC UK National Championships overall
Adam Gosling's JPK 1080 Yes! crowned overall champion The final day of the 2025 IRC National Championships, part of the Royal Thames Yacht Club's 250th Anniversary Regatta, began on schedule, with a steady south-westerly breeze bringing yet another twist to the range of conditions experienced. Posted on 16 Jun
IRC UK National Championships day 2
Caro leads in IRC Zero after three races by a single point In Race 1, Karl Kwok's TP52 Beau Geste scored a dramatic victory, overlapped through the finish line with Stefan Jentzch's Botin 56 Black Pearl. Beau Geste took the gun and the race win after IRC time correction. Posted on 15 Jun
IRC UK National Championships day 1
From dead calm to dead heat Racing on Day 1 of the 2025 IRC UK National Championships began under clear skies and glorious sunshine, but a lack of wind delayed the start for all classes. Posted on 13 Jun
Women sailors reflect on Admiral's Cup inclusion
Pivotal milestones, but there is still so much more to achieve The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) has long acknowledged the slow but steady path toward gender inclusion in offshore sailing. Posted on 11 Jun
2025 IRC National Championships preview
This year's event has teams racing from all over the world The 2025 IRC National Championship, part of the Royal Thames Yacht Club's 250th Anniversary Regatta, will bring together over 50 IRC-rated boats for three days of competitive inshore racing in the Solent. Posted on 10 Jun
Warrior EAORA top scoring boat in North Sea Race
Winning the Charlie Mills Memorial Trophy Simon Farren's A40 Warrior, co-skippered by Ben Peter, won class two in ther RORC North Sea Race - so winning the Charlie Mills Memorial Trophy for the highest placed EAORA boat in the race. Posted on 4 Jun
RORC centenary Rolex Fastnet Race
All set for another record-breaker Less than two months now remain until the start of the 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race, this year coinciding with the Royal Ocean Racing Club's centenary. Posted on 2 Jun
The call of the mighty
See the words Admiral's Cup and you immediately think approachable, real, hardcore action See the words Admiral's Cup and you immediately think approachable, real, hardcore action, braving the elements, and glory for the victorious. As an Australian, you have King Louie (the late Lou Abrahams), and the late Sir Jim Hardy as the poster boys. Posted on 1 Jun
2025 North Sea Race
Wind farms, whiskers, winning moves After time correction, Rob Craigie's Sun Fast 3600 Bellino, racing double-handed with co-skipper RORC Commodore Deb Fish, was the winner by just 53 seconds after 22 hours of racing. Posted on 1 Jun
2025 Offshore Double Handed Worlds preview
Global competition and an iconic venue The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC), in collaboration with Cap-Regatta and supported by Lorient Grand Large, The Yacht Club de France and Jeanneau, is proud to host the 2025 Offshore Double Handed World Championship. Posted on 29 May
Mackay Boats 728x90 BOTTOMCyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERExposure Marine