Please select your home edition
Edition
Doyle_SailWorld_728X90px_GP TOP

54 teams ready for 2023 ORC Double Handed Worlds in Barcelona

by Offshore Racing Congress 8 Sep 2023 12:51 PDT 9-15 September 2023
ORC Double Handed World Championship © Oscar Torveo

Starting tomorrow through 15 September Real Club Nautico Barcelona (RCNB) will host the second annual edition of the ORC Double Handed World Championship. The event is organized by RCNB, a delegation of the Royal Spanish Federation of Sailing (RFEV) under the authority of the Offshore Racing Congress (ORC) and the collaboration of the Catalan Sailing Federation (FCV).

The turnout is impressive: 54 teams from 9 countries are meeting in Barcelona and will be divided by size and speed into three fleets to compete for three World Championship titles: Class A, Class B and Class C. Each class will also recognize top-performing all-amateur teams in Corinthian division trophies.

After two days of inspections, racing will start on Monday at 1100 CET with a Long offshore race, followed on Thursday starting at 1100 with a Short offshore race of shorter duration.

The race lengths will vary from 70 to 200 miles, with the specific routes determined closer to the start of each race based on weather conditions to ensure an appropriate range of length, wind angles and duration for a World Championship. The course options will vary, with some taking participants from the coast of Barcelona to the Balearic Islands and back while other options will explore the Catalan coast.

The entry list shows an enormous variety of boat types entered in this championship that range from 34 to 50 feet in length. All entries are measured and ratings determined using the ORC system, which calculates each boat's performance potential in a wide variety of wind conditions that allow race managers to fairly score the races in these conditions.

Among the favorites next week is Jordi Zaragoza's (ESP) X362 Sport LA ORANA from Club Nautic Vilanova, who won the 50th edition of the Conde de Godó Sailing Trophy and has shown exceptional performance in the 2023 Palma Vela regatta. Another Spanish favorite is Tito Moure and Tony del Rio's Swan 45 SMERIT from Club Vela Blanes, one of the largest boats in the fleet and a regular on the podium at events like Palma Vela, SM La Reina, and the Conde de Godó Sailing Trophy.

A third favorite from Spain and a local RCNB-based entry is Iván Olivé Bermejo and Antonio Pozo Tamarit's Beneteau Figaro 2 SHAKA who recently finished second in the Conde de Godó Trophy.

Overseas international talent is also in Barcelona now for the event and are also considered strong contenders: Jonathan McKee and Alyosha Strum-Palerm from the USA are racing their Sunfast 3300 RED RUBY here after an active and successful 2023 season spent in the highly-competitive DH racing scene in France and the UK. McKee is a past World Champion in many classes and a veteran of America's Cup and Volvo Ocean Race events.

"We're pleased to see such a strong turnout and interest in Barcelona," said ORC Chairman Bruno Finzi. "Double Handed sailing has been an important and growing sector of offshore racing worldwide, and at ORC we have been providing ongoing support with our rating tools to produce fair racing. We wish all teams a great regatta."

For more info and results from the 2023 ORC DH World Championship, visit the event website.

Related Articles

Varadero Valencia sponsors 26th SM La Reina Trophy
The flagship race at the Real Club Náutico de Valencia Varadero Valencia underlines its commitment to yachting by sponsoring, as in other years, the SM La Reina Trophy regatta and the ORC1 class. Posted on 3 Jul
Four days to start the 5th AEGEAN 600
The fleet has a wide range of sizes and types represented Nearly all 60 teams are assembled here at the Olympic Marine venue getting ready for the start of the 5th edition of the AEGEAN 600, organized by the Hellenic Offshore Race Club (HORC) with co-organizers being Olympic Marine and Region of Attica. Posted on 2 Jul
Some thoughts on provisioning for distance sailing
A new perspective on provisioning and time spent at sea One of the great joys of distance racing unfurls the moment that the dock lines are untied. Suddenly, the myriad packing lists that inevitably define most trip-planning efforts become about as relevant as a tax return from eight years ago. Posted on 1 Jul
Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy 2025 Preview
International sailing & ocean conservation unite in Cascais From July 4 to 6, Cascais hosts the biggest sailing regatta of the year with a strong focus on sustainability. The Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy celebrates six years of diversity, competition, and environmental commitment. Posted on 30 Jun
From ORC to DH: The XR 41 Delivers Again
All eyes were on the new XR 41 during the Maior Regatta in Kiel All eyes were on the new XR 41 during the Maior Regatta in Kiel, where she convincingly won under ORC. The boat has proven her versatility by taking on Denmark's Fyn Cup — and winning again. Posted on 29 Jun
First-ever ORC North American champions crowned
Fox, Zammermoos and Teamwork win at Block Island Race Week 2025 After completing the full schedule of races - 9 in the ORC 1 class and 10 in the ORC 2 and 3 classes - three new ORC North American Champion teams have been crowned on Friday at the Storm Trysail Club's 31st biennial Block Island Race Week. Posted on 28 Jun
31st Block Island Race Week Day 5
IHG Hotels and Resorts Race Day concludes the event Block Island Race Week's final tent party was abuzz with anticipation and excitement Friday evening, as sailors and spectators awaited the announcement of cumulative awards for the regatta's 60th anniversary. Posted on 27 Jun
31st Block Island Race Week Day 4
Round The Island Race on Mount Gay Rum Race Day Mount Gay Rum Race Day featured everyone's favorite race of Block Island Race Week: the Regatta Craft Mixers Round The Island Race. The breaking of the recent heatwave made for a fast and furious counter-clockwise lap. Posted on 26 Jun
Tight racing at ORC North American Championship
Two days of racing remain before titles awarded in three classes With three days of racing completed over 7 Windward-Leeward courses, the scorelines are filling up for all three classes competing in the first ORC North American Championship at Storm Trysail Club's Block Island Race Week. Posted on 26 Jun
31st Block Island Race Week Day 3
Soaring temperatures on Risk Strategies Race Day Risk Strategies Race Day at Block Island Race Week featured another day of champagne conditions and soaring temperatures. To give sailors a brief reprieve, the Race Committee called for an "early" end to racing (only 2 long races instead of 3). Posted on 25 Jun
PredictWind - GO! exec 728x90 BOTTOMLloyd Stevenson - Catalyst Yacht Tender 1456x180px BOTTOMSea Sure 2025