2025 RORC Cowes Offshore Racing Series wrap-up
by Louay Habib / RORC 11 Sep 06:16 PDT
2025 RORC Cowes Offshore Racing Series © Paul Wyeth / RORC
The Royal Ocean Racing Club's inaugural Cowes Offshore Racing Series has signed off in style after seven thrilling, hard-fought races, marking the start of a bold new chapter for Solent-based offshore competition.
Created to bring fun, competitive and impeccably run offshore racing closer to home, the series delivered everything it promised — and more: tactical duels, testing overnight passages including a cocktail of short sprints and coastal classics, all with the RORC's hallmark professionalism and the vibrant welcome of the RORC Cowes clubhouse.
Launched in the Club's Centenary year, the series gave over 500 sailors, both Corinthian and professionals, the chance to go bow-to-bow in a compact but demanding programme. With the best five races counting from seven, the fleet faced everything the Channel could throw at them — from glassy Solent drifters where inches mattered, to bruising legs around notorious headlands and into the open sea.
Series champions crowned
IRC Zero - Graeme Lewis' CM60 Venomous emerged at the top of the big-boat fleet, outscoring the Admiral's Cup youth team, Ker 46 ROST Van Uden skippered by Gerd-Jan Poortman. Ross Hobson's Open 50 Pegasus was third.
IRC One - Offshore legend Géry Trentesaux once again proved his class, steering Ker 43 Long Courrier to victory. Michael O'Donnell's J/121 Darkwood took class victory in the final race to take second and Dawn Treader completed the series podium.
IRC Two - Ross Applebey's Oyster 48 Scarlet Oyster continued its remarkable winning pedigree, securing the series crown ahead of Robin Herbert's J/133 Corazon. Richard Catchpole's First 40 Minnie the Minx was third for the series.
IRC Three - The Two-Handed specialists shone, with Rob Craigie's Sun Fast 3600 Bellino raced with RORC Commodore Deb Fish taking the series, just edging out Sam White & Sam North racing JPK 1080 Mzungu in a double-handed duel that went down to the wire. Simon Bamford's Sun Fast 3300 Kestrel was always in the running and secured third.
IRC Four - Mark Brown's JPK 1010 Jetpack proved unstoppable, with Mitchell Fowler's JPK 1010 Jaasap runner up. Tim Goodhew and Kelvin Matthews' racing Sun Fast 3200 Cora completed the podium.
Multihull Class - Peter Coote's Dazcat 1295 Slinky Malinki took honours ahead of sistership Minor Swing sailed by Didier Bouillard.
A new series in the offshore calendar
The Cowes Offshore Racing Series has quickly established itself as a must-sail circuit for both Corinthian and professional crews. Its format — racing from the Solent into the Channel and back — combines accessibility with offshore challenge, while delivering exciting racing for crews and warm and lively welcome at the RORC Cowes Clubhouse, before and after racing.
As the Royal Ocean Racing Club looks ahead, the Cowes Offshore Racing Series is set to become a cornerstone of the racing calendar. 2025 Class winners will take to the stage to collect their Assuage Trophies at the RORC Centenary Annual Dinner & Prize Giving on November 15th at the Sheraton Grand London.
For more information about the Royal Ocean Racing Club: www.rorc.org