2024 RORC Transatlantic Race Start Lanzarote Sunday January 07, 2024

The 10th edition of RORC Transatlantic Race started in superb conditions outside Marina Lanzarote. Flat water, 10 knots of breeze and 20 degrees of air temperature provided spectacular sailing conditions for the start of the 3,000 mile oceanic race. However, the diverse fleet is well aware that two vicious low pressure systems to the north will bring feisty conditions, should any of the international fleet choose the ‘high road’ across the Atlantic to Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina, Grenada.

Both the Multihull and Monohull starts got away clear with Jason Carroll’s MOD70 Argo (USA) crossing the start line just ahead of Alexia Barrier’s MOD70 Limosa (FRA). Half an hour into the race, Argo and Limosa were overlapped in the zone around the turning mark at Puerto Calero. Argo held off Limosa to retain the lead, but not for long; the breeze faded and Limosa briefly took pole position. As the wind accelerated, Erik Maris’ MOD70 Zoulou found an extra gear to pass Limosa at 17 knots of boat speed and challenge Argo for the lead.