The 2026 Round Britain and Ireland Race will start on Sunday 9th August, marking the 50th anniversary of this legendary event. First held by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) in 1976, it has earned its reputation as one of the toughest offshore yacht races in the world. Organised by the RORC every four years, this 1,800-nautical mile challenge takes sailors on a non-stop circumnavigation of Britain and Ireland - starting and finishing in Cowes.
The course is legendary for its complexity and the likelihood of extreme conditions, testing crews with everything from Atlantic storms to tidal gates and manufactured hazards. Teams must be self-sufficient, resilient, and ready for anything. The course has infinite beauty with vistas of Land's End, the Wild West Coast of Ireland, St. Kilda and Muckle Flugga.
Open to monohulls and multihulls under IRC, MOCRA, and Class40, the race attracts professional and Corinthian teams alike. With record-breaking potential and unforgettable challenges, it's a truly epic offshore race.
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