RORC Round Britain & Ireland Race 2026 | The Full Race Story

Highlights from the 50th-anniversary RORC Round Britain and Ireland Race 2026—1,805 nautical miles around Britain and Ireland and one of offshore sailing’s greatest challenges. Featuring spectacular onboard footage, drone images from the start in Cowes, interviews with competitors before and after the race, and the story of overall winner Pace, this film captures the winners, the survivors and some of the extraordinary moments from the 2026 race. 32 boats. 182 sailors from five continents. 1,805 nautical miles. One epic race, held every four years. For more than two weeks, the fleet raced around one of offshore sailing’s most demanding courses: Land’s End, the wild west coast of Ireland, St Kilda and Muckle Flugga, before turning south into the navigational challenge of the North Sea and English Channel. The competitors faced Atlantic lows, wind holes, big seas and glassy calms. Boats surfed at more than 25 knots and, at other times, crews were forced to kedge at anchor against the tide. Sails were repaired, a boom shattered and sailors were pushed mentally and physically by fatigue. There were also unforgettable encounters with wildlife—including an owl that became one of the unexpected stars of the race. From Monohull Line Honours and the overall IRC victory for Johnny Vincent’s Volvo 70 Pace, to battles throughout the IRC classes and extraordinary stories from across the fleet, this is a taste of what it takes to race non-stop around Britain and Ireland. Follow RORC for more offshore racing films, race reports, interviews and stories from the world of ocean racing. Race website:www.roundbritainandireland.rorc.org Film and photography 🎥 Corinna Haines—@hainesfilms🎥 Drone—James Tomlinson—@jamestomlinsonphotography Onboard footage Many thanks to the sailors and teams who contributed footage from around the racecourse: RORC Griffin Pathway-Eimer, Fujitsu British Soldier, Bellino—Joe Griffiths, Palanad 4—Antoine Magre, Pace—Anthony Haines, Pete Cumming, Mzungu!—Sam White,Tigris—Maggie Adamson, Snifix Dry, Astrid—Paddy Moriarty, Jetpack, Mojo—Emma Breese, Sky Business – Game On, Varuna 6—Mike Broughton, Espresso Martini Too—Rich Corbin, Xantho, Pata Negra—Sam Hall, Kestrel—Simon Bamford and Zeb Fellows, Frida, Polished Manx—Maciek, Venomous Racing—Lewis Agate, Challenge Ocean #RORC #RoundBritainAndIrelandRace #RBIR #OffshoreRacing #YachtRacing #Sailing #IRC #Cowes #RoyalOceanRacingClub #OceanRacing #Volvo70 #Pace #GriffinPathway #Adventure