Among the fleet were inspiring stories: Ginkgo, Germany’s Admiral’s Cup hopefuls; Orixa, a family crew sailing for fun; and Astrid, led by 21-year-old skipper Paddy Moriarty, a youth crew carving their path.
But the real spotlight shone on Tim Webb’s Swan 42 Luna. The non-professional team from Lymington claimed overall victory under IRC. Webb recalled a wild, windy start and how their boat’s strength helped them escape the Solent early.
A new racing series designed to reshape offshore racing
The Royal Ocean Racing Club launched the Cowes Offshore Racing Series in 2025 to reshape offshore racing. The series combines seven classic races starting from Cowes into one progressive championship. To keep things fair, the Rolex Fastnet Race is excluded, so no single event dominates the leaderboard. Competitors score points from their best five races for the Assuage Trophies.
A new chapter for offshore racing: RORC launches Cowes Offshore Racing Series
The series aims to make offshore racing less daunting and more accessible. It appeals to busy sailors, owners of classic boats, and those preparing for bigger events like the Fastnet and Middle Sea Races. RORC Commodore Deb Fish highlights the social side too—crew suppers and clubhouse gatherings build a strong community around the racing.
The series doubles as a training ground. Teams build race-hardened crews, test offshore systems, and sharpen tactics. Mandatory satellite tracking connects fans to every race and supports smooth race management.
Lively season openers
Cervantes Trophy Race
The season opened with the Cervantes Trophy Race, which drew over 90 boats. British and French sailors made up most of the fleet, racing everything from Beneteau Firsts and J-Boats to classic yachts like Nicholson and Contessa. The top three IRC boats—Orbit, Kestrel, and Gameon—all sailed Jeanneau Sunfast 3300s, setting a competitive tone.
Cowes Offshore Racing Series 2025: A pathway to offshore racing’s upper tiers
De Guingand Bowl Race
Next came the De Guingand Bowl Race. Though smaller, it featured fierce battles. AMP-LIFI and Long Courrier led the IRC rankings, proving international diversity and skill.
The Myth of Malham Race
The Myth of Malham Race offered a taste of Fastnet’s opening 100 nautical miles, complete with tidal gates and night sailing. French boats Long Courrier and Foggy Dew impressed, while Orbit stayed in strong contention.
The Morgan Cup
Back to the Morgan Cup, the race course stretched 130 nautical miles from Cowes to Guernsey, passing iconic Channel landmarks like Peveril Ledge and Les Hanois. The race tested sailors with tidal streams and tricky final approaches to Castle Cornet.
Tim Webb praised his crew’s teamwork and the reliability of Luna. Their smart decisions in fading winds near Alderney and Guernsey helped them avoid delays. The finish was thrilling, with Sunrise IV and Darkwood closing fast. Webb’s team held on to claim a memorable victory.
Line honours went to Ron O’Hanley’s Cookson 50 Privateer, which edged out Teasing Machine by just 43 seconds. Strategic calls on reefing, spinnaker angles, and timing moves across the Channel made all the difference.
Youth development featured strongly with the RORC Griffin team, an all-female crew gaining vital offshore experience. Co-skipper Nicole Hemeryk called the Morgan Cup a “huge learning experience” that built their communication and trust.
Upcoming events
The Cowes Offshore Series continues with the La Trinité–Cowes Race in early July, expecting 60+ boats for the 320nm crossing. Upcoming events include the Cowes–Dinard–St Malo, Channel, and Cherbourg Races, all opportunities to gather points and sharpen skills.
As RORC celebrates its centenary year, the series embodies a century of offshore wisdom: structured competition, vibrant community, and the enduring appeal of sailing close to home.
