With fewer than 50 days until the start of the 2026 RORC Transatlantic Race, attention has settled on four boats that look set to shape the battle for the overall win under IRC. Nineteen yachts are entered for the 3,000-mile passage from Marina Lanzarote to Antigua, and more may still join, but this group already carries a clear sense of purpose and pedigree.
Each brings different strengths. One leans on light displacement and acceleration, another on discipline and steady averages, a third on bold modern design, and the fourth on a proven record in ocean miles. What they share is an understanding that this race is won by keeping the boat moving when the breeze drops and the sea state turns awkward.
Neo 430 NeoJivaro – fast, light, and keen to make up for lost time
French skipper Yves Grosjean finally lines up for his first Transatlantic after an injury forced him out of the 2025 race. His Neo 430 NeoJivaro, a Giovanni Ceccarelli design, weighs only six tonnes and is known for punching out high bursts of speed and holding pace in lighter conditions.
Grosjean sees the race as much a test of his crew as of the yacht itself. Sleep, rotation, and recovery have been major focus points. The preparation reflects a simple aim: arrive on the start line with a crew able to push hard for the full crossing, not just the early days.
Ino Noir – tidy sailing over headline speeds
British owner-skipper James Neville returns with his Carkeek 45 Ino Noir, which placed third overall last time. Reliability issues slowed their 2025 season, so the past year has been spent tightening systems and removing weak points.
Neville’s approach is measured. He talks less about top speeds and more about avoiding the slow patches that drain daily averages. “This race rewards consistency,” he says. “It’s about staying ahead of wear, chafe, and tired minds.” Navigator Juan Vila joins a largely unchanged crew.
Lift 45 Maxitude – modern lines and plenty of power
French sailors Xavier and Alexandre Bellouard arrive with one of the most eye-catching boats in the fleet, the Marc Lombard-designed Lift 45 Maxitude. Its scow bow, broad forward sections and simple deck plan drew plenty of attention during its Rolex Fastnet appearance.
The Bellouards want to show that this style of hull form has a place well beyond the Class40 scene. Maxitude’s wide bow can carry power for long periods, and the boat doubles as a capable cruiser. “It’s a boat we can push, but still enjoy,” Xavier says. His wife will join them at the finish, taking advantage of the large forward cabin that sets the design apart from more stripped-back offshore yachts.
Palanad 4 – the latest chapter in a proven project
The Manuard-designed Palanad 4 is the only 50-footer in this group and replaces the exceptionally successful Palanad 3, winner of the 2021 race and the IRC record holder for the course. Skipper Antoine Magre leads a crew with deep experience in performance offshore sailing.
The team has spent the northern autumn refining the boat’s modes, checking trim numbers, and ensuring they can get the yacht up to pace from the first few miles after the start. Magre wants the boat to run at full potential for long stretches, not in isolated bursts. The crew includes Swiss sailor Simon Koster and Spain’s Pablo Santurde, both known for strong offshore instincts.
What decides a 3,000-mile race?
All four skippers talk about the same thing: keeping the boat moving when the sea is messy, the breeze fades, or fatigue creeps in. The finish order is rarely set on a high-speed surf. It is shaped by the hours when boats slow to single digits and crews must work to keep them rolling.
Their preparations reflect that mindset:
- NeoJivaro has concentrated on sleep systems and crew rotation.
- Ino Noir has targeted chafe, wear and equipment resilience.
- Maxitude has sharpened its trim ranges and learned how to manage its powerful bow shape.
- Palanad 4 has broken the race down into the small gains that lift daily averages.
Each team also carries a personal drive. Grosjean’s campaign is linked to Afazik Impulse, a project supporting people with cognitive challenges. Neville returns to prove that the lessons of last season can translate into a better performance. The Bellouards value the challenge and the shared experience of a father-and-son campaign. Magre wants to demonstrate the capability of the new generation of scow-influenced offshore designs.
A compelling contest ahead
Four boats, four approaches, and four reasons to believe they can win. The 2026 RORC Transatlantic Race will see contrasting design ideas and preparation styles take on one of offshore sailing’s purest tests.
The race, run with support from the International Maxi Association and Yacht Club de France, begins 11 January 2026 from Marina Lanzarote.
