Marina Lanzarote has hosted the official presentation of the RORC Transatlantic Race 2026, one of the most prestigious ocean races on the international calendar, which will set sail from Arrecife on Sunday, January 11, bound for Antigua (Caribbean), after a course of nearly 3,000 nautical miles.
The race reaches its 12th edition in 2026 and is organized by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC), in collaboration with the International Maxi Association and the Yacht Club de France, and Calero Marinas for the start from Lanzarote, forming part of the RORC Season Points Championship, the largest offshore racing circuit in the world.
This year's edition will feature a fleet of 21 vessels, including monohulls and multihulls, and around 150 sailors from up to 19 nationalities, combining amateur sailors, Corinthians, and prominent figures in ocean sailing. The IRC rating system will allow boats of different characteristics to compete on equal terms for overall victory.
Marina Lanzarote once again serves as the departure port for this Atlantic crossing, consolidating a relationship of over a decade. Its infrastructure, strategic location, and technical capacity make it a key enclave for preparing major ocean crossings. With this, Calero Marinas reaffirms its commitment to international sailing and to positioning Lanzarote as a nautical benchmark in the Atlantic.
During the presentation, José Juan Calero, CEO of Calero Marinas, highlighted the economic and media impact of the event on the island: “We are talking about a fleet with more than 150 sailors, many of whom have been in Lanzarote for months preparing their boats. Furthermore, the media impact of the last edition exceeded 6 million euros, placing Arrecife and Lanzarote in the international spotlight”.
For his part, Jeremy Wilton, CEO of the Royal Ocean Racing Club, emphasized that "to create a great event, four pillars are fundamental: a local organizer to trust, like Calero Marinas; good infrastructure and weather conditions; committed sponsors; and a spectacular fleet like the one that will set off this Sunday."
From the institutions, María Martín, representing Lanzarote Sport Destination, stated that "this regatta not only unites two continents, but also brings Lanzarote closer to the international nautical community, in a strategic action aligned with Lanzarote Sport Destination," while the sports counselor of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, Juan Monzón, highlighted "the opportunity that this international exposure represents and the economic impact it generates, the result of an exemplary public-private collaboration between Calero Marinas and the Sports area of the Cabildo de Lanzarote."
The event is backed by the Government of the Canary Islands, the Cabildo of Lanzarote, through its Tourism and Sports departments, and the Arrecife City Council, as well as the collaboration of Cicar and the Real Club Náutico de Arrecife, reinforcing the link with the local nautical community through parallel activities and educational actions.
The official start will take place on Sunday, January 11, off Arrecife, at 12:30 PM for monohulls and at 12:40 PM for multihulls. After the start, the fleet will sail around a turning mark off Puerto Calero, offering a spectacle from both land and sea. Additionally, a spectator boat will be available and children's activities will be organized. All proceeds will be donated to the Marine Litter Observatory, reinforcing the commitment to sustainability and the protection of the marine environment
Some prominent sailors also attended the event. Ned Collier Wakefield, skipper of the trimaran Zoulou (MOD70), is facing his sixth participation in this regatta. The experienced British sailor, a specialist in high-performance multihulls, has achieved victories and records in iconic events such as the Rolex Fastnet or the RORC Caribbean 600, and emphasized that he feels "always welcome in Lanzarote and in the Calero Marinas facilities, in addition to the ease of immediately starting an ocean race."
The young sailor Virginia Guillermo (Barcelona), aboard the new Be Cool (Swan 128), highlighted “the incredible conditions in Lanzarote for preparing an Atlantic crossing, with good weather and all the necessary services, in addition to the hospitality received”. A trained psychologist, she works as a professional rigger and crew member, has sailed in classes such as RC44, and has collaborated with The Ocean Race teams.
Local sailor Carlos Hernández Robayna, a native of Arrecife, is competing in the Raven (Baltic 112). A member of the Real Club Náutico de Arrecife, he has an extensive offshore career that includes participation in the MOD70 Maserati, the Volvo Ocean Race, and the Rolex Sydney Hobart, a race he won in 2025 alongside Simbad Quiroga, making them the first Canarians to achieve it. "Being able to take this start here means a lot to me; it's where I learned to sail and where I can have my loved ones close," he stated.For his part, Simbad Quiroga, a professional Canarian navigator with over 100,000 miles sailed before the age of 27, highlighted that "as it is a downwind regatta, it will be a comfortable crossing and everything points to the winds cooperating to provide a great spectacle."