News Archive
Registration Opens for the 2026 Rolex Big Boat Series, serving as the 2026 ORC North American Championship
21. Jan 2026
The Notice of Race is posted and registration is open for the 62nd edition of Rolex Big Boat Series, hosted by St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco, California. In addition to four days of highly competitive racing in select classes, this year’s event also serves as the 2026 ORC (Offshore Racing Congress) North American Championship.
Sandberg PalmaVela 2026 opens entries for its two flagship events
07. Jan 2026
Entries are now open for Sandberg PalmaVela 2026, which has confirmed the dates for its two major events and will once again position Palma Bay and the Balearic archipelago as a key international hub for competitive sailing at the start of the European season.
ORC Calls Extraordinary General Meeting to Uphold Principles of Fairness and Transparency
06. Jan 2026
The Offshore Racing Congress (ORC) has officially issued a notice for an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), scheduled for January 29, 2026, at 1700 UTC. Conducted via teleconference, this meeting is a vital component of the ORC’s commitment to maintaining a fair, open, and transparent rule-making process. The Congress will address two remaining issues from the Annual Meeting held in Ireland in November.
A big thank you to Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia and Club Nautico Della Vela
05. Jan 2026
In mid-December, the Offshore Racing Congress (ORC) held its annual staff meeting in Naples, graciously hosted by Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia (CRVI). Over three productive days, the ORC team gathered for technical meetings and in-depth discussions, setting the course for the 2026 season and the many ORC-supported events taking place around the world.
Storm Trysail Club and Southern Ocean Racing Conference to Co-Host the 2027 ORC North American Championship in Fort Lauderdale
16. Dec 2025
The Southern Ocean Racing Conference (SORC) and Storm Trysail Club (STC) are thrilled to announce that they will co-host the 2027 ORC North American Championship in Fort Lauderdale, November 14–20, 2027 — a standout week featuring a dynamic mix of offshore, coastal, and buoy racing.
Entry Open for the ORC Europeans 2026: Discover the Unprecedented Venue at the City Centre of Klaipėda, Lithuania
11. Dec 2025
The Offshore Racing Congress (ORC) and Lithuanian Yachting Union, in collaboration with the City of Klaipėda, are excited to announce that the Notice of Race for the ORC European Championship 2026 has been published, and registration has begun on the Manage2Sail platform. The first teams from Norway, Latvia and Lithuania have already registered.
Joint Statement from ORC and X-Yachts
08. Dec 2025
ORC and X-Yachts are working closely together to address the technical questions raised regarding the XR41 and the current parameter limits within the ORC VPP. Both parties share a common goal: to ensure a fair, accurate, and scientifically robust rating system for 2026 and beyond.
Expansion of ORC Sportboat Class at Charleston Race Week at Patriot’s Point
25. Nov 2025
Charleston Race Week at Patriot’s Point is thrilled to announce an exciting expansion of the ORC Sportboat Class for the 2026 ORC Sportboat North American Championship that will be hosted during the 30th anniversary edition of Race Week next April 16-19.
Scheveningen to Host ORC Double Handed World Championship 2026 during the North Sea Regatta
24. Nov 2025
The Hague, The Netherlands – The Offshore Racing Congress (ORC) and Jachtclub Scheveningen, in collaboration with the City of The Hague, are proud to announce that the ORC Double Handed World Championship 2026 will take place in Scheveningen from 18th to 25th of May, 2026, as part of the North Sea Regatta – the largest and most prestigious regatta on the North Sea.
The Viking Challenge: A New Flagship ORC Series for Northern Europe
13. Nov 2025
Northern Europe’s big boat racing scene is entering a new chapter with the launch of the Viking Challenge, a Scandinavian and Northern European ORC regatta series set to begin in 2026. The Viking Challenge is designed to provide a unified, high-performance racing platform for the region’s most ambitious teams, connecting several of Northern Europe’s leading offshore events into one competitive series.
Introducing ORC Light: A Simple, Entry-Level Certificate to Bring More Sailors into Racing
11. Nov 2025
The Offshore Racing Congress (ORC), in cooperation with the Italian Sailing Federation (FIV) and the Italian Offshore Owners Association (UVAI), has introduced ORC Light, a simplified, entry-level handicap certificate designed to make it easier for boatowners new to racing to participate in local regattas.
ORC and Yacht Racing Forum: Strengthening the Future of the Sport
06. Nov 2025
With just a few weeks to go until the Yacht Racing Forum 2025, the Offshore Racing Congress (ORC) encourages members of the international sailing and yacht racing community to register and take part in this important gathering. The Forum will be held 20–21 November in Amsterdam, and ORC is pleased to participate once again as an institutional partner.