News Archive

The Northern European Offshore Coordination group held its annual coordination meeting on February 7, 2026, in Vilnius, Lithuania. This long-standing alliance includes representatives from countries within the Nordic Sailing Federation (NOSF), which represents Group G in World Sailing, as well as partners from Germany and the Netherlands. Together, they form a vital platform for advancing offshore sailing across Northern Europe.

This past weekend, the Yacht Club of Greece hosted a comprehensive ORC Seminar dedicated to sailors, race organizers, rating officers, and measurers. The two-day event combined presentations, discussions, and practical workshops, attracting more than 25 participants from across Greece.

The 2026 ORC VPP update introduces a targeted technical adjustment aimed at safeguarding the accuracy and consistency of performance predictions as yacht designs continue to evolve.

Special hospitality offers have been announced for teams registered for the ORC European Championship 2026, with the host city of Klaipėda extending a warm welcome to visiting sailors through discounted accommodation and dining options. In addition, organizers have confirmed a special welcome gift for the first 20 teams registering from abroad: a traditional Lithuanian dinner for the entire crew.

The Offshore Racing Congress (ORC) has unanimously approved a refined update to the 2026 Velocity Prediction Program (VPP) following an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held on January 29. The decision represents an important step in safeguarding fairness, stability, and scientific integrity within the ORC rating system.

With just one month to go, the countdown is on for the ORC Double-Handed European Championship 2026, held in conjunction with the 40th anniversary edition of the 200 Millas A2. Organised by Altea Sailing Club (Club Náutico Altea – CN Altea) in collaboration with the Offshore Racing Congress (ORC), the event will take place from March 1-7, and has already made headlines by breaking its all-time registration record–more than 70 boats entered two months ahead of the start.

One of the most anticipated sailing events of the year, the 2026 Rolex South Atlantic Circuit for ORC and ORC Sportboat classes, concluded with the traditional Vuelta a la Isla Gorriti (Round Gorriti Island Race). The event took place in Punta del Este, Uruguay, co-organized by the Yacht Club Argentino and the Yacht Club Punta del Este, with Rolex as title sponsor.

Saturday, 31 January, 14:00 CET (UTC+1) – The road to the ORC Double-Handed World Championship 2026 continues with a can’t-miss learning opportunity for offshore and double-handed sailors: the Scheveningen Sail Summit: Masterclasses, streamed live from the Netherlands.

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.

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.

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.

This article is the first in a short series where we will explain the thinking behind the different scoring options available in ORC. Written by Thomas Nilsson.

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.

The ORC Management Committee, Congress, Committee Members, and the Staff wish you all the Best Wishes for a Happy, Safe and Prosperous Holiday Season and New Year!

Organizers at the Hellenic Offshore Racing Club (HORC) are pleased to announce that the entry process is now open for the sixth edition of the annual AEGEAN 600, held from 5 - 11 July 2026 at Olympic Marine in Lavrion, Greece.

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.

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.

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.