Three members of Baltimore Sailing Club are taking part in the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) Transatlantic Race which is one of the premier long-distance yacht racing events in the world. Mark Bolger and Jane Bolger are aboard Pata Negra, a prototype Lombard 46. Pata Negra achieved overall Winner of the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race in 2018, first in Class in the RORC Caribbean 600 in 2020, & Second in Class in the Rolex Fastnet Race in 2017.

We interviewed Nin O’Leary aboard Tschüss 2 (Video Below) which has achieved significant success in various competitions, including setting a new monohull race record in the 2024 Roschier Baltic Sea Race, completing the course in 2 days, 5 hours, 6 minutes, and 41 seconds. Tschüss 2 also secured line honours in the 2023 Round the Island Race, completing the race in 4 hours, 11 minutes, and 18 seconds. Tschüss 2 is a Volvo 70 racing yacht owned by Christian Zugel.

The race starts in Lanzarote, one of Spain’s Canary Islands, and finishes in Grenada, in the Caribbean. This 3,000-nautical-mile course takes competitors from the cooler climes of Europe through the warm trade winds of the Atlantic, offering a mix of weather patterns and sea conditions that test both skill and endurance.

Mark & Jane Bolger an hour before the race.

The RORC Transatlantic Race is open to a range of yachts, including; Multihulls like trimarans and catamarans, Monohulls of various sizes, from high-performance racing yachts to cruising vessels.

Participants include professional sailors, experienced amateurs, and adventurers from around the globe. The race provides a unique platform for both seasoned competitors and ambitious newcomers to test their limits. Crossing the Atlantic is no small feat. Competitors face unpredictable weather from calms to powerful Atlantic storms.

The race is a cornerstone of modern ocean racing, blending tradition with cutting-edge technology. It serves as a preparatory event for the RORC Caribbean 600 and other major regattas, while maintaining the legacy of transatlantic racing that dates back to the early 20th century.

Established in 2014, The RORC Transatlantic is organized by the prestigious Royal Ocean Racing Club, the event attracts some of the most skilled sailors and cutting-edge vessels in modern ocean racing.

The 11th edition of the RORC Transatlantic Race starts on Sunday 12th January 2025 from Marina Lanzarote, Canary Islands and will finish at Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina in Grenada, Caribbean. You can track the race online HERE