Please select your home edition
Edition
Cyclops Marine 2023 November - LEADERBOARD

43rd Royal Escape Race to be held in May

by Chris Hawkes 9 Mar 2023 10:22 GMT 26 May 2023
Royal Escape Race © Warwick Baker / www.warwickpics.com

Sussex Yacht Club and Société des Régates de Fécamp are pleased to announce the opening of entries to the 43rd running of the Royal Escape Race.

There is an exciting program of events planned for the race weekend so please keep checking the event website for details of the program and upcoming events.

"On the water" prize-giving to be hosted at SRF is included in your entry fee. The official prize-giving will take place at Sussex Yacht Club on 24th June 2023. Tickets for this event will be supplementary and will be available from the website once they become available.

Race entry Race entry is now open here.

"Early bird" entry is £105 for all yachts. This price includes your race entry, Yellow Bricks race tracker provided by the Ramus Family and moorings in Fécamp for the event. After the early bird period entries are £125.

For the first time in the race's history 2023 race will feature live tracking of competitors in the 43rd Royal Escape race.

Race tracking will be delivered by industry experts Yellow Bricks and kindly provided by the Ramus Family - who have a long and illustrious history in the Royal Escape Race.

The Race Committee would like to the thank the Ramus Family for this kind donation and hope this extra visibility of the race will enhance the race experience for all competitors and their onshore support teams.

Thanks to all supporters including Musto and Spinlock as the preparation for the event continues.

History of the Race

Launched in 1977 to mark the Queen's silver jubilee, the historic Royal Escape Race is now amongst the oldest offshore sailing races in the country Celebrating the escape of King Charles II from Cromwell after the Battle of Worcester, the race follows the route that Charles took aboard the coal barge Surprise from Shoreham-by-Sea to reach safety in the Normandy port of Fécamp.

The apparently simple course nevertheless provides plenty of challenges for both enthusiastic offshore racers and the less experienced wanting to try their hand at some cross channel racing.

Once ashore in France, a warm welcome can be anticipated at the Société des Régates de Fécamp located right on the quayside.

For the less experienced, the Corinthian nature and collegial atmosphere of the Royal Escape Race represent a perfect opportunity to make the channel crossing in good company, with plenty of "old hands" around to share advice and offer support.

Related Articles

Final Preparations underway for Royal Escape Race
The 46th edition will once again see a competitive fleet take on the cross-Channel passage to Fécamp With just under one month to go, final preparations are under way for the 2026 Royal Escape Race, with entries building and the organisers confirming key updates to this year's event. Posted on 28 Apr
Last chance for early bird entries
For historic 2026 Royal Escape Race Sailors are being urged to secure their place in the 2026 Royal Escape Race, with early bird entry pricing closing on 28 February 2026 for one of the South Coast's most distinctive offshore challenges. Posted on 20 Feb
Early bird entries open for Royal Escape Race 2026
One of the longest-running and most distinctive offshore races in the UK Entries are now officially open for the Royal Escape Race, the historic cross-channel yacht race that departs from Brighton's Palace Pier and finishes in the Normandy port of Fécamp, with early bird pricing available until 28 February. Posted on 8 Jan
Launch of Entries to the Royal Escape Race 2026
Are you ready? The 2026 Royal Escape Race has officially launched, and it's time to set your sights on this exciting offshore race in the 2026 season. This iconic cross-Channel test is all about skill, strategy, and stamina. Posted on 20 Dec 2025
Hugely successful Royal Escape Race 2025
Bringing endurance, strategy, determination, and community The 2025 Royal Escape Race has come to an end, and what a Bank Holiday weekend it was. From the bustling shores of Shoreham to the welcoming finish in Fécamp, this year's race brought together everything we love about offshore sailing. Posted on 30 May 2025
Two Weeks until the Royal Escape 2025
Sussex Yacht Club makes a final call for entries Sussex Yacht Club makes a final call for entries to the 2025 Royal Escape Race, from the Brighton coast to Fécamp, France on Friday 23rd May 2025. Race start time 08:00 BST. Posted on 9 May 2025
Royal Escape 2025 entries open
45th edition of this historic race to start on 23rd May Join us on 23rd May for the 45th edition of this historic race. This is your chance to follow the route taken by King Charles II from Brighton to Fécamp in 1651, in company with fellow sailors from Sussex and beyond. Posted on 6 Dec 2024
44th Royal Escape Race Preview
Historic cross-channel race sets sail from Brighton on Friday The Sussex Yacht Club is preparing to kick off an historic cross-channel race, with the race setting sail from Brighton on Friday. Posted on 22 May 2024
44th Royal Escape Race set for 24th May
Annual cross channel race makes the most of the May Bank Holiday weekend Sussex Yacht Club and Société des Régates de Fécamp are pleased to announce the opening of entries to the 44th running of the Royal Escape Race. Posted on 3 Feb 2024
Sailor remembered at Royal Escape Prize Giving
Remembered at a ceremony held by the Sussex Yacht Club A sailor who died during the Royal Escape Race has been remembered at a ceremony held by the Sussex Yacht Club (SYC) in Shoreham. Posted on 23 Jul 2023