Please select your home edition
Edition
Zhik 2024 December

The Royal Ocean Racing Club Announces 2025 Griffin Offshore Pathway

by RORC 5 Oct 2024 14:32 BST
Griffin24 Selection Weekend © James Tomlinson / RORC

The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) is excited to announce the launch of the 2025 Griffin Offshore Pathway, a programme designed to provide a range of opportunities to young sailors of different abilities, wanting to hone their skills in offshore sailing.

Building upon the success of the Griffin24 programme, the 2025 Griffin Offshore Pathway will offer increased opportunities to sailors across various offshore disciplines, onboard a variety of racing boats. The programme will enable three fully crewed squads to compete in the RORC Season's Points Championship, as well as various JOG races.

In addition to racing in the UK programme we will provide sailors with the opportunity to gain invaluable offshore experience racing one-design. RORC will enter a team in the fully crewed, Tour Voile, part of the Figaro 3 circuit in France and expand our partnership with the Nastro Rosa Series in Italy, giving more opportunities to compete double-handed.

With the success of Maggie Adamson and Cal Finlayson winning this year's Offshore Double Handed World Championship, RORC hopes through a better structured pathway we can support the development of more World Champions, especially in 2025, RORC's centenary year, when the World Championship will be held in Cowes.

Hugh Brayshaw, an experienced and accomplished Figaro sailor who has successfully made the transition to offshore racing having gained his extensive experience from campaigning internationally in the 470 dinghy class, has joined the programme as lead coach. He will work alongside other world-class sailors to ensure all our Griffin intake receive the necessary support to develop throughout 2025. Brayshaw commented, "I am thrilled to be involved in this exciting programme. I look forward to helping these talented sailors take their sailing to another level."

Sailors aged 18-30 as of 1st January 2025, who are interested in participating in the 2025 Griffin Offshore Pathway are encouraged to sign up for a Zoom webinar on 29th October. During the webinar, full details of the programme will be shared, and an application form will be sent out to interested applicants. Successful applicants will be invited to attend a selection long weekend on 10th - 12th January.

Sign Up for Griffin Zoom Webinar

The Griffin Offshore Pathway is an ambitious project with funding split between RORC, sailor contributions, commercial sponsors and donations. RORC is actively seeking to build upon existing sponsors and supporters, to help keep sailor costs as low as possible, whilst expanding the reach and scope of the programme. Companies and individuals interested in supporting the programme are encouraged to get in touch for more information.

Jim Driver, Chair of Griffin, said, " We have learned a lot from the first year of our refreshed Griffin project and we have put those lessons into our planning for 2025 and beyond. This is a long-term initiative and next year's plan takes us in the right direction to creating new opportunities for developing offshore sailing talent; we look forward to sharing further details of our exciting 2025 programme with interested sailors on 29th October.

To get involved as a sailor, or to offer support to the Griffin Project, contact Griffin Chair Jim Driver:

Related Articles

Harken Official Supporter of 2025 Admiral's Cup
This historic international yachting regatta returns in July Harken, in conjunction with Harken ProCare, are proud to announce that we will be an Official Supporter of the highly anticipated 2025 Admiral's Cup. Posted today at 11:00 am
Transatlantic Race 2025 Preview
A North Atlantic adventure like no other The Transatlantic Race 2025 from the East Coast of the United States to the shores of the United Kingdom stands as one of sailing's most time-honored and demanding challenges. Posted on 25 Apr
Cervantes Trophy Race Preview
RORC Offshore Racing Returns to Europe Offshore racing with the Royal Ocean Racing Club returns to Europe on Saturday, 3rd May with the Cervantes Trophy Race. This 110-nautical mile race takes place over the May Bank Holiday weekend. Posted on 24 Apr
North Sails prizes for GBR IRC 2025 Championships
Winners can look forward to crew merchandise and generous awards at each event The GBR IRC Championship programme for 2025 spans May to November, with racing being held in some of the most scenic and thrilling venues across the British Isles, bringing together top boats and crews. Posted on 23 Apr
2025 RORC Easter Challenge overall
Two final races in the Solent for all four IRC Classes on Sunday The RORC Easter Challenge wrapped upon the 20th April with two final races in the Solent for all four IRC Classes. With no discard to the scoring in the six race series, all class winners were decided in the final race. Posted on 21 Apr
2025 RORC Easter Challenge Day 2
Two races for all four IRC Classes on Easter Saturday The Royal Ocean Racing Club training regatta, the RORC Easter Challenge supported by North Sails, continued on Easter Saturday in the Solent with two races for all four IRC Classes. Posted on 20 Apr
2025 RORC Easter Challenge Day 1
PRO Stuart Childerley and the RORC Race Team organised a series of practice starts The Royal Ocean Racing Club training regatta, the RORC Easter Challenge supported by North Sails, kicked off on Easter Friday with sporty conditions in the Solent. Posted on 19 Apr
World-class support confirmed for Admiral's Cup
Southern Spars, Harken Pro Care, and PredictWind all on board The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) is proud to announce the support of Southern Spars, Harken Pro Care, and PredictWind for the highly anticipated 2025 Admiral's Cup. Posted on 17 Apr
2025 RORC Easter Challenge Preview
This year's edition is shaping up to be a thrilling opener to the Cowes season With just a few days to go, anticipation is building for the RORC Easter Challenge, taking place over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. Posted on 14 Apr
RORC launches Cowes Offshore Racing Series
An exciting new 7-race programme for RORC races starting from Cowes The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) is delighted to announce the RORC Cowes Offshore Racing Series - an exciting new 7-race programme for all RORC races starting from Cowes in 2025, excluding the Rolex Fastnet Race. Posted on 13 Apr