2026 RORC Easter Challenge - Preview
by Louay Habib / RORC 5 Feb 07:40 GMT
3-5 April 2026
IRC Two start - RORC Easter Challenge © Paul Wyeth / RORC
If there's a better way to launch your racing season than the RORC Easter Challenge, it's hard to find. Hosted from the RORC Cowes Clubhouse over the Easter Bank Holiday, the three-day Solent regatta delivers high-quality racing alongside expert coaching, providing outstanding value for teams building towards the season ahead. Entry fees start from under £500 for a 40ft boat.
First staged in 1991, the Easter Challenge was RORC's first all-inshore event and from the outset it broke new ground by allowing outside assistance and today that philosophy translates into complimentary, on-the-water coaching during racing, followed by in-depth video debriefs back at the RORC Cowes Clubhouse. Competitive racing, expert insight, and a famously friendly atmosphere are all part of the package, along with the long-standing tradition of Easter eggs as prizes.
The coaching programme for 2026 is led by Richard Moxey, formerly the RYA's National Keelboat Development Manager, supported by North Sails experts delivering targeted, practical advice across trim, setup and sail selection.
Joining the coaching team is Olympian Vita Heathcote. Vita won gold at the 2019 420 World Championships and silver at the 2024 470 World Championships. Vita was the youngest member of the 2024 British Olympic Sailing team.
Cowes-based Andy Middleton, whose decades of offshore and inshore racing experience around the world, especially with corinthian teams, add a valuable real-world edge.
Courses are designed to maximise learning, with a strong focus on starts, boat handling and performance across a range of sailing angles, creating meaningful opportunities to refine racing modes, deck work and rig setup.
Throughout the regatta, competitors will be part of an active WhatsApp group, providing real-time updates from the Race Committee and, crucially, a two-way channel where crews can ask for coaching advice while racing, a rare and highly valued feature.
As with all RORC events, the Easter Challenge welcomes a wide variety of sailors and boats. Expected entries range from teams preparing for major offshore campaigns such as the Round Britain & Ireland Race, to one-design fleets including J/109s, sailing school teams and Armed Forces entries. Whether you're building race sharpness or fine-tuning performance, the event is structured so everyone benefits.
Racing takes place from Good Friday to Easter Sunday (03-05 April), with all competitors receiving a warm welcome ashore at the RORC Cowes Clubhouse. Accommodation and dining are available, but early booking is strongly recommended. Book here
"The Easter Challenge is all about making teams better sailors," said RORC Racing Manager Chris Jackson. "Our coaches work with crews of all experience levels, and by grouping boats with similar training aims alongside the IRC classes, we can deliver highly focused, practical coaching. This interactive format has been a cornerstone of the event for more than two decades."
Entries close on Monday 30 March 2026
Online Entry here
For more information about the Royal Ocean Racing Club: www.rorc.org