Watch the highlights of the 2026 RORC Round Britain and Ireland

The start of the RORC Round Britain and Ireland Race from Cowes on Sunday 9 August © James Tomlinson / RORC

Highlights of the 50th anniversary RORC Round Britain and Ireland Race. Thirty-two boats, 182 sailors from five continents and 1,805 nautical miles around Britain and Ireland.

For more than two weeks the race played out around one of offshore sailing's most complicated courses: Land's End, the wild west of Ireland, St Kilda and Muckle Flugga, followed by the navigational ordeal of the North Sea and English Channel. With Atlantic lows, wind holes, big seas and glassy calms. Boats surfed at more than 25 knots and at other times kedged on anchor. Sails were repaired, a boom shattered, crews were stretched by fatigue, and an owl became one of the unexpected stars of the race.

There were outstanding winners, but the enduring story of 2026 was its sailors.

The film includes onboard footage sent back during the race, drone shots from the start, video interviews with competitors and the overall winner, Pace, plus tells the story of the Winners, survivors and extraordinary stories from the 2026 RORC Round Britain and Ireland Race.

Film and photography credits:
Corinna Haines—@hainesfilms
Drone—James Tomlinson—@jamestomlinsonphotography

Many thanks to the sailors and teams who contributed footage from around the racecourse:

RORC Griffin Pathway-Eimer, Fujitsu British Soldier, Bellino—Joe Griffiths, Palanad 4—Antoine Magre, Pace—Anthony Haines, Pete Cumming, Mzungu!—Sam White,Tigris—Maggie Adamson, Snifix Dry, Astrid—Paddy Moriarty, Jetpack, Mojo—Emma Breese, Sky Business - Game On, Varuna 6—Mike Broughton, Espresso Martini Too—Rich Corbin, Xantho, Pata Negra—Sam Hall, Kestrel—Simon Bamford and Zeb Fellows, Frida, Polished Manx—Maciek, Venomous Racing—Lewis Agate, Challenge Ocean.