Dates
4 Sept 2026
Duration
1.3 days
Distance
75 nm
Route
Cowes → Cherbourg
About
Joint RORC + JOG Channel race, Cowes to Cherbourg — part of the 2026 Cowes Offshore Series.
Read moreShow less
About
Joint RORC + JOG Channel race, Cowes to Cherbourg — part of the 2026 Cowes Offshore Series.
Joint RORC + JOG Channel race, part of the 2026 Cowes Offshore Series.
The Cherbourg Race is a Channel race from Cowes to Cherbourg on the Cotentin Peninsula, organised jointly by the Royal Ocean Racing Club and the Junior Offshore Group. Per the JOG 2026 NoR (race O8 — "Nautical Cloud Cowes-Cherbourg with RORC"), the course is approximately 75 nm with a Friday 18:30 first start.
A two-night affair: Friday brief and overnight start, Saturday in Cherbourg, Sunday delivery back to the Solent. Suited to crew with at least one previous offshore weekend.
Ready to race?
£500 · Fri 4 Sept
Race programme
Friday 14:00 brief · 18:30 race start · overnight crossing · Saturday in Cherbourg · Sunday return.
Read moreShow less
Race programme
Friday 14:00 brief · 18:30 race start · overnight crossing · Saturday in Cherbourg · Sunday return.
Friday afternoon — pre-race brief
14:00 onwardsCrew arrive Mercury Yacht Harbour. Skipper brief, kit check, safety brief. Light dinner before dock-out.
Friday evening — race start
18:30 first start (per JOG NoR)Race start off Cowes. Overnight Channel crossing toward Cherbourg.
Saturday — arrival Cherbourg
Berthing in Cherbourg. Recovery, sleep, dinner ashore.
Sunday — return delivery to Solent
Delivery back across the Channel. Arrival Mercury Yacht Harbour Sunday evening or early Monday.
Joining details
Friday afternoon arrival from 14:00 — Friday evening race start means no late arrivals.
Read moreShow less
Joining details
Friday afternoon arrival from 14:00 — Friday evening race start means no late arrivals.
Meeting point
Mercury Yacht Harbour, Satchell Lane, Hamble-le-Rice, SO31 4HQ. We meet on the pontoon by your assigned berth — your skipper will share the berth number and a location pin in the crew WhatsApp group the week before.
Meeting point
Arrival
Parking
Crew WhatsApp
Before you arrive
Ready to race?
£500 · Fri 4 Sept
What to bring
Full offshore kit, sleeping bag, passport — we provide lifejackets and full Cat-2 safety equipment.
Read moreShow less
What to bring
Full offshore kit, sleeping bag, passport — we provide lifejackets and full Cat-2 safety equipment.
Essential
Overnight
Offshore / double-handed
Provided
Not provided
Leave behind
Who can join
- Intermediate — prior race yacht training
Boats on this event
Log in to see who's on board
OW
1 crew aboard
Organised by
Royal Ocean Racing Club
The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) is recognised as the premier organiser of racing for offshore yachts around the world and is a leading authority on safety at sea. Established in 1925, the Club's Fastnet Race has become the world's largest offshore race by number of entries. Supported by Rolex since 2001, the Rolex Fastnet Race attracts over 400 boats from around the world. The RORC organises races in British and European locations, as well as Antigua, Grenada, Lanzarote, and Helsinki. The Club has approximately 4000 members across the globe
Visit Royal Ocean Racing ClubFAQs
Passport, why a Friday evening start, return travel, watch system, kit.
Read moreShow less
FAQs
Passport, why a Friday evening start, return travel, watch system, kit.
What's on the boat vs what I bring?
What if the weather is bad?
I'm sea-sick prone — can I still come?
I don't have a partner — can I still book?
Can I arrive the night before?
How do I cancel or change my booking?
Also sailing on OW
More with Unity Coach
Ready to race?
£500 · Fri 4 Sept