Dates
Dates TBA
Duration
2.3 days
Distance
160 nm
Route
Cowes → Le Havre
About
RORC's classic Cowes-to-Le-Havre Channel sprint — first race of the 2026 Cowes Offshore Series.
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About
RORC's classic Cowes-to-Le-Havre Channel sprint — first race of the 2026 Cowes Offshore Series.
First race of the 2026 RORC Cowes Offshore Series.
The Cervantes Trophy is the Royal Ocean Racing Club's classic cross-Channel sprint from Cowes to Le Havre, on the Normandy coast. The course is approximately 110–160 nm depending on the course set by the race committee on the day. The finish is hosted by the Société des Régates du Havre.
For 2026 it's the first race of the new Cowes Offshore Series and counts toward the RORC Season's Points Championship.
Joining Unity for Cervantes means a Friday afternoon brief and dock-out, the race itself across Saturday and into Sunday, and a Sunday delivery back to the Solent. Suited to crew with at least one previous offshore weekend.
Ready to race?
£575
Race programme
Flexible Fri/Sat arrival · race start off Cowes · race overnight to Le Havre · Sun arrival · Sun PM sail home.
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Race programme
Flexible Fri/Sat arrival · race start off Cowes · race overnight to Le Havre · Sun arrival · Sun PM sail home.
Friday — pre-race brief & dock-out
16:00 onwardsCrew arrive Mercury Yacht Harbour. Skipper brief, kit check, safety brief. Dinner aboard or ashore in Cowes.
Saturday morning — late arrivals & condensed brief
by 09:00Saturday-arrival crew in by 09:00. Condensed brief, kit check, lifejacket fit before dock-out.
Saturday — race start
see RORC SIRace start off Cowes. Course south across the Channel toward Le Havre.
Sunday — arrival Le Havre
Berthing at Société des Régates du Havre. Optional ashore time for the prize-giving.
Sunday — return delivery to Solent
Delivery back across the Channel. Arrival Mercury Yacht Harbour late Sunday or early Monday.
Documents
- Download
RORC 2026 Annual Notice of Race
Notice of Race · 6.6 MB
Joining details
Arrive Mercury Yacht Harbour from 16:00 Friday or by 09:00 Saturday — three things to tick off your Unity profile before you turn up.
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Joining details
Arrive Mercury Yacht Harbour from 16:00 Friday or by 09:00 Saturday — three things to tick off your Unity profile before you turn up.
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?
£575
What to bring
Foulies, warm layers, head torch, sleeping bag, passport — we provide the lifejackets, harnesses and safety kit.
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What to bring
Foulies, warm layers, head torch, sleeping bag, passport — we provide the lifejackets, harnesses and safety kit.
Essential
Overnight
Offshore / double-handed
Provided
Not provided
Leave behind
Who can join
- Intermediate — prior race yacht training
- Minimum age: 18
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, return travel, watch system, sea-sickness, fitness — answered honestly.
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FAQs
Passport, return travel, watch system, sea-sickness, fitness — answered honestly.
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?
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Ready to race?
£575