Participate in the RORC Transatlantic sailing Race

No prior sailing experience is required, the programme is presented as open regardless of level. The first days in Lanzarote are dedicated to training and getting familiar with the boat before the race start. Some personal preparation beforehand is still recommended given the length of the crossing and the physical demands of extended night sailing.

The technical difficulty is rated easy; the physical difficulty is not specified in the programme's fact sheet, which is worth clarifying before booking. Sailing takes place on a fast, demanding race boat, with night watches and spartan onboard living conditions over nearly 15 days at sea. General endurance and tolerance for limited sleep help make the most of the experience.

No sailing certification is mentioned as mandatory for this programme. The travel folder provided at booking sets out any formalities specific to this crossing. If in doubt about fitness to participate, it is best to check with the organising team before booking, since the final decision on fitness to embark rests with the onboard crew.

The full programme lasts 20 days, including the initial briefing and training in Lanzarote. The crossing itself, covering more than 3,000 nautical miles, takes between 14.5 and 15.5 days depending on conditions encountered during the race. These durations remain estimates, since weather and race tactics can make them vary.

The first three days in Lanzarote cover crew arrival, a mandatory briefing and getting familiar with the boat. The RORC Transatlantic Race starts on day four, alongside nearly 60 other sailboats on the starting line. This phase allows the crew to get used to the Volvo 60 before facing the crossing.

An optional 8-day preparation course is offered departing from Lorient, from 26 December to 3 January, before heading to Lanzarote. It allows the crew to get familiar with the boat and each other in less demanding conditions than the crossing itself. This course is an add-on to the base programme and is not included in its 20-day duration.

A navigator and an experienced tactician with a background on the Figaro circuit are part of the onboard professional team. Routing choices are adjusted according to the weather conditions encountered during the nearly 15 days of crossing. The competitive spirit of a race like the RORC shapes these decisions as much as crew safety does.

This programme means taking part in an actual race, the RORC Transatlantic Race, alongside nearly 60 other sailboats, rather than a leisure crossing. The boat is a Volvo 60, a fast and extreme race yacht, very different from a standard cruising sailboat in terms of sensations and physical demands. Being led by an experienced skipper and tactician reinforces this competitive dimension.

The Volvo 60 is 19.50 metres long, belongs to the IRC Zero class and has 14 bunks for a crew of 10 participants supervised by 4 professionals. It features a hydraulic system with ballast tanks, a carbon mast and sloop rigging with a double helm station. It is a boat built for performance, not for the comfort of a standard cruise.

Life on board relies on 14 bunks, a gas stove and shared toilets, in conditions described as spartan. Meals are likely freeze-dried dishes prepared in turn by the crew, with any meals taken during stopovers not included so as to keep flexibility. This way of living is fully part of the experience of a race-mode crossing.

The crew of 10 participants is supervised by 4 professionals: a skipper holding the Capitaine 200 Voile qualification, an experienced tactician with a background on the Figaro circuit, a navigator and watch leaders. This close-knit supervision allows for individualised guidance throughout the crossing.

Watches run under the supervision of the four onboard professionals, with watch leaders dedicated to organising rotations. In the event of adverse weather or doubts about a participant's physical fitness, the final decision on anything affecting crew safety and well-being rests with the onboard team. The programme can be cancelled or modified at their discretion if conditions require it.

A technical jacket and trousers, along with suitable deck shoes or boots, are part of the basic personal gear. A complete kit list is provided at booking, as personal equipment is not supplied by the programme. Being well equipped affects comfort during night watches and long days at sea.

The price is listed from €7,850, international flights not included. It covers the services mentioned in the programme (accommodation, supervision, travel folder), excluding drinks, personal extras, a single supplement and the expedition's mandatory complementary insurance. Transfers and meals taken during any stopovers are not included either.

The programme is presented as open regardless of sailing level, with initial training in Lanzarote before the race start. The experience remains demanding due to its length, spartan onboard living conditions and the competitive format of the RORC Transatlantic Race on a race boat. Good physical condition and genuine motivation for the commitment of a race-mode crossing matter more than prior sailing experience.