Winners Celebrated at the 2024 RORC Annual Dinner & Prize Giving
by Louay Habib 25 Nov 15:40 GMT
2024 RORC Annual Dinner & Prize Giving © RORC
The 2024 Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) Annual Dinner and Prize Giving took place at Church House, located in Dean’s Yard, Westminster. Over 200 guests celebrated a remarkable season of RORC racing during a cocktail reception and a gourmet dinner at the impressive Grade II listed venue adjacent to Westminster Abbey.
Set against a backdrop of elegance and tradition, the Club recognized top performers from the season with an array of prestigious awards. The RORC Season’s Points Championship, whose trophies date back over a century, is integral to yacht racing history. As the largest yacht racing series globally, it features a remarkable diversity of competitors racing under the IRC Rating Rule, with Corinthian sailors competing across various boat sizes, from cutting-edge designs raced by professionals to timeless classics and production racer cruisers.
Members and guests from RORC across Europe and beyond came together for a spectacular evening at the 2024 Annual Prize Giving. This year’s racing venues for the RORC Racing Programme included Malta, Canary Islands, Caribbean, United Kingdom, France, Netherlands, Ireland, and Finland, showcasing its international character.
RORC CEO Jeremy Wilton, serving as Master of Ceremonies, welcomed RORC Commodore Deb Fish to deliver an opening speech congratulating all winners of the 2024 RORC Season.
The Commodore praised RORC Admiral Mike Greville, who will step down after 25 years of dedicated service as RORC Flag Officer, Commodore, and Admiral. Greville is among the few sailors who have participated in over 20 Fastnet Races, always with a Corinthian crew of family and friends. In acknowledgment of his long-standing commitment to the Club, he has been awarded Honorary Life Membership.
Heather Thomas, Skipper of Maiden, was the guest speaker for the evening, providing an engaging account of Maiden’s seven-month race and overall victory under IRC for the 2023-24 Ocean Globe Race. Maiden’s crew, representing five continents, is the first all-women team to win an around-the-world yacht race.
RORC Racing Manager Steve Cole, along with Commodore Deb Fish and Admiral Mike Greville, invited teams to the stage to collect their prizes. The loudest cheer of the evening was for Ross Applebey’s Scarlet Oyster, named the 2024 RORC Yacht of the Year.
RORC Yacht of the Year – Ross Applebey’s Scarlet Oyster
Ross Applebey’s Scarlet Oyster (GBR) achieved a significant milestone by winning the revered Somerset Memorial Trophy. After more than 20 years in the RORC Season’s Points Championship, this marks the first win for the Oyster 48. Additionally, Scarlet Oyster secured the IRC Two title and finished second overall in the Championship, earning the Gordon Applebey Trophy and the Assuage Trophy.
Reflecting on the season, Applebey shared: “Entering the final race to Cherbourg, we were not even favorites to win our IRC Class. The conditions didn’t seem favorable for us, and we knew we had to take a bold approach. By adopting a different strategic method and separating from the main group, we managed to pull off a result that not only clinched IRC Two but also the Assuage and Applebey Trophies. Winning RORC Yacht of the Year wasn’t even on our radar.”
The Scarlet Oyster crew pays to participate in races, with several crew members in their 11th season on the boat. Collectively, they’ve raced thousands of miles over many seasons. Ross has been sailing the boat, formerly owned by his father, since childhood, accumulating around 200,000 miles.
Applebey added: “What makes this victory truly special is that we are a Corinthian team. Our strong bond as a close-knit group of friends and our resilience—never giving up regardless of the circumstances—are, I believe, our greatest strengths. We’ve been shortlisted before and have put in a long effort. Finally winning RORC Yacht of the Year reflects our team’s dedication and persistence. I couldn’t be prouder of the Scarlet crew. This win is for all of us.”
Bellino – Winner of the 2024 RORC Season’s Points Championship
Rob Craigie’s Sun Fast 3600 Bellino, racing Two-Handed with RORC Commodore Deb Fish, won the 2024 RORC Season’s Championship Overall for the second consecutive year, retaining the Jazz Trophy.
“We are thrilled to win the Jazz Trophy again and celebrate our most successful season to date,” Rob Craigie stated. “This year has marked significant milestones for us, including titles such as IRC National Double-Handed Champions, outright winner of the Myth of Malham, and second overall in a very competitive Dhream Cup fleet. Adding to this, we secured various class wins, including the challenging Double-Handed class in the Round Ireland race—it’s been an incredible journey.”
“Preparation has been crucial,” RORC Commodore Deb Fish continued. “Optimizing our IRC rating by going asymmetric this year made all the difference, especially given the weather conditions we encountered. Rob’s leadership in boat maintenance and quick fixes kept us competitive, although challenges like engine failure led us to miss the Cowes-Dinard race. Wisely managing our budget, along with coaching from Mike Richards, has proven beneficial, and we’ve drawn great advantages from the camaraderie and shared insights within the fleet, especially from teams like Mzungu and Red Ruby. This season will be one to remember!”
Diablo – Consistently Strong Performance and Third Overall
Nick Martin’s Sun Fast 3600 Diablo, racing Two-Handed with Cal Ferguson, finished third overall in the RORC Season’s Points Championship. Diablo was awarded the Alan Paul Trophy for consistent high performance.
“It was a good season with some noteworthy victories,” Nick Martin reflected on Diablo’s year. “We started late after putting up a new mast following our dismasting in the 2023 Rolex Fastnet Race. The highlight for me was the IRC Double-Handed Europeans, where we faced top competition from France and the UK and claimed a third-place finish on the podium. I was immensely proud of that. Another memorable moment was watching Cal (Ferguson) win the Double-Handed World Championship alongside Maggie (Adamson). Sailing with someone like Cal, who is destined for greater things, has been both a privilege and a definite highlight for me.”
Following the awards, guests enjoyed a complimentary bar and an energetic DJ set, with attendees dancing well into the early hours. Much of the evening’s conversations revolved around next year’s historic season. The Royal Ocean Racing Club will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2025, marking the occasion with a series of special events both on and off the water.
The 2025 racing season features an exciting agenda, including the conclusion of the West-East Transatlantic Race, the esteemed Rolex Fastnet Race, and the highly awaited return of the Admiral’s Cup.
Complete List of Prize Winners & Special Awards – HERE
Complete Results for the 2024 RORC Season’s Points Championship HERE
Top 3 by Class – HERE
For more information about the Royal Ocean Racing Club: www.rorc.org
