The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) is a yachting club based in the United Kingdom that was founded in 1925. The club was formed with the goal of promoting offshore racing and encouraging the development of yacht design.
The first race organized by the RORC was the Fastnet Race, which was held in 1925 and became an annual event. The race, which starts in Cowes on the Isle of Wight and finishes in Plymouth, is one of the most prestigious offshore races in the world.
In the 1930s and 1940s, the RORC continued to grow and organize more races, including the Bermuda Race and the Round Britain and Ireland Race. The club also became a member of the International Council of Yacht Clubs, an organization that promotes the development of yacht racing internationally.
In the 1950s and 1960s, the RORC continued to be a leader in offshore racing, and it organized a number of high-profile races, including the Sydney-Hobart Race, the Fastnet Race, and the Round Britain and Ireland Race. The club also played a key role in the development of the International Offshore Rule, which standardized the measurement and rating of yachts for offshore racing.
In the 1970s and 1980s, the RORC continued to be at the forefront of offshore racing and played a key role in the growth of the sport. The club organized a number of major races, including the Fastnet Race, the Sydney-Hobart Race, and the Round Britain and Ireland Race.
Today, the RORC is one of the most respected and influential yacht racing clubs in the world. It continues to organize a number of high-profile offshore races and is a member of the International Council of Yacht Clubs. The club is also involved in promoting the development of yacht design and the sport of offshore racing.