THERE may be not be any sailors from the Isle of Wight competing in this year's epic RORC Transatlantic Race, but an Islander holds arguably the most important role in it — that of race director.

Steve Cole, the Royal Ocean Racing Club's (RORC) racing manager, is this year's race director, of the 11th Transatlantic Race.

It's a particularly special one, with it being the first and longest race of the RORC's centenary year calendar of events.

The race, between Lanzarote, in the Canary Islands, and Grenada, in the Caribbean, started yesterday (Sunday, January 12), and sees sailors from 19 nations taking part in the 3,000 nautical mile challenge.

(Image: RORC) Steve, of Gurnard, goes into the event full of experience and with plenty of responsibility.

"For this, the 11th edition of the RORC Transatlantic Race, we have a really good international and diverse fleet, which attracts sailors from all over the world," he said.

"As always, this race in particular, is a big old race at 3,000 miles."

Island sailors, Jeremy Waitt and Richard Palmer, made sailing history by winning the 2019 RORC Transatlantic Race Trophy in the JPK 10.10 yacht, Jangada, on corrected time — almost 24 hours ahead of their IRC time target.

Read more: Historic win for Jangada in RORC Transatlantic Race

Steve's role sees him hold responsibility for the delivery and safe management of any RORC race, including the Rolex Fastnet Race and the Admiral’s Cup.

He has been the RORC's racing manager since January 2023.

He said: "I started sailing in Poole when I was about seven years old.

"We moved to the Isle of Wight when I was ten years old, as my dad ran the National Sailing Centre.

(Image: RORC) "I joined Gurnard Sailing Club and sailed dinghies and big boats from then on – 53 years and counting!

"My first offshore race was in 1978 on a J24 to Deauville, France, which was a very windy race, and at that point I probably decided I liked inshore racing better.

"My longest offshore race would have been the 1992 Round Britain and Ireland Race, when I was skipper of Donald Parr’s Quailo."

The first boat home in the Transatlantic Race is expected around January 19 or 20.

Steve will head out to Grenada for a week to meet and greet the boats when they arrive at Port Louis Marina.