One of offshore sailing’s great challenges

Held every four years, the 1805 nm Round Britain and Ireland Race delivered a complex course for 32 teams. The 2026 edition was also the 50th anniversary, with this 21-minute video showcasing one of offshore sailing’s great challenges.

Featuring spectacular onboard footage, drone images from the start in Cowes, interviews with competitors before and after the race, and the story of overall winner Pace, this film captures the winners, the survivors, and some of the extraordinary moments during the race.

For more than two weeks, the fleet raced around one of offshore sailing’s most demanding courses: Land’s End, the wild west coast of Ireland, St Kilda and Muckle Flugga, before turning south into the navigational challenge of the North Sea and English Channel.

The competitors faced Atlantic lows, wind holes, big seas, and glassy calms. Boats surfed at more than 25 knots and, at other times, crews were forced to kedge at anchor against the tide. Sails were repaired, a boom shattered, and sailors were pushed mentally and physically by fatigue.

There were also unforgettable encounters with wildlife—including an owl that became one of the unexpected stars of the race.

From Monohull Line Honors and the overall IRC victory for Johnny Vincent’s Volvo 70 Pace, to battles throughout the IRC classes and extraordinary stories from across the fleet, this is a taste of what it takes to race non-stop around Britain and Ireland.