2024 Double Handed World Offshore Championship Sets Sail This Week

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Two American Teams to Compete 

Starting this week, September 24, two teams from the U.S. will take to the waters of the coast of Brittany, France for the RORC 2024 Double Handed World Offshore Championship. Co-Hosted by Lorient Grand Large, RORC (Royal Ocean Racing Club) and Yacht Club de France, the championship will take place on a fleet of Sun Fast 30 One Design boats and consist of an elimination series and final race.

The two American teams are Erica Lush and Tim Kent, and Barbara (Basia) Karpinska and Kevin Morgan. Both teams have extensive doublehanded offshore experience. Read their full team biographies here: https://www.ussailing.org/news/two-american-teams-invited-to-inaugural-offshore-double-handed-world-championship-in-lorient-france/. Morgan will take the place of Vladimir (Kuli) Kulinichenko, who was formerly entered with Basia Karpinska. 

“Double Handed Offshore Sailing is a discipline that is growing tremendously. This type of sailing offers so many great qualities including performance, endurance, complex navigation and shorthanded sailing; it requires the sharing all tasks between a team of two mixed sailors who must both have a tremendous amount of offshore skill,” said US Sailing’s SVP of Programs and Services Andrew Clouston. “US Sailing is excited to have two teams represent the United Sates in this event; we wish them both the best of luck!”

22 teams from 16 countries – Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, India, Ireland, Japan, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and the USA – will battle it out for the title on a course area north of Lorient, along the rugged Atlantic Coast of France.

Lorient, France has been a center of excellence for competitive sailing for decades. It is home to elite level teams in the Ultim and IMOCA Classes, as well as the Mini 6.50, Figaro and Class40. The venue has hosted major events in recent years, including The Ocean Race, Solitaire du Figaro, and the Retour à La Base.

The westerly winds and strong ocean currents that prevail this time of year are expected to produce complex and thrilling conditions for the Offshore Double Handed World Championship. 

All teams in the championship will take part in an Elimination Series consisting of two groups. Each team will take part in one overnight race. The first five boats of each group will qualify for the Final Race. The winner of the Final will be the 2024 Offshore Double Handed World Champion. 

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