Mediterrean

Rolex Middle Sea Race

The fleet sails 977km (607 miles) anti-clockwise around the Italian islands of Sicily, Stromboli, Pantelleria and Lampedusa, before finishing back in historic Malta. With changeable and challenging conditions that demand the very best of skippers and crews.

• Oct 18th - 25th
• Malta

Giraglia Rolex Cup

A desolate island off the coast of Corsica, La Giraglia lends its name to one of the definitive regattas in the Mediterranean. Contestants must tackle 391km (243 miles) from St. Tropez, around the lighthouse-crowned rock of Giraglia, and back to the mainland at Genoa. Started in 1953, it’s a classic test of sailing skills: preparation, tactics, pinpoint navigation and, of course, superlative timing.

• June 8th - 14th
• St Tropez, France to Genoa, Italy

Sardinia Rolex Cup

Since its inception in 1978, the Sardinia Rolex Cup has always been a team event. Where sailing nations send their finest racing yachts to battle, not for individual honours, but for national prestige. And now the competition is fiercer than ever, because the Offshore Team World Championship Trophy is also at stake.

• June 16 - 21st
• Porto Cervo, Sardinia

Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup

Costa Smeralda provides a stunning setting¬ and perfect sailing conditions for the Maxi Yacht Rolex cup, one of the highlights of the Mediterranean yachting season. Every year since 1980, a sizeable fleet of majestic (20-60 metre, or 66¬200 foot) yachts gather in Porto Cervo for a week of spectacular racing among the Maddalena Islands. The high-profile owners also enjoy the social extravaganzas that accompany this unique event.

• Aug 31st - Sep 6th
• Porto Cervo, Sardinia

Rolex Swan Cup

Every other year, Swan yachts from around the world gather to compete in this spirited week-long regatta. With courses ranging from island races to windward/leeward, skippers and crew can test their skills in different conditions. And the sea and wind patterns around Sardinia ¬ plus the gala social events provided by the organising club ¬ always draw top sailors.

• Sep 8th - 14th
• Porto Cervo, Sardinia

Voiles de St Tropez

A very famous week of regatta for both moderns and classic yachts. Races and parties for up to 300 sailing boats.

• Oct 1st - 15th
• St Tropez, France

Arc Race

With a cruising and racing class, there is a spot for everyone on the Arc Race.

• Nov 25th
• Gran Canaria to St. Lucia

United Kingdom

Cowes Week

Since 1826 Cowes Week has played a key part in the British sporting summer calendar and is one of the UK’s longest running and most successful sporting events. It now stages up to 40 daily races for over 1,000 boats and is the largest sailing regatta of its kind in the world.

• Aug 2nd - 9th
• Cowes, Isle of Wight

Fastnet

The Fastnet 2009, and battle against 300 teams from around the world in a voyage which stretches from Cowes to the south Coast of Ireland and Plymouth.

• 9th August
• Cowes, Isle of Wight

United States

Newport to Bermuda Race

The Newport Bermuda Race is a 635-mile ocean race, most of it out of sight of land, usually lasting three to six days. Every two years in mid-June, over 180 boats start from historic Newport, Rhode Island.

• Mid June
• Newport, Rhode Island, USA

Australia

Rolex Sydney Hobart

List the leading ocean races in the world and the Rolex Sydney Hobart is certainly in the top three. Since 1945, this 1,163km (628 mile) offshore race has provided a tough test for skippers, tacticians and crews alike. After the glamour of starting in Sydney Harbour, the yachts race down Australia’s East Coast and across the Bass Strait to the island of Tasmania. Playing the weather can make a big difference in this quick ocean dash. And though not everyone can be victorious, just sailing the challenging course is an accomplishment.

• Dec 26th - Jan 1st
• Sydney, Australia

Caribbean

BVI Spring Regatta

Racing enthusiasts who have experienced the BVI Spring Regatta ans Sailing Festival return year after year for fun, the great weather, and innovative race management.

• March 31st - April 6th
• Tortola

Heineken Regatta

As in the past, there will be nightly concerts on all four nights and competitive sailing will take place during the days. Participants from all over the world are entering the regatta and an expected 2500 sailors will grace the sunny shores of St. Maarten to sail, party, eat, and enjoy the island’s many activities. The sailing will be competitive abd in the end all who come to St. Maarten to take part in the event, will have memories that will last them a lifetime.

• March 6 - 9th
• St. Maarten

Antigua sailing Week

Participants from all corners of the globe are welcomed each year to compete for the chance to win this prestigious race. Five challanging days in some of the best sailing conditions in the world combined with the famous Antiguan hospitality make this regatta not miss.

• April 27th - May 3rd
• Antigua, W.I.