Prepare to be amazed! The Baltic 111 Raven has redefined what's possible in the world of offshore monohull racing, leaving competitors in its wake. This isn't just about winning; it's about shattering records and ushering in a new era of speed and innovation. In the 2026 RORC Transatlantic Race, Raven not only clinched Monohull Line Honours and the IMA Transatlantic Trophy but also set a blistering new monohull race record from Lanzarote to Antigua.
The crew, a veritable who's who of sailing talent, included: Brad Jackson, Carlos Hernandez Robayna, Charlie Wyatt, Claes Nyloef, Corrado Rossignoli, Damien Durchon, Daryl Wislang, Dean de Groot, Simbad Quiroga, Julien Cressant, Justin Slattery, Pablo Arrarte, Robbie Naismith, Roger Samuelsson, Rudi van Velzen, Tony Mutter, and Will Oxley.
Under the expert guidance of skipper Damien Durchon, Raven sliced through the waves, crossing the finish line at a breathtaking 30 knots off English Harbour, Antigua. The Atlantic crossing, a staggering 3,000 nautical miles, was completed in just under seven days. This remarkable feat highlights Raven's cutting-edge design, engineered for sustained high speeds. Raven is foil-assisted and light for its length.
The Hon. Charles 'Max' Fernandez, Minister of Tourism & Economic Development, welcomed Raven to Falmouth Harbour, presenting the IMA Transatlantic Trophy. He also emphasized Antigua's growing prominence as a premier destination for elite offshore racing, attracting international crews.
A New Benchmark for Monohulls
Navigator Will Oxley, who also navigated Comanche to a previous monohull race record, offered a fascinating comparison. He highlighted how Raven excels in certain sailing angles, particularly in a classic downwind Atlantic crossing. While Comanche remains a benchmark for VMG (Velocity Made Good) downwind sailing, Raven demonstrates clear performance advantages at specific angles. Oxley emphasized that Raven has set a very serious benchmark.
The team's success was marked by a smooth, drama-free performance. Oxley shared his pre-race criteria: boat condition, crew condition, and the ability to challenge Atlantic crossing benchmarks. Raven met all three, finishing with both boat and crew in excellent shape and setting a record-breaking time.
But here's where it gets controversial... Unlike fully flying foilers, Raven uses side foils to generate immense righting moment while remaining largely in the water. This design choice combines high performance with enhanced control. Skipper Damien Durchon emphasizes the boat's stability, stating that the safer it performs, the safer it becomes. Raven utilizes foils, water ballast, and strong hull form stability, and if a foil stalls, the boat behaves like a conventional yacht. Durchon believes Raven is safer than most offshore boats.
At 25 knots, the boat already feels fast, and at 30 knots and above, the crew is moving faster than the waves.
Sailing Master Brad Jackson highlighted sustained performance as the key to success. He emphasized that the boat's design allowed it to perform as intended. He also highlighted the importance of crew cohesion on such an advanced platform. The crew's professionalism and shared experience were integral to the result.
Oxley agreed, praising Brad Jackson's leadership in building a cohesive team. He noted the importance of humor and positive dynamics in offshore racing.
Engineering the Future
Project Manager Claes Nyloef believes Raven represents the future of offshore monohulls. He emphasizes the combination of foiling performance without fully flying, which is critical for ocean racing. The boat's acceleration is its defining trait, providing a thrilling experience previously only felt on multihulls.
The race concluded with a nail-biting finish. Oxley described the challenging conditions of the final approach into Antigua. They successfully navigated shifting breezes and pressure, crossing the finish line at over 30 knots.
A Statement Victory
Raven's performance secured not only the Monohull Line Honours and the IMA Trophy but also positioned her as a strong contender for the overall IRC corrected-time result. The boat has set the benchmark IRC corrected time to beat. The next boat likely to finish is the Mach 50 Palanad 4.
Damien Durchon summarized the achievement as a special moment, especially for the owner. Raven's victory is a statement of intent from a new generation of offshore monohulls.
What do you think? Do you agree with the design choices that prioritize stability and control? Do you think Raven truly represents the future of offshore racing? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
