Three days into the 2026 RORC Transatlantic Race the fleet has already'shown their hand' -- they have committed en masse the classic southern escape. They are slipping along the African coast from the Canaries, before swinging to the west to make the long trade wind run to Antigua.

After Sunday's race start in Lanzarote, the fleet has been pushed along the?North African coast by the strategic exodus of lighter northern air. Bows are now pointed offshore and the race is in its first major phase.

Argo and Zoulou are leading the way, both boats regularly reaching speeds of over 30 knots in a strengthening breeze.

The life on board is great! "We have 1700nm left, and life is good on board!" Sam Goodchild, Argo's Sam Goodchild. It's bumpy, which makes driving fun! Charles Ogletree, a teammate of the driver, said: "Argo roars along. It's a bit wet with big waves. But we are having fun and are almost half way to Antigua!"

Raven, the fastest monohull, is claiming dominance in this category with a 550 nautical mile day. She does so by sailing at a higher angle to maximize her advantage of foiling. Will?Oxley, the navigator, explained their tactic: "We are sailing at a higher angle than other boats, perhaps 130 instead of 145.?So we're definitely logging more miles. That's?Raven mode... If we sail lower we go slow."

Antoine Magre’s Palanad 4 leads the overall?IRC corrected times through tactical discipline and measured sailing. Magre stated that conditions have been great so far, with clear nights and big stars. There has also been more wind than expected.

Antigua's first boat is expected to arrive in the early morning hours of Saturday. Toby Davis edited this article.

(source: Reuters)