East Anglian Offshore Racing Association Debuts New Format for 2026: An Intriguing Coastal Regatta

Prepare for a remarkable change of course in the sailing calendar as the East Anglian Offshore Racing Association (EAORA) gets ready to take the plunge in 2026, charting a new path with an innovative coastal regatta. Fueled by the desire to inspire sailors to explore beyond their usual local waters, EAORA has revamped the racing programme in 2026, kicking things off with a freshly minted coastal regatta during the first May Bank Holiday.

A meticulously planned itinerary includes races from Harwich to Medway on May 2, onward from Medway to Burnham on May 3, and finally setting sail from Burnham to West Mersea on May 4. This not only offers seasoned sailors a fabulous opportunity to test and calibrate their yachts, but it also provides a stunning prelude to the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s (RORC’s) North Sea Race, scheduled on May 15, from Harwich to Scheveningen.

Carrying forward the exhilarating spirit of the new EAORA’s format, the 2026 itinerary includes an array of compelling races. Scheduled events include the Round the Goodwins Race on July 19, the HMS Halcyon Cup on August 15, followed by the Houghton Cup on September 5, culminating in the traditional season’s grand finale with The Buckley Goblets on September 18.

The 2026 sailing season beckons with its exciting revamped format, promising not just a race, but an adventure waiting to be experienced. Seafarers, it’s time to embark upon the new-wave EAORA format in 2026 and sail into unexplored waters!