A Century at Sea: RORC Celebrates 100 Years in Rotterdam
As part of its year-long centenary celebrations, the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) hosted a spectacular evening at the Royal Maas Yacht Club in Rotterdam, bringing together 380 members and guests for a night of reflection, recognition, and future inspiration.
The Centenary Dinner in Rotterdam was a fitting tribute to both the RORC’s 100-year legacy and the Netherlands’ rich offshore racing tradition. The event celebrated the enduring ties between the two sailing nations and looked ahead to a vibrant future—anchored by shared history and youthful ambition.
Baraka GP & ROST Van Uden © Hans Wijker
The evening began with a spirited gathering on the docks, where youth sailors from the Royal Maas Optimist programme visited the Dutch Admiral’s Cup entries, Baraka GP and Van Uden. The young sailors were invited aboard for personal tours by the crews, who generously shared their time, stories, and enthusiasm. It was a powerful moment of connection between generations, with seasoned offshore sailors passing the torch to the next wave of competitors.
Royal Maas YC © Hans Wijker
Inside the Royal Maas clubhouse, a lively programme of speeches, toasts, and tributes set the tone for a memorable evening. Special thanks were extended to Commodore Arnoud Van Der Slot, Lukas Kolff, and Harm Tiddens for organising such a well-attended and warmly received occasion.
Royal Maas YC Commodore Arnoud Van Der Slot © Hans Wijker
A highlight of the night came when the head of the Port of Rotterdam presented both Baraka GP and Van Uden with battle flags, before challenging the two Admiral’s Cup crews to a race—who could hoist their flag first? Baraka took an early lead, but a tangle with not one but two halyards saw Van Uden’s youthful crew claim the win and the bragging rights, to the delight of the cheering crowd.
RORC Commodore Deb Fish and RORC Admiral Janet Grosvenor attended the celebrations. Deb Fish delivered an inspiring speech reflecting on the RORC’s rich history and enduring bond with Dutch sailors.
“It is my great pleasure to represent the RORC this evening,” Fish began, warmly thanking Commodore Arnoud Van Der Slot, Lukas Kolff, and Harm Tiddens for their efforts in organizing the evening. “One of the things I cherish most about the RORC is its international nature and the opportunity to meet people from around the world who share our passion for offshore racing.”
A Shared Legacy
The dinner was not just a celebration of RORC’s centenary—it was a tribute to the strong maritime ties between the UK and the Netherlands. The connection dates back to 1936, when Dutch sailor Kees Bruynzeel became RORC’s first Dutch member and later went on to win the 1937 Fastnet Race aboard Zeearend. That bond deepened in 1946 with the launch of the North Sea Race, a challenging offshore route renowned for its complex navigation around oil rigs, gas fields, and wind farms which is still run annually.
Stormvogel competing in the 2023 Rolex Fastnet Race © ROLEX / Kurt Arrigo
Dutch sailors have long been part of the RORC’s competitive legacy. In 1961, Bruynzeel’s new maxi Stormvogel took line honours in the Fastnet, while Royal Maas’s own Zwerver won on handicap—a remarkable year for Dutch sailing.
Commodore Fish paid tribute to some of the great Dutch contributors to RORC over the years, including the legendary Piet Vroon, a long-time competitor and Rear Commodore who raced for over 60 years and won the Fastnet in 2001. “I am delighted to see his son Carlo here this evening,” she noted, also welcoming former Rear Commodores Hans Zuiderbaan and Harry Heist, who continue to be part of RORC’s story.
She also took a moment to honour the role of the Dutch Navy, whose ship HMS Overijssel was instrumental in the 1979 Fastnet Race rescue operation. Representing the ship’s crew, Alard Tuitel received heartfelt thanks from the RORC on behalf of all survivors.
ROST Van Uden © Paul Wyeth/RORC
The Admiral’s Cup Returns
Looking ahead, Fish highlighted the return of the iconic Admiral’s Cup in July 2025 after a 22-year absence. “Dutch teams have been a regular feature in the Admiral’s Cup since 1959, and notably won the event in 1999,” she said. In this year’s relaunch, the Dutch team will feature Van Uden, skippered by Gerd-Jan Poortman, and Baraka GP, from the De Graaf family. “We’re thrilled to have 15 two-boat teams confirmed, and with a record 450 boats expected for the Rolex Fastnet Race, it promises to be an unforgettable event.”
Investing in the Future
Fish emphasised the importance of investing in youth to sustain the sport’s future. “Like the Royal Maas, we recognise the importance of younger sailors,” she said. RORC has reduced membership fees for under-30s and relaunched the Griffin youth programme, recently acquiring a Sun Fast 3600 named Griffin for young sailors to campaign. The boat is expected to compete in all major races, including the North Sea Race. Ker 46 Van Uden that will be part of the Admiral’s Cup team, will race under the burgee of the Royal Maas YC, and is crewed by a youth crew from the Rotterdam Offshore Sailing Team.
RORC Centenary Summer Party
Join the RORC to celebrate 100 years at the next RORC Centenary Dinner to be held at the RORC Cowes Clubhouse with a Centenary Summer Party on Saturday, 19th July.
£25 for members and £30 for non-Members.
With Champagne on arrival, followed by a two course BBQ buffet, finished off with the Island's most popular Rock band, The Accelerators.
