CELEBRATED Isle of Wight sailors Jeremy Waitt and Richard Palmer will be looking to retain one of the most prestigious titles in world sailing — the RORC Transatlantic Race Trophy.

This year’s iconic race will get underway from Puerto Calero, Lanzarote, on January 8.

Richard’s JPK 10.10 yacht, Jangada, will be the smallest yacht racing in the fleet — competing in the IRC two-handed class — in what organisers predict will be a record entry.

For Cowes-based Jeremy and Richard, it will be their first appearance in the race since they won it on December 19, 2019.

It was — and remains — a huge achievement for British sailing and the Island.

Isle of Wight County Press: Jeremy Waitt and Richard Palmer on Jangada celebrate winning the RORC Transatlantic Race in 2019. Photo: Arthur DanielJeremy Waitt and Richard Palmer on Jangada celebrate winning the RORC Transatlantic Race in 2019. Photo: Arthur Daniel

Due to Covid, they did not appear in last year’s race, and the 2020 event was cancelled due to the pandemic.

When they won the title two years ago, the Islanders crossed the finish line fourth at the Caribbean island of Grenada, following their monumental 3,000-mile transatlantic effort — but were declared the winners on IRC corrected time.

The champagne flowed as Richard and Jeremy claimed the trophy, finishing almost 24 hours ahead of their target.

This will be their third RORC Transatlantic Race. They go into the eighth edition of it, among a world class fleet, in top form having won the IRC two-handed class in last month’s Rolex Middle Sea Race, having sailed in feisty conditions.

Isle of Wight County Press: Jeremy Waitt and Richard Palmer on Jangada celebrate winning the RORC Transatlantic Race in 2019. Photo: Arthur DanielJeremy Waitt and Richard Palmer on Jangada celebrate winning the RORC Transatlantic Race in 2019. Photo: Arthur Daniel

Given the high number of performance yachts entered for the 2022 edition, a fierce battle is expected for overall victory after IRC time correction.

Despite the hiatus from top class sailing due to Covid, Jeremy and Richard, who work superbly as co-skippers, have clearly shown signs they have picked up where they left off in 2019.

It is further illustration of the huge strides they have made in world sailing in the past five years.

“This will be the second race for the season. The ambition is to win the RORC Season’s Points Championship overall, which has never been done by a two-handed team,” Richard explained.

Isle of Wight County Press: Jeremy Waitt and Richard Palmer on Jangada celebrate winning the RORC Transatlantic Race in 2019. Photo: Arthur DanielJeremy Waitt and Richard Palmer on Jangada celebrate winning the RORC Transatlantic Race in 2019. Photo: Arthur Daniel

“For our RORC Transatlantic Race win in 2019, the weather gods were in our favour — but the championship series was thwarted by the pandemic.”

The 2019 success was a massive achievement for the pair and their team on the Island.

At the time, Jeremy said the commitment, in terms of time and preparation, was monumental, and they will be hoping the boat performs as immaculately as it did two years ago.

“This year, even getting to the start line, is logistically challenging,” adds Richard.

“However, once the starting gun fires, the nerves and anxiety fall away. You are just in race mode.” For more information go to: http:// rorctransatlantic.rorc.org/