Welcome to the Royal Escape Race
The Royal Escape is the largest offshore race on the South Coast outside of the Solent. The race is held annually with a mixed fleet of monohull yachts starting just off Brighton's Palace Pier trimming sails out across the channel to Fécamp on the Normandy coast. It's a distance of 67 nautical miles and we pride ourselves on welcoming everybody from the fastest carbon-rich teams right through to classic yachts and those wanting to adventure across the channel, perhaps for the first time, in supportive company.
The Royal Escape celebrates the escape across the channel of Charles II and being a man who held a party in high regard, we think he'd enjoy the spirit of camaraderie and laughter enjoyed by all on this historic event.
The Royal Escape Race is organised each year by the Sussex Yacht Club from which a large team of volunteers contribute energy, ideas and a huge amount of time to deliver you the best possible cross-channel event. The fees detailed in the entry documents are calculated to cover the many race costs and to provide seed money for the 2011 event. If after all the bills have been paid we find there is a surplus, this goes to Charity in the form of Sussex Sailability, but we would emphasise that this is primarily a yacht race and we won't be rattling buckets fund raising!
Race CancelledNotice Issued 23 May 2013 There is no easy way to put this but I am cancelling the 2013 Royal Escape Race. I am very grateful for the skippers who communicated their intentions and comments to me by email and phone during today; it will come as no surprise that the vast majority have concerns. The current MET Office Shipping Forecast issued 10:30 UTC today is for NW force 5-7. I would add that the low pressure that is behind our problems may track down the course on Friday and has the potential to deliver unexpected shifts and wind strengths - I am now seeing forecasts indicating up to 27 knots into the harbour entrance which will make it hazardous to say the least. The pilot warns against even attempting the entrance in F7+. Last Updated (Thursday, 23 May 2013 12:46) Race WeatherOur sport is all about the weather and the Royal Escape Race conditions are of huge importance. We consult with a number of online weather sites right up to and during the race and we would like to share these weather sources with you. Everybody aboard every yacht needs to be confident they understand the likely weather conditions and are suitably experienced and equipped in order to cope with them. Notice of Race 2013
We are accepting online entries from this website for the Royal Escape Race, however if you would prefer to put pen to paper you can download an entry form and send it to the SYC office. Last Updated (Thursday, 09 May 2013 09:19) News by Email
Single & Short Handed
The following is a write up of the SORC Royal Escape experiences in 2012; Bienvenue à la Royal Escape!
Cette course est ouverte à tous types de bateaux monocoques que ce soit des bateaux rapides à la pointe de la technologie ou des bateaux en bois classiques et surtout à ceux qui veulent tenter l’aventure de la traversée en flotte. Cette course commémore l’évasion du roi Charles II vers la France en 1651, un roi qui savait organiser des manifestations. .il aurait certainement apprécié l’esprit de camaraderie et l’ambiance qui caractérise cet évènement. La royal escape est organisée chaque année par un groupe de bénévoles du Sussex Yacht Club qui ne ménage pas ses efforts et son temps pour en faire un évènement nautique majeur. Les frais d’inscriptions servent à couvrir les frais engagés et la préparation de la course pour l’année suivante. S’il reste un solde positif, cet argent va à une association caritative qui encourage la pratique de la voile pour les handicapés. |
NEW! Coach for the briefing....We are again running a coach from Brighton Maraina to the briefing at SYC and back again. The coach filled up last year so to book seats email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it including your skippers name, the boat name and the number of crew that wish to ride. IRC (LV) TCC
For 2013 the Royal Escape Race will accept LV TCCs, and we hope that if you do not wish or need to get a full Spinlock IRC certificate, the option of racing with an LV TCC at a reduced cost will encourage your participation in this event. The Limited Validity TCC is an initiative by the RORC Rating Office for 2013 for occasional IRC racers. If you are thinking of doing just one or two IRC events this year then the Spinlock IRC LV TCC may be for you. Please have a look at the introduction on the RORC Rating website to see whether it would fit your racing plans ›› Crew RegisterApril 2013
We have a new forum installed called 'BANTER'. This new forum is better at fending off spammy posts than the old one and hopefully all your usernames and passwords have been migrated succesfully, but if not, registration is easy and automated so you don't have to wait to use it.
WE have added a new section for the Royal Escape crew finder, but if you feel we need any other new sections then let me know. The new forum can be found right here ››
 There is a new section on the SYC forum where you can register your interest in sailing as a crew or as a skipper looking to fill berths for this years Royal Escape. The forum registration is quick and simple and we hope it proves useful bringing people together for the big day. The forum can be found right here ››Premier Marina Offer
Race Date 2013
Photos from 2012Photos From Warwick
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The notice of race for 2013 has now been published and can be downloaded from the link below, along with the SCCH handicap application form if you need it (if you already have a SCCH rating and your yacht has not undergone any changes that may affect your rating then you are OK).
As the race approaches we'll be keeping people up to date with news not only on this website but also by email. 
Following up on the introduction of a short handed class racing under SCCH in 2011, we also introduced an IRC solo single handed class for 2012 and were really excited that so many SORC (Solo Offshore Racing Club) came to play. Alhtough the RER is set to feature on the offical SORC fixture list every other year, we would welcome any SORC boats that decide they fancy their chances in 2013.
La Royal Escape est la plus grande course du Sussex (67 Miles nautiques) et se déroule chaque année avec un départ près du Pier de Brighton pour arriver à Fécamp.
Spinlock IRC Limited Validity (LV) TCC 
Premier Marinas are an enthusiastic supporter of the Royal Escape Race and are offering a fabulous discounted flat-rate £18 per night pre-race berthing deal at Brighton Marina, but this needs to be done by filling in a downloadable form and sending it into the office. 
The spring bank holiday in 2013 is on Monday 27 May so the 36th Royal Escape Race will run on Friday 24 May 2013.
Long term Royal Escape supporter and SYC member Warwick Baker was out on his RIB at the start of the 2011 Royal Escape race and you can see his image galleries and download an order form by 