Dates
25 Jun 2027
Duration
2.3 days
Distance
84 nm
Route
Cowes → Alderney
About
JOG's first Channel Islands offshore — race O5 in the 2026 JOG Offshore Series.
The Osmotech Cowes-Alderney Race is a Channel Islands overnight race from Cowes to Alderney. Per the JOG 2026 NoR, the course is approximately 84 nm, Category 3. Friday 19:00 first start.
Friday evening start, overnight Channel passage, Saturday arrival in Alderney. Unity coordinates the return delivery in the crew WhatsApp closer to the date. Suited to crew with at least one previous offshore weekend.
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Race programme
Friday afternoon brief · 19:00 race start · overnight crossing · Saturday in Alderney · Sunday return.
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Race programme
Friday afternoon brief · 19:00 race start · overnight crossing · Saturday in Alderney · Sunday return.
Friday afternoon — pre-race brief
14:00 onwardsCrew arrive Mercury Yacht Harbour. Skipper brief, kit check, safety brief. Light dinner before dock-out.
Friday evening — race start
19:00 first start (per JOG NoR)Race starts off Cowes. Overnight Channel passage south toward Alderney.
Saturday — arrival Alderney
Berthing in Braye, Alderney. Recovery, walk ashore, lunch.
Sunday — return to Solent
Return delivery to Mercury Yacht Harbour — confirmed in the WhatsApp closer to the date.
Good to know
Meeting point
Mercury Yacht Harbour, Satchell Lane, Hamble-le-Rice, SO31 4HQ. We meet on the pontoon by your assigned berth — your skipper will share the berth number and a location pin in the crew WhatsApp group the week before.
Arrival
- Arrive by the start time shown on this event page.
- Subject to availability you can arrive the night before, arrange with the team
Parking
Free at Mercury, except Round the Island Race weekend.
Crew WhatsApp
Set up by the Wednesday before. Confirms timings, weather, destination berth.
Before you arrive
- Emergency contact, medical info and waiver in your dashboard profile.
- International races: upload passport details.
Essential
- Waterproof sailing jacket + salopettes
- Sailing boots (deck shoes only OK for inshore day races)
- Warm base layers (no cotton) + mid-layer fleece
- Hat and sailing gloves
- Sun hat, sunglasses with retainer, sun cream
- Head torch with red-light mode (any night sailing or offshore)
- Personal medication
- Sea-sickness remedy (taken 30 mins before the start)
- Water bottle and snacks for the day
- Soft holdall or dry bag — no hard suitcases
Overnight
- 3-4 season sleeping bag (no bedding provided)
- Toiletries, change of clothes, quick-dry towel
Offshore / double-handed
- Notebook for debrief
- Passport for cross channel races
Provided
- Life jackets and safety kit
- Charts, AIS, VHF (+ satcom offshore)
- Galley kit, water, tea, coffee
- Homebase Mooring fees
- Insurance (Security and damage deposit held for Bareboat Charters)
Not provided
Food and snacks aboard — bring your own, or shared crew food order on overnight / offshore (cost shared, leftovers taken home).
Leave behind
Hard suitcases, hair dryers, excess alcohol.
Who can join
- Intermediate — prior race yacht training
Organised by
Junior Offshore Group
JOG is a yacht club with a difference and steeped in history. Established in 1950 to enable smaller yachts to compete offshore, it organises highly competitive races for IRC rated yachts. Our vibrant yacht club prides itself on its inclusivity and providing organised, competitive yacht racing ensuring long-lasting broad appeal.
Visit Junior Offshore GroupQuestions
What's on the boat vs what I bring?
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Interested in this race?
£500 · Fri 25 Jun