Oyster Yachts sets sail from Antigua for the Oyster World Rally 2026-27
by Oyster Yachts 24 Jan 06:21 UTC
Oyster World Rally 2026-27 © Ugo Fonolla
Oyster Yachts, the iconic British builder of the world's finest luxury bluewater sailing yachts, has officially commenced the Oyster World Rally 2026-27. This fifth edition of the world's only fully-supported circumnavigation, which is exclusively for Oyster owners, marks the start of a 16-month, 27,000-nautical-mile extraordinary journey, and a special moment for the brand as Owner and Chairman Richard Hadida joins the fleet for the first time with his family.
From Fort Charlotte, the Governor General of Antigua, the Oyster team, and fellow guests watched as the Rally fleet slipped their lines to begin their adventure, accompanied by traditional Antiguan dancers, steel pan, and the vibrant energy of the marina on departure day. The sailors will visit the world's most spectacular cruising grounds and sailing destinations, crossing multiple oceans along a carefully curated route. Timed precisely to make the most of global weather patterns, the route ensures that the fleet experiences the best each location has to offer, with plenty of cruising time at the end of each passage.
Said Stefan Zimmermann Zschocke, CEO of Oyster Yachts, "The Oyster World Rally is more than just a circumnavigation, it's a celebration of our community, craftsmanship, and passion for bluewater sailing. Each edition brings new adventures and strengthens the bonds between our owners worldwide. We are proud to support this incredible journey, ensuring that every crew can focus on the joy of sailing while our expert teams handle the logistics and technical support. As Oyster continues to innovate and grow, our Rally remains the ultimate testament to the spirit of exploration that defines our brand."
This year's edition features 23 Oysters whose owners span eight different nationalities around the globe, including USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Spain, Australia, Netherlands, and Belgium, and a fleet of Oysters ranging from 50 to 90 feet. Amongst the Rally fleet, there are 15 new generation Oysters: one Oyster 495, four Oyster 565s, seven Oyster 595s, two Oyster 675s, and one Oyster 885.
The Oyster team seamlessly manages every step of the journey, from helping owners select the perfect Oyster to thoroughly preparing owners and crew through a comprehensive training programme developed exclusively for the Oyster World Rally. Once under way, the fleet is supported by expert Oyster Technical and Logistics teams on the ground, allowing them to make the best use of their time at each stopover.
Some of the fleet arrived in Antigua in mid-December, having taken part in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) and ARC+ rallies, the traditional delivery passage to the Caribbean for Europe-based yachts. The
ARC fleet mustered excellent success, with an all-Oyster top three in Cruising Class B. Ahead of their Rally adventure in Antigua, Oyster 565 Odisea, 595 Alpenglow and 595 Carina arrived into Grenada first, second, and third respectively, separated by just 16 hours in uncorrected times.
Follow the Oyster World Rally 2026-27 fleet at oysteryachts.com/oyster-world-rally/rally-live