Core belief: “No jerks, just great sailors”

Clarke Murphy, a passionate ocean racer and dual member of the Royal Ocean Racing Club and the New York Yacht Club, is gearing up for his fifth Transatlantic Race in 20 years, this time as skipper of the JV 82 Ikigai, which is currently the largest boat entered in the 2025 race.

Ocean racing runs deep in Murphy’s veins. Raised on the Chesapeake Bay by a father who was a skilled sailor, Murphy spent his childhood weekends crammed with four siblings aboard a 33-foot cruiser. That early bonding led to two post-university years of full-time sailing and three Atlantic crossings in just 15 months, turning a dream into a lifetime passion.

Known for blending top-tier professionals with close family on board, Murphy’s crews reflect his core belief: “No jerks, just great sailors, good laughs and teamwork.”

Why take on the Atlantic again? For Murphy, it’s a blend of challenge and legacy: “The wind, the weather, the Gulf Stream, the history, every crossing is different,” he says. “You plan like crazy, but there’s always something: a breakdown, a whale, a container, a sail repair at 3 a.m. in the dark. That’s what makes it unforgettable.”

Sailing with his children has become one of Murphy’s greatest joys: “They see the prep, the safety, the teamwork, the setbacks and the thrill of crossing the finish line. There are few experiences that prepare you for life like ocean racing.”

With past Transatlantic entries that include storm-tossed rides on Stay Calm (2005), a broken bowsprit on ICAP Leopard (2011), hydraulic failure aboard Nomad IV (2015), and 11 days of hand-pumped water on Aegir (2019), Murphy knows the highs and lows of this race better than most.

“I’m hoping this race is the culmination of everything we’ve learned from the past crossings, a chance to really put it all together,” commented Murphy. “What makes this incredibly special is that it will be my daughter Morgan’s first transatlantic, and my son Liam’s third at just 23. When they asked if we could do one more as a team, that was all it took. No hesitation, we were in.”

Event information – Race details – Entry list

Transatlantic Race 2025 starts June 18 from depart Newport, RI. A virtual gate off Lizard Point will enable teams to challenge the course record for this historic passage, but the official finish will take place off the Royal Yacht Squadron’s waterfront castle in Cowes, England.

Oganized every few years, competitors will cover a distance of approximately 3,000 miles with IRC handicap scoring to determine the winners in each division. The 2025 edition will be the 32nd Transatlantic sailing competition organized by the New York Yacht Club.

Source: NYYC