Under the skin of Argo

When the start gun fires in Lanzarote for the 2026 RORC Transatlantic Race on January 11, two of the most extraordinary offshore racing machines will once again go head-to-head across the Atlantic.

The MOD70 trimarans Argo (USA) and Zoulou (FRA), skippered by Jason Carroll and Erik Maris respectively, are capable of sustaining speeds of more than 35 knots. Between them, they have set records, crossed oceans, and rewritten the limits of human endurance.

This January, it will be two years since Argo and Zoulou last raced across the Atlantic. We spoke to Argo’s project manager Chad Corning, who has been and ‘Argonaut’ for 17 years and will be on board once again for the 3,000 nautical-mile battle. As Argo’s Project Manager, Chad takes care of business for the complete management of the project. Argo came out of the water in Marina Lanzarote on 15 October and is back in the water for training in December before the big start in January.

This feature takes a deep dive inside the Argo project ahead of the race, exploring the technology, preparation and people behind one of offshore racing’s most compelling machines — and why another transatlantic duel promises to push limits, nerves and speed records all the way to Antigua. – Full report