2019 RORC Caribbean 600 Recap Video

2019 RORC Caribbean 600 Recap Video

The 11th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600 attracted 76 teams from 21 countries and crews from six continents. The highly diverse fleet were challenged by the tough conditions and captivated by the beauty of a stunning race course. The non-stop 600 mile race around 11 Caribbean islands is unique and very much on the bucket-list of any offshore sailor.

“All the classes had amazing competition and many finished the race just minutes apart, especially in the battle between Maserati and Argo, and the Class40s,” commented RORC CEO Eddie Warden Owen. “There were a lot of new boats and faces at this edition and the quality of the fleet and sailors continues to impress every year. The weather served up classic trade wind conditions which makes the race a challenge, but also a fast and exciting one.”

For the 2019 edition, David and Peter Askew's Wizard (USA) is the first Volvo 70 to win the race and the eighth team from the USA to lift the RORC Caribbean 600 Trophy.

“Awesome,” commented David Askew. “This is the first time we have done this race and to win it overall is beyond our wildest possible dreams. I really can't believe it.”

“Wizard planing at 25 knots - that is what makes this race so great and there is always something going on around these beautiful islands. This is the first time I have been to Antigua and the welcome has been phenomenal,” added Peter Askew.

Maserati Multi 70 skippered by Giovanni Soldini (ITA) crossed the finish line of the RORC Caribbean 600 in an elapsed time of 1 day, 06 hours 49 minutes and 00 seconds, taking Multihull Line honours and setting a new Multihull Race Record.

RORC video above published Feb 25, 2019. See also 2019 RORC Caribbean 600 Race, Antigua Start Feb 18, LIVE Feed.

more about sailing below (@ web version link below for mobile)

Follow @johnthecrowd

2019 RORC Caribbean 600 Race, Antigua Start Feb 18, LIVE Feed

2019 RORC Caribbean 600 - Multihull record and line honours

First finishers in Antigua: Maserati Multi 70 skippered by Giovanni Soldini (ITA) crossed the finish line of the RORC Caribbean 600 at 20:49:00 AST on Tuesday 19 February 2019 in an elapsed time of 1 day, 06 hours 49 minutes and 00 seconds, taking Multihull Line honours and setting a new Multihull Race Record in the 11th edition of the race; beating the previous record by just over one hour. The extraordinary events surrounding the battle for Multihull Line Honours will be remembered for years to come. Just 48 hours before the start of the 2019 RORC Caribbean 600, Jason Carroll's MOD 70 Argo (USA) capsized at high speed in training. It seemed impossible that Argo would be racing, but after a monumental effort by the sailing community in Antigua, Argo's crew and shore team, Argo miraculously made the impossible a reality. The team came in just 7 minutes behind Maserati. RORC video above published Feb 20, 2019, © Acquafilms Antigua/RORC.

2019 RORC Caribbean 600 UPDATES:  LIVE Tracker and Results.

• David and Peter Askew's American Volvo 70 Wizard has won the 2019 RORC Caribbean 600 Trophy, scoring the best corrected time under IRC. Wizard put in a near faultless performance to complete the 600 mile non-stop race in 43 hours 38 minutes and 44 seconds.

• In the early hours of Thursday 21 February, after two and a half days and nights of intense competition and over 600 miles of racing, it all came down to just a few minutes. Catherine Pourre's French Class40 Eärendil won Line Honours for the Class40 Division for the second year in a row.

• Record for Maserati Multi 70 and Multihull Line Honours: Maserati Multi 70 skippered by Giovanni Soldini (ITA) crossed the finish line of the RORC Caribbean 600 at 20:49:00 AST on Tuesday 19 February 2019 in an elapsed time of 1 day, 06 hours 49 minutes and 00 seconds, taking Multihull Line honours and setting a new Multihull Race Record in the 11th edition of the race; beating the previous record by just over one hour.

• Monohull line honours for Wizard: David & Peter Askew (USA) racing their Volvo 70 Wizard have taken Monohull Line Honours in the RORC Caribbean 600 crossing the finish line on Wednesday 20 February at 07:08:44 AST in an elapsed time of 1d 19h 38m 44s. Wizard has set the bar for the overall win under IRC for the RORC Caribbean 600 Trophy.

2019 RORC Caribbean 600: Early arrivals, interviews & Class40 battle

Early arrivals in Antigua + interviews with some of the first finishers in the 11th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600; including Class40 winner, Catherine Pourre - Eärendil (FRA); Wizard - Line honours monohull, Volvo Open 70 - David and Peter Askew (USA); Superyacht & largest boat in the race, Nikata, Greg Slyngstad's Bieker 53 Fujin (USA) successful return after her capsize in the race in 2018; Shannon Falcone's Dna F4 Falcon (ANT) and Multihull winner, John Gallagher on Gunboat 62 Chim Chim.

After two and a half days and nights of intense competition and over 600 miles of racing, it all came down to just a few minutes for the battle of the Class40s. Catherine Pourre's French won Line Honours for the second year in a row, this time defeating two of the rising stars of offshore racing. Hammering around the course was not enough; guile and tenacity also played their part. RORC video above published Feb 21, 2019. © AcquafilmsAntigua/RORC

See also 2019 RORC Caribbean 600 Class40 showdown video--"An epic finish is on the bill for the Class40 fleet with just 16 minutes separating the leading three yachts. Aymeric Chappellier's Aïna Enfance Et Avenir is just in the lead, in his rear view mirror Chappellier can see Catherine Pourre's Eärendil and Luke Berry's Lamotte - Module Création blast reaching at 20 knots in hot pursuit"--and the Class40 Hydra at Nevis video.

Start of the 11th edition RORC Caribbean 600

Blast Off for the RORC Caribbean 600--The 2019 RORC Caribbean 600 kicked off in spectacular conditions off the south coast of Antigua with the magnificent fleet starting the 600 mile non-stop offshore race in bright sunshine, full-on gusting tradewinds and two-metre high waves. The 11th edition of the race featured 76 starting yachts from 20 different countries.--RORC video above published Feb 18, 2019.

2019 RORC Caribbean 600 – Race Preview Film

75 yachts are about to embark on the 11th edition of this epic 600 nautical mile race around 11 Caribbean islands, starting and finishing off Fort Charlotte, Antigua on Monday 18th February 2019. RORC video above published Feb 17, 2019.

The 2019 RORC Caribbean 600 Race start: Monday 18th February 2019, Antigua

The 2019 RORC Caribbean 600 Race course, approximately 600 miles

Official website: caribbean600.rorc.org. Some of the high profile sailors participating (pdf).

The 11th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600 starts from Antigua on Monday 18th February 2019. 

CLASS START TIMES:
1100     IRC 2, IRC 3, CSA
1110     IRC 1 & Class40     
1120     IRC Zero & Superyacht
1130     Multihull

The 600nm course circumnavigates 11 Caribbean Islands starting from Fort Charlotte, English Harbour, Antigua and heads north as far as St Martin and south to Guadeloupe taking in Barbuda, Nevis, St Kitts, Saba and St Barth's. See Notice of Race.

RACE RECORDS: Multihull record (2016) Lloyd Thornburg, Phaedo3, MOD70 (USA) 31 hours, 59 minutes, 04 seconds. Monohull record (2018) George David, Rambler 88, Maxi (USA) 37 hours, 41 minutes, 45 seconds.

PREVIOUS WINNERS: RORC CARIBBEAN 600 TROPHY - IRC OVERALL
(Best corrected time under IRC)
2018 - George David, Rambler 88, Maxi (USA)
2017 - Hap Fauth, Bella Mente, JV72 (USA)
2016 - George Sakellaris, Maxi 72, Proteus (USA)
2015 - Hap Fauth, JV72, Bella Mente (USA)
2014 - George Sakellaris, RP72, Shockwave (USA)
2013 - Ron O'Hanley, Privateer, Cookson 50 (USA)
2012 - Niklas Zennström's JV72, Rán (GBR)
2011 - George David, Rambler 100, JK 100 (USA)
2010 - Karl C L Kwok, Beau Geste, Farr 80 (HKG)
2009 - Adrian Lee, Lee Overlay Partners, Cookson 50 (IRL)

Tweets by RORCRacing

more about sailing below (@ web version link below for mobile)

Follow @johnthecrowd

2018 RORC Caribbean 600, Antigua Start Feb 19 Video, LIVE Feed

2018 RORC Caribbean 600 - Wrap up film

RORC video above published Feb 27, 2018: The RORC Caribbean 600 has grown up to become a 'must do' offshore classic. The 2018 race celebrated its tenth anniversary and the 600-mile race around 11 Caribbean islands is on the bucket list of any serious offshore sailor. This year, any remanence of its stature as a Caribbean cruise was totally extinguished. 25 knots of solid trade winds with gusty squalls and a confused sea state delivered a challenge to over 800 sailors from six different continents. The 2018 edition of the race was the coming of age of the RORC Caribbean 600. 84 starters, 41 finishers, 43 retirees.

RORC Caribbean 600 2018 - First Finishers (video)

RORC video above published Feb 23, 2018--10th Edition of the RORC Caribbean 600 - First Finishers: "We're delighted to have won overall in IRC Rating​ and better yet to have broken our own record at the same time.” - George David, Rambler 88, winner of the 2018 RORC Caribbean 600 Trophy.

George David's American Maxi Rambler 88 has won the 2018 RORC Caribbean 600 Trophy, scoring the best corrected time under IRC. Rambler 88 revelled in the heavy airs race, setting a new monohull race record and by winning IRC Zero, completed a hatrick of trophies. Rambler 88 scorched around the track in an elapsed time of 37 hours 41 minutes and 45 seconds, beating the record set by George David's Rambler 100 in 2011 by nearly three hours. On hearing the result, George David commented: "In ten years the '600 has gone from a handful of boats in its first edition, to 84 on its tenth anniversary. It's a great race all around; congratulations to the RORC and everyone involved. We're delighted to have won overall in IRC and better yet, to have broken our own record at the same time."  

Start of the 10th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600 - Record fleet sets off on record pace

RORC video above published Feb 19, 2018: A record 84 yachts started the 2018 RORC Caribbean 600 in Antigua on Monday 19th February. - the largest fleet in the ten-year history of the race. The impressive armada set off in unstable conditions with squalls producing a wind range of over 20 knots, and as little as 10, with some big shifts in direction. High seas and strong trade winds are expected for the race, with the anticipation of record breaking pace.

UPDATE: Royal Ocean Racing Club: "Race Rambler 88 breaks RORC Caribbean 600 Monohull Record--George David's American Maxi Rambler 88 set a new monohull race record in an elapsed time of 1 day 13 hours 41 minutes and 45 seconds."

All 2018 RORC Caribbean 600 Results: http://caribbean600.rorc.org/Race-Information/Results/

2018 RORC Caribbean 600 - Race Preview

RORC video above published Feb 19, 2018: 2018 RORC Caribbean 600 Race Preview.

88 yachts are about to embark on the 10th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600, including some of the world's best-known racing teams. A record-breaking fleet, alongside record-breaking weather...

Royal Ocean Racing Club - How to follow the 2018 RORC Caribbean 600: A record fleet of yachts from around the world will start the 10th edition of the 2018 RORC Caribbean 600 from Antigua on Monday 19th February.

Start times: 1100: IRC 2, 3 & CSA, 1110: IRC 1 & Class40, 1120: IRC Zero & Superyacht, 1130: Multihull.

2018 RORC Caribbean 600 Wouter Verbraak walks the course

RORC video above published Feb 15, 2018: Sevenstar Racing Yacht Logistics Division is headed by Wouter Verbraak, a world leading professional sailor who knows the ins and outs of running a top racing team. He has vast experience in the offshore racing arena and has won many of the world’s biggest sailing races with his strategic skills and team approach.

RACE MINISITE: For all the latest news from the race, blogs from the boats, video and photos, to track the fleet or join the virtual race, please go to the race website: http://caribbean600.rorc.org

FLEET TRACKER: All yachts in the race will be fitted with a YB Tracker

VIRTUAL REGATTA: http://click.virtualregatta.com/?li=4865
If you cannot escape the office for sunshine and 28 degree warm water, then enter the Virtual Regatta race from the comfort of your armchair!

SOCIAL MEDIA: Regular updates, images, video and audio will bring the race alive:

• Twitter: Follow @rorcracing (embed below)
• Race hashtag: #Caribbean600 #rorcc600
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rorcracing/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RoyalOceanRacingClub

Tweets by RORCRacing

more about sailing below (@ web version link below for mobile)

Follow @johnthecrowd

2016 RORC Caribbean 600 Update, Monohull Comanche (videos)

Video above: Comanche wins Line Honours in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2015 - 28 Dec  -  Jim Clark and Kristy Hinze-Clark’s maxi Comanche pulled off an incredible feat.

A Look Back at 2015 RORC Caribbean 600: Stories from the race

2016 RORC Caribbean 600 update:
The record fleet for the RORC Caribbean 600 enjoyed a full moon on the first night of racing. At sunset on the first night, all of the fleet had rounded the Barbuda mark, enjoying fantastic sailing conditions and highly competitive racing. Phaedo3 and Concise 10 were at the front of the fleet enjoying a thrilling high-speed duel, often touching a blistering 30 knots of boat speed. 100ft Maxi, Comanche was blasting through the Caribbean surf in hot pursuit of the monohull record for the course. Four Maxi72s were in a close quarters battle for supremacy, but two of the smaller yachts in the fleet were vying for the overall lead as dawn broke on day two of the RORC Caribbean 600.

IRC Overall
Three yachts in IRC Zero occupy the podium. Steve Benjamin's American TP52, Spookie is the provisional leader for the race after IRC time correction. Spookie was set to round Tintamarre the northern most part of the course this morning. Last night, Spookie and a leading pack of about 25 yachts rounded the chicane at the top of the course weaving past Nevis, St.Kitts, Saba, St. Barths and St.Martin. This is probably the most technical part of the 600 mile race, with dozens of manoeuvres requiring precision and stamina from the crew. Spookie's crew is a well-drilled short course unit, well versed in boat handling. On Spookie's hip is Piet Vroon's Dutch Ker 51, Tonnerre. The Dutch grandmaster's team is also well versed in short course racing having won her class in last year's RORC IRC National Championship. Tonnerre 4 was less than eight minutes behind Spookie after IRC time correction.

Maxi72

Hap Fauth's JV72, Bella Mente was lying third after time correction and leading the tight pack of four Maxi72s, but only just. Peter Ogden's Jethou and George Sakellaris' Proteus were both in sight. Dieter Shoen's JV72, Momo showed great speed during the first day to round Barbuda, just behind Bella Mente. Momo was the leader after time correction for several hours, but during the night fell back behind the others by some three miles.

MOCRA Multihull
It is all on in the battle between the two MOD70s. Lloyd Thornburg's Phaedo3 has led the multihull fleet since the start of the race but the American MOD70, co-skippered by Brian Thompson has been pushed all the way by Tony Lawson's British MOD70, Concise 10, skippered by Ned Collier Wakefield. Covering an astonishing 380 miles in just 20 hours, the two flying machines were entering the wind shadow of Guadeloupe at dawn this morning. The 'Guadeloupe Casino' could well decide the victor. The wind shadow west of the French island, followed by a tricky passage from Iles des Saintes to La Desirade is one of the most complex conundrums of the course. Phaedo3 have a slender advantage over Concise 10, but by leading the way, if Phaedo3 stall, Concise 10 will take the advantage without any mercy. After corrected time using the MOCRA rating system. Phaedo3 holds the upper hand from Concise 10 with Jonathan Bush's Gunboat 62, Zenyatta in third.

IRC 1
Grand Soleil 46, Belladonna, skippered by RORC Admiral Andrew McIrvine with RORC Commodore, Michael Boyd as navigator leads the class. On the water, 10 yachts in IRC One were on the wind heading for St.Barths. The majestic 213ft schooner Adix was leading the race overall during the night, but stayed on starboard tack on the beat to St.Barths and lost ground. Erik De Turkheim's French A13, Teasing Machine was second in class just seven minutes behind Belladonna after IRC time correction. Teasing Machine should be very fast on the next leg; a 55nm reach to St.Martin, as will Adix. Andrew Weiss' Sydney 43, Christopher Dragon was in third.

IRC Two
Defending class champion, Scarlet Oyster, skippered by Ross Applebey had a one hour lead, however virtually the entire class was in a close pack beating to St.Barths at dawn this morning. First 40, Arthur Logic, skippered by Oliver Heer was leading on the water and second after time correction, and Dominic Hurndall's Grand Soleil 43, Jua Kali was in third place. Andrew Allner's Swan 53, Ballytrim is six miles behind the leaders but may well move up the rankings after cracking sheets around St.Barths.

IRC Three
Irish eyes are smiling in IRC Three with Conor Fogerty's team from Howth Yacht Club on Jeanneau Sunfast 3600, Bam leading the class this morning. However, the Irish team have a full-on battle with Susann Wrede's German Swan 441, Best Buddies. The two yachts have pulled away from the rest of the class and matching each other for speed on the beat to St.Barths.
(source: Press Release)

More information:

• Official website: caribbean600.rorc.org/
• 2016 Fleet Tracking | Tracking - Players | Race Information
• JohnTheCrowd | Sailing News: RORC Caribbean 600 .... includes Twitter feed

#rorcrc600

more sailing news below (@ web version link below for mobile)

Follow @johnthecrowd