RORC Caribbean 600: Record fleet sets off on record pace

A record 84 yachts started the 2018 RORC Caribbean 600 in Antigua today; the largest fleet assembled 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. At 1600 AST Rambler 88, Proteus and Warrior were ahead of the monohull race record.

Peter Aschenbrenner's Irens 63 Paradox was launched at the start and led the 11-strong multihull fleet, reaching Barbuda in just two hours. George David's American Maxi Rambler 88 got away well at the outer end of the line, tacking immediately to smoke upwind in a halo of spray. Rambler 88 took under an hour to round Green Island before unfurling reaching sails to blast towards Barbuda at well over 20 knots of boat speed. Ludde Ingvall's Australian Maxi CQS developed a technical problem shortly after the start and returned to Antigua to effect repairs, as per the rules of the race.

"It's incredible that the weather for the start of the 10th edition was exactly the same as the first race in 2009," commented Eddie Warden Owen, RORC Chief Executive. "Today's start is probably the windiest that we've had for some years, with rain squalls coming through during the start sequence, then sunshine; typical Antiguan conditions. We have a fantastic fleet of 84 boats setting off in this record-fleet."

George Sakellaris' American Maxi72 Proteus was just four minutes behind Rambler 88 at Green Island, lying just east of Antigua. USMMA Sailing Foundation's American Volvo 70 Warrior and Jens Kellinghusen's German Ker 56 Varuna were all in hot pursuit. Two Superyachts enjoyed a close battle at the start which is likely to rage for the whole of the race. The Dixon 100 Danneskjold was just 13 seconds ahead of the Southernwind 102 Farfalla at Green Island.

Catherine Pourre's French team racing Eärendil leads the Class40s after a tough beat to Green Island. Eärendil has stretched out a one mile lead ahead of Louis Burton's BHB and American John Niewenhous' Loose Fish.

In IRC One, Christian Kargl's Austrian More 55 Pixel, skippered by Michael Gilhofer is provisionally leading the class under IRC. Philippe Frantz's French NM43 Albator is second, with Olivier Rapeaud's Capo Di Fora in third.

In IRC Two, Scarlet Island Girl, owned by Ossie Stewart and skippered by Ross Applebey got a great start and provisionally lead the class. A tense battle is expected for the race and the start was indicative of this. Ballytrim, EH01, Avanti and Quokka are all fighting for the lead.

In IRC Three, Conor Fogerty's Irish Sunfast 3600, Bam got away to an impressive start, as did Jonty and Vicki Layfield's Swan 48 Sleeper X. Richard Palmer racing his British JPK 10.10 Jangada Two Handed with Jeremy Waitt also got a great getaway.

To follow the race, please go to: http://caribbean600.rorc.org

Track the race: http://caribbean600.rorc.org/Race-Information/Tracking/

Virtual race:  http://click.virtualregatta.com/?li=4865

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Hashtag: #Caribbean600 #rorcrc600

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rorcracing/

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NOTES TO EDITORS

MEDIA ENQUIRIES:

Trish Jenkins

RORC Press Officer 

Antiguan cell: +1 268 717 0273

M: +44 (0)7880 518689

E:   trish@j2pr.co.uk

Skype: trish jenkins 

RACE REPORTER:

Louay Habib

Antiguan cell: + 1 268 717 1811

M: +44 (0)7801 800521

E: louayhabib@gmail.com

RORC Race Enquiries:

Chris Stone, Racing Manager

Royal Ocean Racing Club

T: +44 (0) 1983 295144

E:   racing@rorc.org

W:  http://www.rorc.org/

Royal Ocean Racing Club:

20 St James's Place

London SW1A 1NN

Tel: 020 7493 2248

Fax: 020 7493 2470

E:  info@rorc.org  

MEDIA TEAM: On site in Antigua from 12 February: Trish Jenkins (Press Officer), 

Louay Habib (Race Reporter), Roddy Grimes-Graeme (Video), Tim Wright (Photographer), Arthur Daniel & Mags Hugdell (Photography). Race team based at Antigua Yacht Club.
 

INTERVIEWS/MEDIA REQUESTS: Please get in touch if you have any requests or wish to interview one of the organisers or competitors before, or after the race. (Contact: trish@j2pr.co.uk)

IMAGES: High resolution, copyright free images for editorial use will be available

VIDEO: Preview, start, early arrivals and a wrap up highlights edit will be available. Let us know any requests for broadcast quality footage.

FEATURES: if you would like a specific feature for your magazine on the race, or certain boats within it, we'd be pleased to help.

THE RORC CARIBBEAN 600:

RORC Caribbean 600 minisite: http://caribbean600.rorc.org

The 10th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600 starts from Antigua on Monday 19th February 2018. 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 . 87 yachts have entered the race to date

PAST RESULTS: RORC CARIBBEAN 600 TROPHY - IRC OVERALL 
(Best best corrected time under IRC)

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) 

THE ROYAL OCEAN RACING CLUB:

Established in 1925, The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) became famous for the biennial Fastnet Race and the international team event, the Admiral's Cup. It organises an annual series of domestic offshore races from its base in Cowes as well as inshore regattas including the RORC Easter Challenge and the IRC European Championship (Includes the Commodores' Cup) in the Solent. 

The RORC Caribbean 600, based in Antigua and the first offshore race in the Caribbean, has been an instant success. The 10th edition will take place in 2018. The RORC extended its organisational expertise by creating the RORC Transatlantic Race from Lanzarote to Grenada, the first of which was in November 2014. This year, the RORC Transatlantic Race is part of the Atlantic Anniversary Regatta.

The club is based in St James' Place, London, but after a merger with The Royal Corinthian Yacht Club in Cowes, now boasts a superb clubhouse facility at the entrance to Cowes Harbour and a membership of over 4000.

RORC website: www.rorc.org

Twitter: #rorcracing @RORCracing

Facebook: www.facebook.com/royaloceanracingclub

Instagram: www.instagram.com/rorcracing

RORC RATING:

The RORC has also been a leader in yacht handicap systems and in co-operation with the French offshore racing club, UNCL, created IRC - the principal yacht measurement system for the rating of racing yachts worldwide. The Spinlock IRC rating rule is administered jointly by the RORC Rating Office in Lymington, UK and UNCL Centre de Calcul in Paris, France. The RORC Rating Office is the technical hub of the Royal Ocean Racing Club and recognised globally as a centre of excellence for measurement. For Spinlock IRC rating information in the UK please see: www.rorcrating.com

IRC rating globally: www.ircrating.org

Social media: www.facebook.com/rorcratingwww.facebook.com/ircrating

Twitter @RORCrating @IRCrating

RACE PARTNERS:

The Royal Ocean Racing Club has partnered with Rolex SA, adding the RORC Caribbean 600 to the leading Swiss watchmaker's prestigious roster of yachting events around the world.  

www.rolex.com 

Sevenstar Yacht Transport - Official Logistics Partner to the RORC Caribbean 600. Sevenstar Yacht Transport is the world's leading provider of yacht shipping services. A global network of destinations, ranging from the familiar to the exotic, and our own fleet of more than 100 independent carriers have propelled Sevenstar to the pea Record k of its sector for more than 25 years. For race yachts, Sevenstar offers a unique package to the teams which includes all logistics of boat and spares. http://www.sevenstar-yacht-transport.com/racing-logistics.aspx

Sevenstar Yacht Transport Enquiries: 

Wouter Verbraak - Direct:  +44 238 021 5063, Mb: +44 755 752 6451 

E: wouter@sevenstar-uk.com