ROYAL OCEAN RACING CLUB
20 ST JAMES'S PLACE, LONDON SW1A 1NN
Thursday 16 February 2012
CARIBBEAN DREAM
Caribbean 600 Starts 1100 Antigua, Monday 20th February
The 4th RORC Caribbean 600, starts at 1100 on Monday 20th February. There isn't
a single hotel room left near Antigua Yacht Club, as competitors fly in to the magical
island of Antigua from all four corners of the world - Falmouth Harbour is filled
to the brim with astounding yachts.
Niklas Zennström's JV72, Rán and George David's RP90 Rambler are the hot favourites
for the RORC Caribbean Trophy, but the two highly impressive yachts are almost hidden
in Falmouth Harbour. Rán were out practicing today and Navigator Steve Hayles reports
that conditions were a bit lighter than usual, but he expects 15-20 knots of trade
winds for the race with their weather routing predicting that they could finish
the race in 48 hours, may be less.
RORC member, Stan Pearson has lived and sailed the sublime waters around Antigua
for over 20 years. He was one of the creators of the RORC Caribbean 600 and will
be racing this year on Adela, the 181' twin masted schooner:
"I can't remember ever seeing Nelson's Dockyard and Falmouth Harbour with so many
impressive yachts but I know why they are here; there is nowhere in the world quite
like Antigua and the '600 is a real celebration of all that the Caribbean has to
offer. The sailing is just fantastic; constant trade winds, warm water and air
temperature in the high 20's provides brilliant sailing, but this is a tough race.
The course has a lot of corners and there is a lot of activity for the crews. Looking
at the fleet, there are going to be some great duels going on, it is going to be
a very competitive race."
For the first time, a Volvo Open 70 will be competing in the RORC Caribbean 600.
Some might suggest that the canting keel carbon fibre flyer could have been designed
for this course. Ernesto Cortina's Gran Jotiti has a highly talented Spanish crew
and could well be a contender for line honours and an overall win.
Class Zero has 16 entries and may well be the class to watch for the overall winner.
George David's Rambler 100 is the trophy holder and George David's all-star crew
will not be giving it up without a fight.
With a combined water line length that would soar 500ft above the Eiffel Tower,
there are some truly amazing yachts in Class Zero. The 214' ketch, Hetairos is an
impressive sight. The crew of 36 have been out practicing all this week and on board
there are enough sails to cover a full size football pitch. Sojana is expected to
have a Superyacht duel with 124' Pernini Navi, P2 owned by businessman and philanthropist,
Gerhard Andlinger. Sojana was on mark laying duty today. The only laid mark of the
course is the North Sails mark, off Barbuda. No doubt the crew, will be using the
exercise to practice the first 45 miles of racing.
In the Spirit of Tradition class Adela will line up against Windrose. This will
be the first time these magnificent yachts have raced against each other offshore,
however Adela did get the better of Windrose in The Superyacht Challenge inshore
regatta. A close battle with these two powerful yachts fully off the leash is a
mouth-watering prospect. Past RORC Commodore, Andrew McIrvine and a team of 11
RORC members including current Commodore, Mike Greville, have chartered the 145ft
Windrose.
The multihull record for the RORC Caribbean 600 has not been beaten since the inaugural
race in 2009. The 63' Trimaran, Paradox, skippered by Olivier Vigoureux says the
six crew on board are out to 'beat the current record'. The American, French and
British crew members have raced in the Figaro Race, Transat Jacques Vabres, America's
Cup and Mini Transat.
Anders Nordquist's Swan 90, Nefertiti, has an international crew including Rolex
Middle Sea Race winner, Christian Ripard from Malta. They should have a close battle
with Wendy Schmidt's Swan 80, Selene and Irish entry, RP78, Whisper.
There are a huge variety of yachts racing in IRC One, including Hound, skippered
by Frank Eberhart from indexe USA. The 60' classic will be competing in the Caribbean
600 for the first time with a family crew of avid racers. Hound has competed in
the last 8 Newport-Bermuda races, winning her class twice.
Ondeck's 40.7 Spirit of Venus is chartered to the Royal Armoured Corp Offshore Racing
Team. The majority of the 11 strong crew are part of the Challenger 2 index Battle
Tank Regiment which returned from Afghanistan last spring.
Lt Col Paul Macro RTR: "Soldiers have to work together as a team, under time pressure,
when cold, wet and tired, in difficult and even dangerous conditions. The adventurous
team spirit required by a successful offshore racing crew is the same as that required
by the crew of a tank or any other armoured vehicle."
There are four Class40s competing. Close duels are expected right through the fleet,
but a hard fought and close encounter is expected in this class. Trade wind sailing
provides perfect conditions for Class40s, with long reaches and downwind legs, these
pocket rockets are capable of surfing at speeds of up to 25 knots. Class40s from
America, Austria, France and Great Britain are taking on the 600 mile Caribbean
odyssey; Tim Fetch's Icarus Racing, Christophe Coatnoan's Partouche, Andreas Hanakamp's
Vaquita and Peter Harding's 40 Degrees, co-skippered by Hannah Jenner. The Class40s
will be level-racing under their own rules. First to finish will claim the Concise
Trophy; a full barrel of English Harbour rum.
IRC Two includes the smallest yacht in the fleet, Bernie Evan-Wong's Mumm 36, High
Tension. Antiguan dentist, Bernie has competed in all four RORC Caribbean 600 races,
however last year, High Tension did not finish the race.
"It is definitely a case of unfinished business," said Bernie. "We have actually
used our downfall to modify the rig, so we have made something good out of the
incident. Like many Antiguans, I am amazed how this race has developed since 2009,
I have been sailing in the Caribbean for over 50 years and what has been really
missing is a well-run, exciting offshore race. The RORC Caribbean 600 has provided
that and made my dreams come true."
The 2012 edition of the RORC Caribbean 600, organised by the Royal Ocean Racing
Club and hosted by the Antigua Yacht Club, will start on Monday 20th February 2012.
ENDS/....
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