Friday 17 February 2012
ROYAL OCEAN RACING CLUB
20 ST JAMES'S PLACE, LONDON SW1A 1NN
Walk the Course with John Burnie - Caribbean 600
John Burnie - Credit: Tim Wright/Photoaction.com
John Burnie has been racing and cruising the Caribbean for decades. A long-standing
RORC member, John was on board ORMA 60 Region Guadeloupe, which flew around the
course in 40 hours 11 mins 5 secs in 2009 to set the multihull course record, which
has stood to this day. There are few people who know the course as well as John
especially as he was one of the creators of the first and only Caribbean 600-mile
offshore race.
This year, John will be competing on Sir Peter Harrison's Sojana. However John is
so enthusiastic about the race that he could not resist offering up some precious
tips and tricks about the course:
"An early look at the weather and it looks like we are going to get normal trade
wind conditions with a wind direction just slightly north of east, classic '600
conditions provided the weather pattern holds as it is."
"This year, the start line will need to be significantly longer because of the size
of the superyachts that have entered. It will be a magnificent sight from Shirley
heights. The yachts will tend to tack as close into the cliffs as they can to get
a huge lift off the headland and there is a lot of current inshore. The yachts will
want to get out of that adverse current. Once around Shirley heights a close-fetching
yacht can almost lay Green Island in one tack.
The leg up to Barbuda could well be a powerful reach but a good tip is that many
yachts tend to over-stand the North Sails mark at Barbuda. After Codrington Point
the wind can free off enormously as you run down the side of the island. The wind
also tends to accelerate there and it is usually a monster reach-to-reach gybe.
The downwind leg to Nevis is usually not too tactical but it is especially worth
looking out for squalls. I remember on Region Guadeloupe we overtook ICAP Leopard
there because we got the right side of a squall and they didn't. Significant gains
and losses can be made in squalls. Look at the cloud formations as you approach
Nevis. If the clouds are moving briskly that is a good sign of breeze, but if they
are static the signs are there is a big wind shadow and it is probably best to head
further west before turning the corner. In general, the best policy is to stay a
bit offshore around the back of Nevis and St.Kitts, then try and lay Saba in one
tack.
Although Saba is a small island it does have a fairly large wind shadow but it is
usually a tough beat afterwards and you would tend to try to keep as much height
as possible. The sea state can really pick up there due to a significant current.
It is the first real taste of harsh ocean sailing for the crew and yachts. After
making St.Maartin there are still 18 miles of short tacking. It is a hard-hitting
part of the course, especially at night for the smaller yachts. What's more, there
are a lot of rocks that the fleet will need to be especially careful of.
The reach down to Guadeloupe is the first real chance for crews to get their heads
down in the race but the start is a significant point tactically, getting the right
angle after St.Barths can be crucial. In my opinion, you should stay slightly high
on your course, as if the wind does go south of east, you could end up beating.
Montserrat is on the layline and there is talk of leaving Montserrat to port, but
in my opinion when there are normal trade wind conditions you shouldn't benefit
from going west of Montserrat, especially as in doing so you would have to sail
a lot more miles and in foul current.
The approach to Guadeloupe is a key area of the race. There is typically a significant
wind shadow on the north west corner of Guadeloupe, especially at night. Having
said that, during the day you can actually experience a westerly sea breeze there.
It is so variable that it is best to look at the clouds over the island and also
keep a watchful eye. I always get my binoculars out before approaching Guadeloupe
to see how other yachts are sailing up ahead. I have been trapped in an area of
no wind, north west of Guadeloupe and watched as 30 knots was blowing through the
channel, just two miles away. Many yachts may choose to put someone aloft to take
a good look, but a good overall strategy is to stay well off, keep your distance
maybe five miles offshore, sail a quarter of the way to Dominica so that you can
lay Les Saintes.
Îles des Saintes marks the most southerly point of the course but I would really
advocate turning back towards Guadeloupe after rounding Les Saintes, if the wind
is in the northeast. Beat back towards Cappisterre but watch out, there are thousands
of fishing floats. I wouldn't go in any further than a depth of 50-100 metres. However,
there is a massive lift inshore because the wind cascades down to the `north of
Soufriere with the wind going to the south. Once inshore, stay there is my advice,
don't go out towards Marie-Galante or you will lose out.
Les Desirade is the most easterly part of the course and that is always a place
with a rough sea state. Very confused seas with a lot of current, smaller yachts
need to be mindful of the conditions that can be expected. After rounding, the
yachts will come off the breeze, a big bare away and another time when crews can
get there heads down, as it is 90 miles to Barbuda and there are no real tactics
coming into play there, other than avoiding over standing the North Sails mark,
which we have already covered.
Barbuda to Redonda is normally a very fast reach with yachts belting along going
for line speed. It is worth keeping an eye out for squalls. Redonda is only a small
island but it can throw out a significant wind shadow. I have seen races won and
lost there so avoiding getting too close to Redonda. After rounding the last island
of the course, no messing about, get right on the wind and head for Cades Reef on
the north west coast of Antigua. There is a shelf extending out from Antigua some
16 miles and taking this route will be an advantage for less foul current, then
work down the west coast of Antigua along the edge of the reef until the finish.
The RORC Caribbean 600 starts 1100 local time - Monday 20th February 2012.
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