RORC CARIBBEAN 600

- Start: Monday 18 February 2013, Antigua
http://caribbean600.rorc.org - Übersicht

Monday 18 February 2013 ROYAL OCEAN RACING CLUB
20 ST JAMES'S PLACE, LONDON SW1A 1NN
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2013 RORC CARIBBEAN 600
Race Report By: Louay Habib
Startvideo

1700 Race Update:18 February 2013 By: Louay Habib
GREASED LIGHTNING: 1700 RACE REPORT

At 1700 local time, Peter Aschenbrenner's American trimaran, Paradox and Mike Slade's British Maxi, ICAP Leopard were both averaging a ballistic 18 knots covering the first 100 miles of the course in an astonishing seven and a half hours.
Peter Aschenbrenner's 63' Trimaran, Paradox Credit: Ocean Images/Richard Langdon
Paradox is eating up the miles, after literally getting airborne in the upwind leg after the start. Paradox pulled the trigger on the windward side of Antigua, flashing through the Atlantic swell like a scalded cat. By 1700 local time, Paradox had passed Nevis and blasting to leeward of St.Kitts, still achieving over 20 knots of boat speed. Lloyd Thornburg's Gunboat 66 Phaedo, nearly twice the weight of Paradox, was being pushed hard by Britain's Brian Thompson on the helm of Phaedo. Paradox was only 12 miles astern giving the Lamborghini Orange Gunboat the class lead on corrected. Sadly Austin Hearst's Gunboat 66, Slim has been forced to retire after rudder damage.

Mike Slade's British Maxi, ICAP Leopard and Hap Fauth's Bella Mente are seriously on the charge. Race fans may have noticed that the race tracker page has Rambler 100's record run from 2011 overlaid and at 1700, ICAP Leopard was ahead of the imaginary rival and the 72 foot Bella Mente less than 2 miles behind!

In the Superyacht category, Filip Balcaen's Belgian Baltic 112, Nilaya has averaged over 14 knots to lead the class on the water, but a strong performance by Adela puts the 180ft Schooner, skippered by Greg Perkins, ahead after time correction. Geert Pepping's schooner Athos had a conservative start to their first ever offshore race but the mood on board is buoyant, as Navigator, Miles Seddon explained by satellite link.
From on board Athos - Thanks to Miles Seddon
"Chasing down the fleet, after a poor start we have great conditions on Athos, and we are starting to claw our way back. Look out for the 'big red' over your shoulder," said Miles Seddon on Athos.

Ron O'Hanley's American Cookson 50, Privateer is just 16 miles behind ICAP Leopard and ahead in the Canting Keel Class, after time correction. Privateer is also second overall in IRC. However, Hap Fauth's American JV72, Bella Mente is currently leading both IRC Zero and the race for the coveted RORC Caribbean 600 Trophy. Bella Mente is absolutely smoking the rest of her class, extending by over 13 miles from her nearest rival, Jens Kellinghusen's German Ker 51, Varuna.

In IRC One Simon de Pietro's Irish Briand 76, Lilla and Colin Buffin's British Swan 62, Uxorious IV have broken away from the pack after the North Sails Mark at Barbuda. Lilla was leading the class on handicap, however Uxorious IV has now sped away to take the class lead.

A tremendous battle is raging in IRC Two, as the fleet approach the North Sails mark. Less than four miles separate the entire nine-boat fleet. Reigning Class champion, Ross Applebey's Oyster 48, Scarlet Logic co-skippered by Tim Thubron is leading by a slender margin with British Grand Soleil 43,

Quokka LLYC, nipping at Scarlet Logic's heels. However IRC Two is wide open and very competitive.

In IRC Three Jonty Layfield's British J/39, Sleeper holds the advantage and a tremendous battle is developing between two vintage Swans behind them, Adrian Lower's British Swan 44, Selene is only half a mile astern of Valerio Bardi's Italian Swan 46, Milanto. However Selene is ahead after time correction.

As the fleet prepare for their first night at sea, the yachts will be enjoying a stunning downwind sleigh ride which they were hoping to experience in the Caribbean. There will be some respite to recover tired limbs as they reach from Nevis to Saba in the flat water behind St Kitts before an energy sapping tough beat up to St Barths.

Pick of the Blogs from the boats:
"Phaedo, Gunboat 66: Drama right on the start line as our 1st reef pulled away from the indexsail with 10 seconds to go. A wet and bumpy ride up to Green Island before bearing away and un-leashing our fractional reaching sail to spend a lot of time doing 20+ knots en-route to the Barbuda mark. We're currently heading down-wind towards Nevis hopefully clawing back some miles against Paradox with some great VMG and bonus hump-back whale breaches off to starboard, as we close in on Nevis."

During the race, there will be daily news stories, images and video updates from the fleet. All of the yachts are fitted with Yellowbrick trackers and competitors are encouraged to send blogs and images from the yachts, which will also appear on the website.

BLAST OFF!

A flash of smoke, high above the 'Pillars of Hercules' announced the start of the 5th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600. Before the start 25 knots of trade winds, gusting close to 30, provided feisty conditions. 53 yachts blasted into action, crashing to windward through the surf in the starting area. The international fleet, with crews from 31 nations, set off for the 600-mile race threading through 11 stunning Caribbean islands and the forecast strong winds promises a wild and memorable ride.

Start of IRC Zero and Canting Keel RORC Caribbean 600
Credit: Tim Wright/Photoaction.com

"This is going to be a fast and fairly tough race," commented RORC CEO, Eddie Warden Owen, prior to the start. "All the teams are aware of the forecast and they know it is going to be breezy and how they handle those conditions will have a big impact on their performance. They will be excited but also apprehensive about the conditions. However, watching the start I have to say it was stunning, sunshine, beautiful warm water, they are all going to have a fantastic race."

First to go were the multihulls. Peter Aschenbrenner's ballistic trimaran, Paradox,chose to start on port and had to dip Austin Hearst's Gunboat 66, Slim. Meanwhile Lloyd Thornburg's Gunboat 66, Phaedo, looked to have a indexsail issue with the crew battling to gain control in 25 knots of brisk trade winds. Phaedo fell behind but quickly rectified the problem and took chase.

The second start had 22 yachts barrelling towards the start line. Joseph Mele's American Swan 44, Triple Lindy, got a cracking start but the bigger yachts soon passed them, notably Christian Reynolds' Swan 53, Northern Child, who went inshore to benefit from a great lift back out to lead on the beat.

Next to go were the Class40s and CSA. Peter Harding's British Class40, 40 Degrees, was over eager and was OCS and had to return to the start line. Christof Petter's Austrian Class40, Vaquita, got away to a flyer at the pin end but Marc Lepesqueux's Sensation headed inshore and tacked back to cross in front of Vaquita. The Class40s are very close in speed and have a great battle in store.

The penultimate start for the Class Zero and Canting Keel was delayed due to the race committee elected to relay the line, which was carried out with great precision.

Mike Slade's Maxi, ICAP Leopard and Hap Fauth's, Mini-maxi Bella Mente got away well, but Leopard's prowess upwind was a telling factor as they rolled Bella Mente to leeward. heading perilously close to the rocky cliffs, Bella Mente tacked first, releasing Leopard, who tacked right on their line. Dramatic to say the least but more drama was to come. Close behind the 100ft Maxi Liara was dismasted. The crew, all safe and well, motored Liara back to the dock.

Last to go where the Superyachts; Filip Balcaen's 112 ft Baltic, Nilaya was dwarfed by two mighty schooners, Athos and Adela. Nilaya had the line to herself, as Athos and Adela powered to windward on opposite tacks. They made a dramatic backdrop crashing through the waves as they made their way upwind to the turning point at Green Island off the Eastern end of Antigua with Adela crossing ahead of Athos to lead the private battle.

During the race, there will be daily news stories, images and video updates from the fleet. All of the yachts are fitted with Yellowbrick trackers and competitors are encouraged to send blogs and images from the yachts, which will also appear on the website.
For more information go to the RORC mini site: www.caribbean600.rorc.org

Ker 51, Varuna Tim Wright/Photoaction.com Mike Slade at the helm of ICAP Leopard, Farr 100 Credit: Tim Wright/Photoaction.com Superyachts Athos and Adela Credit: Tim Wright/Photoaction.com Lloyd Thornburg's Gunboat 66, Phaedo - Credit: Tim Wright/Photoaction.com Quokka chartered by Lloyd's of London Yacht Club Credit: Tim Wright/Photoaction.com The majestic schooner, Athos Credit: Tim Wright/Photoaction.com Scarlet Logic, Oyster 48 Credit: Tim Wright - Photoaction.com Peter Aschenbrenner's 63ft trimaran, Paradox Credit: Ocean Images
ENDS/....
Event Press | RORC | 20 St James's Place | London | SW1A 1NN | United Kingdom