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RORC CARIBBEAN 600 - Start: Monday 18 February 2013, Antigua
http://caribbean600.rorc.org - Übersicht
ROYAL OCEAN RACING CLUB
20 ST JAMES'S PLACE, LONDON SW1A 1NN
NEWSFLASH: Wednesday 20 February 2013
A TOUGH DAY IN PARADISE:
Louay Habib
0700 (local time) Day Three RORC Caribbean 600
Just before dawn, Peter Aschenbrenner's American 63ft Trimaran, Paradox powered
through the finish line to complete the 600-mile course in less than two days. Conditions
have been fresh to frightening right from the start and there has been no let up
for over 500 sailors battling through exciting yet tough conditions. Next to finish
will be Mike Slade's British maxi, ICAP Leopard to claim Monohull Line Honours,
however ICAP Leopard experienced a slow passage to the south of Guadeloupe, preventing
the team from getting near the course record.
Any notion that the RORC Caribbean 600 is a jolly around the Caribbean has been
totally dispelled. Warm conditions and spectacular surroundings apart, racing 600
miles in big conditions is taking its toll. Eight yachts have now retired from the
race leaving 44 yachts still racing. The majority will not finish for at least another
24 hours if not more.
This year, Guadeloupe Grand Large has entered three Figaro IIs for the race. At
33ft in length and crewed by just four sailors, the Figaro Class can be considered
the 'coal face' of short handed sailing for the RORC Caribbean 600.
Skippered by young sailors from Guadeloupe, the teams are taking their first steps
towards high aspirations. Two of the Figaros are having a tremendous battle out
on the water. At 0700, Arthur Prat and Baptiste Maillot had been virtually sailing
side by side for 350 miles and were approaching Guadeloupe. No doubt their local
knowledge will give them good speed around their homeland.
The long leg from St Marten down to Guadeloupe has provided joy for some and pain
for others as the yachts negotiate through the leeward side of the high mountains
on the west side of the island. Hap Fauth's American JV72, Bella Mente approached
Guadeloupe yesterday afternoon and compared to their rapid transit down from St.Barths,
the race favourites virtually came to a grinding halt.
As Bella Mente struggled for speed, as Filip Balcaen's magnificent Belgian Baltic
112, Nilaya came barrelling down the track closing fast. Nilaya made up an astonishing
40 miles in just a few hours to challenge Bella Mente for the overall lead. Nilaya's
cunning move has meant the Belgian yacht is now winning the Superyacht class.
Ron O'Hanley's American Cookson 50, Privateer also caught up and at one stage, Privateer
was back on top of the overall leaderboard. However at 0700, Bella Mente had regained
the overall lead, with Nilaya and Privateer needing to make up about three hours
to prevent Bella Mente taking the RORC Caribbean 600 Trophy.
In IRC One Simon de Pietro's Irish Briand 76, Lilla continues to impress and has
now opened up an 8-mile gap on the water to lead the class and has a three hour
handicap cushion, but there is still nearly 400 miles to the finish.
Andy Middleton's British Beneteau 47.7, EHO1 have found another gear, showing great
pace on the tight reach to Guadeloupe to move up to second in class. Colin Buffin's
British Swan 62, Uxorious IV has dropped to third in class, but their extra water-line
length should see the British Swan move back up the leaderboard on the reach to
the North Sails mark at Barbuda.
In IRC Two at 0700, the entire class were enjoying the tight reach south to Guadeloupe
and waterline length has played a big factor on this leg. The Oyster 48 Scarlet
Logic, co-skippered by Ross Applebey and Tim Thubron still have the lead in class
and on the water and Scarlet Logic is two hours ahead on corrected time. Christian
Reynolds' British Swan 53, Northern Child and Joseph Mele's American Swan 44, Triple
Lindy both had a great night sail and move up to second and third respectively on
corrected time. However, with lighter winds expected around the south side of Guadeloupe,
Philippe Falle's, British Grand Soleil 43, Quokka LLYC will be looking to catch
their heavy displacement rivals.
In IRC Three, Jonty Layfield's, British J39, Sleeper still lead the class, but Valerio
Bardi's Italian Swan 46, Milanto has closed the gap significantly. Adrian Lower's
British Swan 44, Selene made the bold move of leaving Montserrat to Port, to take
up an offshore approach to Guadeloupe. For now Selene has dropped like a stone on
the leaderboard but the move may well pay off later for the British team.
ENDS/...
Credit: Athos/Miles Seddon
ENDS/....
Event Press | RORC | 20 St James's Place | London | SW1A 1NN | United Kingdom
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