Sunset over Antigua. Image copyright Tim Wright/PhotoAction.com
by Louay Habib
Day 4: The RORC Caribbean 600 has been a special event for all of the competitors. Last night the closest battle in any class was decided and the two remaining yachts racing showed great fighting spirit. This provided a fitting finale to racing in the beautiful, but sometimes brutal waters of the central Caribbean.
Late yesterday evening, the Army Sailing Association’s A40, British Soldier crossed the finish line. The team largely consists of British soldiers on leave from active duty in Afghanistan, but not entirely. Two of the crew were from the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force and had no offshore sailing experience. The Antiguans put there hands up for the trip and were shown the ropes by some of the more experienced members of the crew. British Soldier had a blistering start to the race and sailed intelligently around the track to claim a well deserved win in Class Two, showing dedication to duty, but also allowing the soldiers a relaxing shakedown from their vital role.
British Soldier had a cracking race but by the end they were fighting off a rear guard action from Christian Reynolds Swan 51, Northern Child. Christian charters his pride and joy at sailing regattas all over the world: “Northern Child is all about the experience of sailing and enjoying time away from the stress of life. We were a little deflated at the end losing out by so little, but I think I can speak for all of the crew by saying that this has been a thought-provoking adventure not to be missed,” commented Christian Reynolds.
There was another great tussle between several yachts finishing in Class One. Andy Middleton’s First 47.7 EH01 claimed second overall in class with Richard Balding’s Swan 60, Fenix third. Philippe Falle’s First 50, Hydrocarbon Logic and Ondeck’s Farr 65, Spirit of Minerva also finished this lively race which was a great achievement.
First 40.7s Spirit of Athena skippered by AYC (Antigua Yacht Club) and RORC member John Duffy and Coyote skippered by RORC member Peter Hopps, finished the RORC Caribbean 600 on Friday afternoon, wrapping up a fantastic event. Coyote were the last boat to cross the line but beat Athena on handicap. The two boats had been locked in a private battle all the way around the course. Not everybody gets to race a ballistic maxi, but there are many races within the event, which are just as important. The two production yachts had their own private gentleman’s duel from start to finish.
The third edition of the RORC Caribbean 600 could be described as a ‘coming of age’ of a new offshore racing classic. Already interest is pouring in from future competitors. The race around 11 Caribbean islands provides some of the most spectacular racing conditions and scenery anywhere else in the world. It has attracted a huge variety of yachts and competitors and there is almost unanimous agreement, the RORC Caribbean 600 is a tough race with big wind and waves. It is exciting and a joy to experience.
Tonight all of the competitors will be joined by the race management team and dedicated volunteers from the Antigua Yacht Club at the closing party. Rock band, Itchy Feet will play out the event after winners collect there prizes, not everyone will end up on the podium but anybody involved with the RORC Caribbean 600 can rightly feel a sense of pride, this race has most definitely come of age.
PROVISIONAL RESULTS RORC CARIBBEAN 600 2011:
Full results for all classes can be found at: http://caribbean600.rorc.org/blog/race-information/results/index.html
IRC OVERALL
Sail No. BoatType Owner Elapsed Handicap Corrected
1 USA25555 Rambler 100 JK 100 George David 1 - 16:20:02 1.865 3 - 03:13:22
2 CAN84248 Vela Veloce Southern Cross 52 Richard Oland 2 - 08:47:46 1.376 3 - 06:09:05
3 GBR115L Sojana Farr 115 Peter Harrison 2 - 05:19:53 1.538 3 - 10:01:25
4 AUS5299 Jazz Cookson 50 Chris Bull 2 - 12:27:03 1.359 3 - 10:09:10
5 GBR1R ICAP Leopard Farr 100 Mike Slade 1 - 21:17:1 1.820 3 - 10:25:26
IRC CANTING KEEL:
1. USA25555, Rambler 100, JK 100, George David
2. AUS5299, Jazz, Cookson 50, Chris Bull
3. GBR1R, ICAP Leopard, Farr 100, Mike Slade
IRC ZERO:
1. CAN84248, Vela Veloce, Southern Cross 52, Richard Oland
2. GBR115, Sojana, Farr 115, Peter Harrison
3. GBR22N, Aegir, Carbon Ocean 82, Brian Benjamin
IRC ONE:
1. NED46, Tonnerre de Breskens 3, Ker 46,Piet Vroon
2. GBR4778R, EH01, First 47.7, Global Yacht Racing, Andy Middleton
3. GBR9660R, Fenix, Swan 60, Richard Balding
4. GBR50L, Hydrocarbon Logic, First 5, Sailing Logic Ltd, Philippe Falle
IRC TWO:
1. GBR1429L, British Soldier, A 40Army Sailing Association, Nick Bate
2. GBR5951T, Northern Child, Swan 51, Christian Reynolds
3. GBR9042T, Coyote, First 40.7, Peter Hopps
CLASS 40:
1. GBR93, Concise 2, Class 40, Tony Lawson/Ned Collier Wakefield
2. FRA99, Fitz, Class 40, David Ducosson
CSA OVERALL:
1. USA25555 Rambler 100 George David
2. CAN84248 Vela Veloce Richard Oland
3. IRL5005 Lee Overlay Partners Adrian Lee
3. GBR115L Sojana Peter Harrison
5. GBR1R ICAP Leopard Mike Slade
MOCRA MULTIHULL:
1. 399BC, Phaedo, Gunboat 66, Lloyd Thurnborg
2. GBR737741, Wondeful, Yapluka 70, Wonderful Yacht Holdings Ltd, Warren East
RORC Caribbean 600
