RORC CARIBBEAN 600

The Royal Ocean Racing Club’s Antigua 360 Race, organised with the Antigua Yacht Club, started on time from Fort Charlotte as the final climax of the 2025 RORC Nelson’s Cup Series. 35 teams from 16 countries battled it out in a 48nm showdown around Antigua.

With a steady 15-knot southeasterly breeze and a moderate sea state, the stage was set for a spectacular, high-octane contest; the perfect prequel to the 600nm RORC Caribbean 600 which starts on Monday 24 February.

Niklas Zennstrom’s Carkeek 52 Rán won the Antigua 360 Race overall after IRC time correction, maintaining Team Rán’s perfect score to also win the RORC Nelson’s Cup Series.

“For the Antigua 360 Race we got our noses ahead from the start and managed to stay ahead,” commented Rán Project Manager Tim Powell. “We sailed very well tactically and pulled off clean manoeuvres. We have done this race a few times now so we have a good idea of what to expect, but the back and the front of the boat did a very good job and we kept the boat speed up.”

Congratulations to all of the Class winners for the Antigua 360 Race including Wendy Schmidt’s Botin 85 Deep Blue, Bob Manchester’s J/133 Vamoose and Tom Kassberg’s ORC 50 Malolo.

IRC Super Zero

Wendy Schmidt’s Botin 85 Deep Blue won by two and a half minutes after IRC time correction in a rip-roaring race with seven of the nine maxis gunning for glory. Runner-up for the IRC Super Zero Class was Andrea Recordati’s Wally 93 Bullitt, third was Mills 72 Balthasar with Filip Balcaen at the helm. In the mix, but off the IRC podium were the two Wallycentos ‘V’ and Galateia, and the Juan K 88 Lucky. Farr 100 Leopard 3 was just four seconds behind Galateia after IRC time correction.



“We struggled at the start against bigger boats but hoisted a Code Zero at Green Island, staying just off the reef,” said Deep Blue tactician Dave Armitage. “We took more sails than some maxis, nailed our waypoints and gained ground downwind. A few good shifts on the leeward side and staying in the old breeze near Cades Reef helped. Upwind, we knew we’d be on table scraps, but our early gains kept us ahead.” Dave Armitage was complimentary about the Race Management for the RORC Nelson’s Cup Series. “This is our second regatta and both have been extremely well organised, and Antigua is a wonderful place to race. I am sure Deep Blue will be back again.”

IRC One

Niklas Zennstrom’s Carkeek 52 Rán was class winner for the Antigua 360 Race. Frederic Puzin’s Carkeek 54 Daguet 5 crossed the line less than two minutes after Rán to take the race runner-up. Jon Desmond’s PAC 52 Final Final corrected out to take third. The podium for IRC One matched the overall podium.

IRC Two

Bob Manchester’s J/133 Vamoose won IRC Two by just over three minutes from Jim Voss’ RP37 Warthog. Skippered by Jules Mitchell, the young Antiguans on Warthog took class line honours for the race around their island and won the CSA Division. Third after IRC time correction was Philippe Frantz’s NM43 Albator.

Bob Manchester is the oldest sailor competing in the forthcoming RORC Caribbean 600 and today’s big competition was with the young sailors on Warthog. The two will cross wakes again in the 600-mile offshore. “The Antigua 360 Race helps us get ready and organised for the Caribbean 600. It’s fun to go around the island because it is such a beautiful place with great water,” commented Manchester. “This is a great sport, it is great to be on a team where you learn and challenge yourself. You learn about being independent but also part of a team.”

Tom Kassberg’s ORC 50 Malolo zipped around Antigua in an elapsed time of just over six hours to take multihull line honours and the class win after MOCRA time correction. Guy Chester’s Crowther 46 Oceans Tribute was second, with Thierry Roger’s Echo II Perros-Guirec taking third.

“This is a wonderful place to sail; it is my first time in Antigua,” commented Malolo’s Tom Kassberg who is from Portland, Oregon. “This has been an amazing day and a great warm-up for the Caribbean 600, but we hope to do the Antigua 360 again. It has been totally awesome.”

The RORC Nelson’s Cup Series came to a close with an awards ceremony at the Antigua Yacht Club. RORC Racing Manager Steve Cole introduced the winners to the stage to be presented their awards by RORC Commodore Deb Fish.

Overall results for the RORC Nelson’s Cup Series can be found on the RORC Caribbean 600 website