RORC CARIBBEAN 600

NEWS AND SPECIALS

Back to RORC Caribbean 600

RORC CARIBBEAN 600: BIGGER THAN BEN HUR
Monday 19th February 2018

The 10th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600 is likely to be the fastest and possibly toughest race in the ten year history of the Caribbean 600-mile classic. Over 20 knots is predicted for the first three days, with gusts in excess of 30 knots. A moderate to rough sea state is also forecast, which will add to the exhilarating conditions. The tenth birthday for the awe-inspiring race is set to be bigger than Ben Hur.


Exhilarating conditions are predicted for the first few days of the RORC Caribbean 600 starting from Antigua on
Monday 19th February © RORC/Tim Wright Photoaction.com

A briefing for skippers and navigators was held two days before the start at the Antigua Yacht Club, where around two hundred sailors - including the glitterati of the sport sailing - were in attendance. The RORC Racing Manager Chris Stone highlighted references to World Sailing Special Regulations, as well as details of the RORC Prescriptions for the use of harnesses and lifejackets. With a record fleet, competitors were also reminded to stay clear of the starting area until their scheduled start. For spectator boats an exclusion zone has been created.

At the briefing, a weather update was presented by world class navigator Wouter Verbraak, Head of Sevenstar Racing Yacht Logistics. He confirmed that weather models predict that the first three days of the race will see strong trade winds:

"Strong high pressure over the North West Atlantic is squeezing the trade winds and accelerating the wind speed," explained Verbraak. "We could see 22-26 knots of gradient winds for three days with a slight decrease forecast on Thursday 22nd February. Competitors should be aware of the potential for squall activity during the race. On Monday evening, squalls could bring 30 knots of wind down to the surface. A significant wave height is predicted with two metres at the start of the race, building to three metres by Wednesday."
 
Steve Hayles, navigator on George Sakellaris' Maxi 72 Proteus commented after the Skippers Briefing:

"Wouter is spot-on, especially about the squall activity. Understanding what is going on in the upper level of cloud around 850 metres is going to be very important in this race. On a boat like Proteus we are fast enough to have more options, but on some of the other boats they will not have that advantage to avoid the squalls. So my advice is keep a good look out for cloud activity and be ready, especially first thing in the morning and late in the afternoon."


A packed Skippers Briefing before the start of the race on Monday with Chris Stone, RORC Racing Manager
© Tim Wright/Photoaction.com

Following the race briefing, the RORC Caribbean 600 Welcome Party took place at Antigua Yacht Club. Special guests included the Governor General, His Excellency Sir Rodney Williams and Lady Williams, and representing the Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority was Operations Manager Ms Donyelle Bird-Browne.

At the welcome party Eddie Warden Owen, RORC Chief Executive Officer introduced RORC Commodore Steven Anderson who will be competing in the race for the first time in his own yacht Gemervescence. The RORC Commodore wished all the competitors a safe race, before introducing Arthur Thomas, Chairman of National Parks, who gave a warm welcome and a rousing speech to the congregation.

The flamboyant rhythm of the Panache Steel Orchestra opened the musical entertainment, while the massive crowd enjoyed a complimentary bar and food. The six piece Antiguan cover band 1761º really got the party going with top hits from the world of Reggae, Soca, Pop, R&B and Dance a bit of Rock "n" Roll!


Panache Steel Orchestra set the tone for the evening and got competitors into a party mood
© RORC/Arthur Daniel


A thousand guests enjoyed the RORC Caribbean 600 Welcome Party at Antigua Yacht Club
© RORC/Arthur Daniel


1761 band made sure that the RORC Caribbean 600 Welcome Party went with a swing © RORC/Arthur Daniel


Competitors enjoyed sushi and an array of great food and Carib beers at the RORC Caribbean 600 Welcome Party at Antigua Yacht Club © RORC/Arthur Daniel


A spectacular sunset over English and Falmouth Harbours in Antigua © RORC/Arthur Daniel

The RORC Caribbean 600 starts on Monday 19th February. To follow the race and keep up to date with all the latest news go to:-

Website: For more information and to follow the race, please go to: http://caribbean600.rorc.org

Tracker: http://caribbean600.rorc.org/Race-Information/Tracking/
 
Virtual race: http://click.virtualregatta.com/?li=4865

Social media:

Twitter: Follow @rorcracing  - Hashtag: #Caribbean600 #rorcrc600
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rorcracing/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RoyalOceanRacingClub

High Resolution images for media use: http://click.virtualregatta.com/?li=4865
Login: press
Password: pressAccr
Selection image and the larger size before downloading to save.

+ A selection of images can be downloaded with this link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/XRoFKlK9RLgpwS4P2


Click here for all News and Specials for RORC Caribbean 600

 
connect with antiguanice.com
FacebookTwitterYoutubeNewsletterRSS

contact
TEL: +1 (268) 460-1799
UK TEL: +44 207 493 2248
FIND US ON: Facebook
WEBSITE: Click here

news and specials

STAN PEARSON: CO-FOUNDER OF THE RORC CARIBBEAN 600

Friday 1st March 2024
The yachting community mourns the passing of Stan Pearson: Co-Founder of the RORC Caribbean 600...
Read More

A REMARKABLE RORC CARIBBEAN 600

Friday 1st March 2024
A Remarkable RORC Caribbean: 600 Sixty-four boats took on the challenge, with 561 sailors from all o...
Read More

YOUNGSTERS VISIT LIMOSA, THE FAMOUS PROJECT

Monday 26th February 2024
Youngsters form Antigua Yacht Club were invited to Visit Limosa, The Famous Project ...
Read More

LEOPARD OVERALL WINNER OF RORC

Thursday 22nd February 2024
The Royal Ocean Racing Club has announced that the Farr 100 Leopard 3 (MON), skippered by Joost Schu...
Read More

RORC DAY THREE

Wednesday 21st February 2024
Keep up with the fleet with Day Three RIRC Caribbean report ...
Read More

All News Stories and Specials


photo gallery
To view more photos of Rambler 100 Winds RORC Caribbean 600 click here View Image Gallery
To view more photos of 2011 RORC Caribbean 600 click here View Image Gallery
To view more photos of RORC Caribbean 600 click here View Image Gallery

video

Video by acquafilms on Vimeo.

2011 RORC Caribbean 600 race - Day 1 highlights

Video by acquafilms on Vimeo.