(English Harbour, Antigua)- The sixth edition of the RORC Caribbean 600
may be proving irresistible to yacht racing teams from all over the
world as they head to the starting line on Monday, February 24th. With
65 entries, a record entry for this “young” event, the fleet has an
excellent combination of characters and deeply talented sailors
partaking in what may become one of the “new” classics of offshore
sailing. Amongst the fleet of boats flying the flags from at least eleven different countries are 374 meters of J/Boats that will be sailing against some of the worlds best super-yachts, Mini-Maxis, and good Lord knows what else, all crewed by passionate amateurs and world-famous sailors.
The
northern hemisphere is currently experiencing some of the worst winter
weather on record but well over 500 sailors are rubbing their hands
together, relishing the prospect of racing around 11 Caribbean islands
against highly competitive opposition.The Caribbean is, without doubt, one of yacht racing's most exhilarating playgrounds as warm trade winds and Caribbean swell provide superb sailing conditions. The RORC Caribbean 600 course, starting and finishing in Antigua, is designed to provide a challenging, high speed racetrack and its popularity has grown, year on year, since 2009. And, three J/Teams are ready to “throw down the gauntlet” and enjoy sailing around one of the most gorgeous race-tracks on the planet. Can’t beat taking in some of the world’s most poshest “play-pens” as marks of the course!
Leading
the assault on division and overall honors may be Chris Dowling’s J/145
ACE, she was last seen taking silverware with designer Rod Johnstone
aboard during the PalmaVela Regatta in Palma Mallorca, Spain a few years
back.
While
she may have changed hands from that famous gang from Miami, the J/120
EL OCASO is going to be sailed by the “600nm Club” which, as mysterious
as they wish to be, will be unveiled soon! They are a crew not to be
short-changed at Ladbroke’s Betting Parlour on this race. Finally, the proverbial “sleeper” in this race could easily be the highly regarded French team of women sailors led by the avant-garde captain, Sophie Olivaud, on her J/109 ALBACOR IV. As a double-handed team, Sophie has won numerous offshore contests in France and the Caribbean and she’s determined to demonstrate her crew are up to the task of “the 600”, too! For more RORC Caribbean 600 Race sailing information
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