RORC CARIBBEAN 600

The crew celebrating on board Brian Benjamin's previous racing yacht, Aegir.

“The RORC Caribbean 600 is a spectacular race course, it is just the kind of racing I want to do:  beautiful scenery, a wonderful race track and great company, it just ticks every box.”  Those are the feelings of Brian Benjamin about the RORC Caribbean 600 race.

The RORC Caribbean 600 will be the first race for Brian Benjamin’s latest magnificent racing yacht, Carbon 82, Aegir II, and he is understandably excited about the prospect.  Benjamin has put together a stellar race crew for the new boat honed on board his previous yacht. The international crew proved their mettle, winning class at the Rolex Maxi Yacht Cup in September.

"A Beauty and a beast,” Brian Benjamin comments in reference to Aegir II. “An enormous amount of time and effort has gone into refining Aegir II to deliver immense power and performance but also a yacht that can be cruised in style. Simon Rogers has delivered a magnificent design and Carbon Ocean Yachts have been meticulous in the build programme. Aegir II is state of the art, incorporating the latest in construction techniques from the top of the rig, to the tip of the keel, a real powerhouse. But I like to cruise in style, as well as race.  Probably as much thought has gone into the interior as anywhere else.

“I am delighted to say that the yacht's first duty will be as a wedding carriage for my daughter's honeymoon. The first time Aegir II will be raced will be in February, competing in the RORC Caribbean 600. I can't wait to put her through her paces, on a race course that will really show her true potential."

Constructed entirely from pre-preg carbon utilising the latest aerospace technologies, in race-mode Aegir II is designed to have a racing displacement of 32 tonnes and VPP analysis suggests an upwind speed of 10.5 knots and capable of 20 knots downwind.  The Carbon 82 has elegant lines but the three-spreader carbon rig, towering 35 metres above the deck will provide some serious horsepower. The masthead asymmetric kite is a whopping 650 square metres.

Antigua will be have the privilege of hosting Aegir II for her racing debut during the RORC Caribbean 600 in February 2011.

Article and photo by Louay Habib.