RORC CARIBBEAN 600 SET TO GO ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20 Sunday 12th February 2012
Photo by Tim Wright/www.photoaction.com
The RORC Caribbean 600 is set to begin on Monday, February 20. With 40 yachts entered, ranging from Racing Maxis to Superyachts, Class 40s and Classics, it promises to be the most exciting RORC Caribbean 600 event to date.
The average boat length is approximately 70 feet and crews will include everything from internationally-known professional sailors to local Antiguan die hards. Crews known so far to be participating in this year's event will come from 32 different countries including: Antigua, Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Cayman Islands, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Guadeloupe, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Puerto Rico, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, St. Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey, the United States and the US Virgin Islands.
The largest yacht entered to date is the 214-foot Hetairos, the world's largest carbon composite sailing yacht. There will be 29 crew on board including seasoned pros form the American's Cup, the Volvo Ocean Race and the Jules Verne Around the World Race. The smallest yacht entered is Bernie Evan-Wong's Mumm 36, High Tension. Bernie hopes to be more successful this year than last when he lost his mast and had to retire early.
The 600 nautical mile course circumnavigates 11 Caribbean islands. It starts below Fort Charlotte outside English Harbour, Antigua, then goes as far north as St Martin and as far south as Guadeloupe taking in Barbuda, Nevis, St Kitts, Saba and St Barth's along the way. The finish line is outside English Harbour, Antigua.
The event is organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) and is hosted by Antigua Yacht Club. All boats will be fitted with trackers and spectators will be able to follow the race online at the event's website: http://caribbean600.rorc.org/blog/race-information/tracking/index.html.
Past winners of the RORC Caribbean 600 Trophy for the IRC Class overall include: George David with Rambler 100 in 2011, Karl Kwok with Beau Geste, a Farr 80, in 2010 and Adrian Lee with Lee Overlay Partners, a Cookson 50, in 2009.
Records currently held are as follows:
The multihull record holder is Region Guadeloupe in 40 hours 11 minutes 5 seconds (2009).
The monohull record is held by Rambler 100 in 40 hours 20 minutes 02 seconds (2011).
Official Supporters include:
Antigua & Barbuda - http://www.antigua-barbuda.org
Antigua Yacht Club Marina - http://www.aycmarina.com/
North Sails - http://www.caribbean.northsails.com/
The Inn at English Harbour - http://www.aycmarina.com/
Hot hot hot spot! - http://www.hothothotspot.com/
Carib Beer - http://www.caribbeer.com/
Antigua & Barbuda Search & Rescue - http://www.absar.org/
Trish Jenkins
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