RORC Caribbean 600 Underway
by Louay Habib / RORC 24 Feb 16:45 PST
24 February 2025
The highly anticipated 16th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600 blasted off from Fort Charlotte, Antigua, right on schedule. All five starts went off flawlessly as the diverse fleet of 66 international entries launched into the ultimate offshore tropical challenge, an exhilarating race weaving through 11 stunning Caribbean islands.
With the trade winds pumping over 16 knots from just south of east and gusting up to 20 knots, the stage was set for a spectacular showdown in paradise.
First away was IRC Two with several boats making a great start. Ross Applebey, skipper of Elan 450 Team Scarlet on Emily was closest to the line at the pin end. Also, Cox & Dunlop's Mojito started well, also Bluejay of Portsmouth, skippered by Boorman & van der Zuden. The IRC One start featured good getaways from Bob Manchester's Vamoose, Warthog skippered by Jules Mitchell, and Spirit of Helsinki, skippered by Jouko Kallio.
In the IRC Zero, competition for room at the line produced super fine margins. Three abreast through the line were Jon Desmond's Final Final, Niklas Zennstrom's Rán and Jean Philippe Blanpain's Leaps and Bounds 2. James Neville's Ino Noir took a line inshore and under the leading three boats. All four boats both took their line right under the cliffs for breeze bend and acceleration, giving the throngs of spectators an exciting spectacle.
The IRC Super Zero start was just as competitive as the previous. Balthasar with Louis Balcean at the helm, just held off Christian Zugel's Tschuss 2 to windward. Andrea Recordati's Bullitt put the bow down to leeward of Balthasar and was going like a train. All three were heading right into the cliffs. Tschuss 2 was the first to tack, ducking Bryon Ehrhardt's Lucky and Leopard 3 with Joost Schuijff at the helm. Unfortunately, just a few hours into the race, Andrea Recordati's Bullitt has retired with an engine issue. All crew are safe and well.
The Multihulls brought the RORC Caribbean 600 starting schedule to a conclusion. Eight multihulls chose to line up at the pin end to reach down the line on starboard prior to the gun. Guy Chester's Oceans Tribute pulled off the best start of the pack. However, Marc Guillemot's Wellness Training started on port, the only boat in the entire starting sequence to do so. The port-flyer worked a charm as Wellness Training crossed the entire multihull fleet to score first bragging rights.
At 14:30 AST on the first day of the race, Bryon Ehrhardt's Juan K 88 Lucky had rounded the mark at Barbuda and was leading on the water, four miles ahead of Roy P Disney's Pyewacket 70 and Leopard 3. All three boats are recording speeds of over 20 knots on a screaming reach towards Nevis, no doubt with a torrent of white water washing down the deck.
Duncan Gladman's Ocean 50 Malolo was leading the Multihull fleet on the water less than a mile ahead of Guillemot's Wellness Training. Tavio & Nordstrom's Ocean 50 Calamity was four miles behind in third.
Analysing the IRC ranking this early in the race is too early. However class leaders on the water are Lucky, Daguet 5, Alister Richardson's Class 40 Tquila, Team Scarlet on Emily and Rodolphe Sepho's Class 40 Reve de Lare 5.
Follow the RORC Caribbean 600 via the official website for the latest pictures and videos of the action including the competitors' live blog. All of the boats can be tracked via the race player. www.caribbean600.rorc.org.
For more stunning pictures from the start of the 2025 RORc Caribbean 600 visit the gallery here.