Posted in News 2019

Seventy-eight yachts have entered the eleventh edition of the RORC Caribbean 600, where in excess of 700 sailors from six continents and yachts from over 20 nations will compete in the thrilling race around 11 Caribbean islands starting on Monday 18th February.

Winners from the Olympic Games, America’s Cup, Volvo Ocean Race and multiple world champions have gathered in Antigua and will be competing alongside passionate corinthian sailors, both young and old.

Ten multihulls will be racing, boasting phenomenal talent among the crews. Jason Carroll (USA) will be racing MOD70 Argo with Francois Gabart, winner of the 2012-13 Vendée Globe, and Jules Verne winner Brian Thompson (GBR). Giovanni Soldini’s (ITA) Multi70 Maserati has been in fine form taking line honours in the Rolex Middle Sea Race and the RORC Transatlantic Race. The 2019 RORC Caribbean 600 is the first time that Maserati and Argo have lined up. If the conditions are right, both teams are capable of eclipsing the Multihull Race Record set by Lloyd Thornburg’s Phaedo3 in 2016 (31 hours, 59 minutes, 04 seconds).

Shannon Falcone (ANT), a two-time winner of the America’s Cup is racing his foiling F4 catamaran Falcon, and back after last year’s capsize is Greg Synstad’s Fujin (USA) with America’s Cup winner Peter Isler and Olympic Gold medallist Jonathan McKee on board. Two American Gunboats are likely to have a close battle; John Gallagher’s Gunboat 62 Chim Chim and the Gunboat 60 Arethusa of Phil Lotz; the latter having the combined talents of Paul Larsen (AUS) and Jeff Mearing (GBR) on board.

IRC Zero is the largest class competing this year with 15 teams. The quest for Monohull Line Honours is wide open. A trio of Maxi72s are likely contenders to be first home and to win the race overall. Hap Fauth, two-time winner of the RORC Caribbean 600 (2015 and 2017) is racing the brand new Bella Mente (USA) with a stellar crew including; Terry Hutchinson (USA) skipper for American Magic in the 36th America’s Cup. The formidable afterguard includes two-time Volvo Ocean Race winning skipper, Mike Sanderson (NZL), three-time round the world winner Brad Jackson, and Adrian Stead (GBR) who has been on winning teams for the ‘600 more than any other sailor.

George Sakellaris (USA) racing Maxi 72 Proteus in his fifth RORC Caribbean 600 has also won overall on two previous occasions (2014 and 2016). Proteus’ crew includes Curtis Blewett (CAN) an America’s Cup and round the world race winner, plus multiple Star Sailors League winner Mark Mendelblatt (USA), Volvo Ocean Race winner Dirk De Ridder (NED), and multiple world champion Andy Hemmings (GBR).

Peter Harrison’s British Maxi 72 Sorcha will be lining up for the first time this season against the other Maxis and it will also be their first time in the race. The crew includes numerous past winners of the RORC Caribbean 600: Willy Beavis (GBR), Mo Gray (GBR), Steve Hayles (GBR), Andy Meiklejohn (NZL), Tim Powell (GBR), Freddy Shanks (GBR) and Niklas Zennstrom (SWE).

David and Peter Askew (USA) racing Volvo 70 Wizard will be skippered by Charlie Enright (USA) and three past winners of the Volvo Ocean Race: Simon Fisher (GBR), Phil Harmer (AUS) and Daryl Wislang (NZL).

The two largest yachts in the race; JV 115 Nikata and Will Apold’s Canadian Southern Wind 96 Sorceress will be hoping for full-on conditions. Nikata and Sorceress are expected to have a magnificent superyacht battle around the 600-mile course.

Shannon Falconne’s F4 Falcon is one of 10 multihulls in the race © Amory Ross

A trio of Maxis includes Peter Harrison’s British Maxi 72 Sorcha © https://www.facebook.com/sorchatp52/

JV115 Nikata is the largest yacht in the fleet © Rolex/Kurt Arrigo

Franco Niggeler’s Kuka3 won the 2018 RORC Transatlantic Race © Arthur Daniel

British yacht Tala is vying to be the first TP52 to win the RORC Caribbean 600 Trophy. The relative minnows of IRC Zero include several yachts 50ft or less. Cookson 50s have won the race overall on two occasions and this year two will be battling for glory: Joseph Mele’s American Triple Lindy and Franco Niggeler’s Swiss Kuka 3, skippered by Volvo Ocean Race winner Chuny Bermudez (ESP). Carkeek 47 White Rhino 2, owned by Stuart Todd (USA) and British-based Ker 46 Lady Mariposa, sailed by Nigel King (GBR) are the smallest yachts in the big boat class.

The RORC Caribbean 600 is part of the Class40 2019 Championship and a record 10 pocket rockets will be on the start line. Catherine Pourre’s Eärendil set the race record last year (2 days 13 hours and 15 seconds) and Louis Burton’s BHB was runner-up in 2018. Three stand-out new French entrants are: Luke Berry’s Lamotte – Module Création, third in the 2018 Class40 Championship, Aïna Enfance Et Avenir, skippered by Aymeric Chappellier who was runner-up in the 2017 Transat Jacques Vabre and 2018 Route du Rhum. Kito de Pavant, skipper of Made in Midi is a former Figaro winner and Vendée Globe competitor.

IRC One has entries from seven different nations; Gibb Kane’s Swan 66 Bounty (USA) is the largest yacht in the class and the crew includes round the world sailor Mike Joubert (RSA). The fastest team on IRC rating is Godspeed 52 owned by Christian Kargl (SUI). Marten 49 Summer Storm, owned by Andrew Berdon (USA) includes Stu Bannatyne (NZL) who is the only sailor to have won the Whitbread and Volvo Ocean Race four times. Two Antiguan boats will also be competing in this class: Bernie Evan-Wong will be taking charge of his RP37 Taz and competing in his 11th edition of the race as skipper, and OnDeck’s Farr 65 Spirit of Juno, skippered by Paul Jackson. Finnish hopes lie with the Swan 57 Lintu owned by Jyrki Maeki and Xp44 Xtra Staerk owned by Arto Linnervuo. Second in class last year, Giles Redpath’s Lombard 46 Pata Negra will be raced by a team from Lake Constance, Germany.

Catherine Pourre’s Eärendil set the Class40 race record in the 2018 race of 2 days 13 hours and 15 seconds © Tim Wright/Photoaction.com

Gibb Kane’s Swan 66 Bounty © Studio Borlenghi

IRC Two could be described as the clash of the British-based charter boats. Ross Applebey’s Oyster 48 Scarlet Oyster will be taking part in their 7th race, winning class on six occasions. Performance Yacht Racing based in Cowes, Isle of Wight has three entries; Grand Soleil 43s Quokka and Jua Kali, plus Beneteau First 47.7 EH01. Two Beneteau First 40s from Hamble, Hampshire will have their own private battle: Yuri Fadeev’s Optimus Prime and Sailing Logic’s Rocket Dog 2, and Pamala Baldwin (USA) racing the Antiguan-based J/122 Liquid is back in action after completing last year’s exceptionally windy race.

Three vintage Swans will be racing in IRC Three: Swan 441 Charisma will be sailed by Constantin Claviez (GER) who will be taking on two S&S Swan 48s; Isbjorn, skippered by Andy Schell (USA) and Sleeper X owned by Antiguan residents Jonty and Vicki Layfield (GBR). Also in class is Richard Oswald’s British Elan 450 Emily of Cowes and Trevor Middleton’s Sun Fast 3600 Black Sheep (GBR) who was overall runner-up in the 2018 RORC Transatlantic Race. 

Miramar Sailing’s Grand Soleil 46.3 Phoenix, skippered by Antiguan-resident Pippa Turton (GBR) will be racing with an all-women crew from five different nations.

Three teams will be racing in the Two Handed class; Hanse 430 Avanti skippered by Jeremi Jablonski (USA) will race with Marek Mirota (POL). Swan 45 Nemesis skippered by James Heald (GBR) will race with Peter Doggart (USA). The smallest yacht in the race, Olson 35 Cabbyl Vane will be crewed by two brothers from the Netherlands, Johannes and Jankorf Gerssen.

For more information and to follow the race go to: RORC Caribbean 600 minisite: http://caribbean600.rorc.org

Ross Applebey’s Oyster 48 Scarlet Oyster © Paul Wyeth

Trevor Middleton’s Sun Fast 3600 Black Sheep © Arthur Daniel

Jonty and Vicki Layland’s Swan 48 Sleeper X © Paul Wyeth

WATCH THE START ON FACEBOOK LIVE!
Live on Monday 18 February 10.50 local time (14.50 UTC)
Live coverage with commentary from Fort Charlotte, Antigua will be streamed from the official website and the Royal Ocean Racing Club Facebook Page.
https://www.facebook.com/RoyalOceanRacingClub/
#Caribbean600 

PLAY THE GAME – VIRTUAL RACE:
If you’re not on the startline in Antigua, join the virtual race. Be prepared for some sleepless nights – it’s addictive!
http://click.virtualregatta.com/?li=4865 

FOLLOW THE RACE VIA FLEET TRACKING:
http://caribbean600.rorc.org/Race-Information/Tracking/

Early entries for the 2019 RORC Caribbean 600 reveal a stunning fleet of famous professional teams taking part alongside passionate corinthian crews. Famed for spectacular sailing conditions on an intricate and mesmerizing course, the 11th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600 is set to be an absolute cracker. Two months before the start of the race 50 teams have thrown down the gauntlet; over 10% more than the same time prior to the record entry of 88 yachts in 2018. The race is a truly international affair with teams from all over the Caribbean Islands, Canada, Chile, Great Britain, Finland, France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the USA. For the first time in the history of the race, three ocean-going trimarans in the shape of Jason Carroll’s Argo, Giovanni Soldini’s Maserati and Peter Cunningham’s PowerPlay will be battling for multihull line honours and the race record, set in 2016 by Lloyd Thornburg’s Phaedo3 in 31 hours, 59 minutes, 4 seconds.    The IRC fleet racing for the overall win and the RORC Caribbean 600 Trophy, boasts three magnificent yachts; the 203ft (62m) schooner Athos, skippered by Tony Brookes, the 115ft (35m) sloop Nikata, skippered by Tom Brewer, and the 96ft (30m) sloop Sorceress, sailed by Will Apold.  Two Maxi 72s will be locking horns; previous winner George Sakellaris’ Proteus and the brand new Bella Mente sailed by Hap Fauth. American Volvo Ocean Race skipper Charlie Enright will be hoping for victory with the American Volvo 70 Wizard. In two previous editions, the race has been won overall by a Cookson 50. This year, two new teams will be hoping to increase the statistic. Franco Niggeler’s Kuka3 is on a high from their overall win in the RORC Transatlantic Race and the highly experienced team racing Triple Lindy will be led by Joseph Mele. A record entry of Class40s is also expected to compete in the race. The 2018 Route du Rhum featured 53 of these pocket rockets, bound for Antigua’s neighbour island of Guadeloupe. With another transatlantic race organised in March, 10 or more Class40 are likely to take part in the RORC Caribbean 600. Among the early entries is Catherine Pourre’s Eärendil which set a new Class40 record for the race last year (2 days 13 hours and 15 seconds).   “We are delighted to be heading back to Antigua for the 11th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600,” commented RORC Racing Manager, Chris Stone. “This coming year we are anticipating close to 100 boats from all over the world who will be coming to Antigua to enjoy the challenging racing and amazing weather. We are expecting an extremely good mix from within the fleet, seeing our smallest competitors tussling with the larger race machines for the prestigious IRC overall trophy. As usual, there will be a great welcome party and prizegiving event, plus every yacht will be met dockside with cold beers and a warm welcome from our wonderful team of volunteers.” For more information, please go to: http://caribbean600.rorc.org or contact the RORC Race Team: E: racing@rorc.org Notice of Race: http://caribbean600.rorc.org/Race-Information/2019-notice-of-race.html Entries to date: http://caribbean600.rorc.org/Entries/race-entries.html ENDS/…Louay Habib NOTES TO EDITORS MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Trish Jenkins RORC Press Officer  M: +44 (0)7880 518689 E:   trish@j2pr.co.uk Skype: trish jenkins  RACE REPORTER: Louay Habib M: +44 (0)7801 800521 E: louayhabib@gmail.com RORC Race Enquiries:Chris Stone, Racing Manager Royal Ocean Racing Club T: +44 (0) 1983 295144 E:   racing@rorc.org W:  http://www.rorc.org/ Royal Ocean Racing Club: 20 St James’s Place London SW1A 1NN Tel: 020 7493 2248 Fax: 020 7493 2470 E:  info@rorc.org   THE RORC CARIBBEAN 600: RORC Caribbean 600 minisite: http://caribbean600.rorc.org The 11th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600 starts from Antigua on Monday 18th February 2019. The 600nm course circumnavigates 11 Caribbean Islands starting from Fort Charlotte, English Harbour, Antigua and heads north as far as St Martin and south to Guadeloupe taking in Barbuda, Nevis, St Kitts, Saba and St Barth’s .  Twitter: Follow @rorcracing  – Hashtag: #Caribbean600 #rorcrc600 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rorcracing/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RoyalOceanRacingClub RESULTS: RORC CARIBBEAN 600 TROPHY – IRC OVERALL  (Best corrected time under IRC) 2018 – George David, Rambler 88, Maxi (USA) 2017 – Hap Fauth, Bella Mente, JV72 (USA) 2016 – George Sakellaris, Maxi 72, Proteus (USA) 2015 – Hap Fauth, JV72, Bella Mente (USA) 2014 – George Sakellaris, RP72, Shockwave (USA) 2013 – Ron O’Hanley, Privateer, Cookson 50 (USA)  2012 – Niklas Zennström’s JV72, Rán (GBR) 2011 – George David, Rambler 100, JK 100 (USA)  2010 – Karl C L Kwok, Beau Geste, Farr 80 (HKG) 2009 – Adrian Lee, Lee Overlay Partners, Cookson 50 (IRL)  THE ROYAL OCEAN RACING CLUB: Established in 1925, The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) became famous for the biennial Fastnet Race and the international team event, the Admiral’s Cup. It organises an annual series of domestic offshore races from its base in Cowes as well as inshore regattas including the RORC Easter Challenge and the IRC European Championship (Includes the Commodores’ Cup) in the Solent.  The RORC Caribbean 600, based in Antigua and the first offshore race in the Caribbean, has been an instant success. The 11th edition will take place in 2019. The RORC extended its organisational expertise by creating the RORC Transatlantic Race from Lanzarote to Grenada, the first of which was in November 2014.  The club is based in St James’ Place, London, but after a merger with The Royal Corinthian Yacht Club in Cowes, now boasts a superb clubhouse facility at the entrance to Cowes Harbour and a membership of over 4,000. Twitter: #rorcracing @RORCracing Facebook: www.facebook.com/royaloceanracingclub Instagram: www.instagram.com/rorcracing RORC RATING: The RORC has also been a leader in yacht handicap systems and in co-operation with the French offshore racing club, UNCL, created IRC – the principal yacht measurement system for the rating of racing yachts worldwide. The Spinlock IRC rating rule is administered jointly by the RORC Rating Office in Lymington, UK and UNCL Centre de Calcul in Paris, France. The RORC Rating Office is the technical hub of the Royal Ocean Racing Club and recognised globally as a centre of excellence for measurement.  For Spinlock IRC rating information in the UK please see: www.rorcrating.com IRC rating globally: www.ircrating.org Social media: www.facebook.com/rorcratingwww.facebook.com/ircrating Twitter @RORCrating @IRCrating RACE PARTNERS:The Royal Ocean Racing Club has partnered with Rolex SA, adding the RORC Caribbean 600 to the leading Swiss watchmaker’s prestigious roster of yachting events around the world.  www.rolex.com Sevenstar Yacht Transport – Official Logistics Partner to the RORC Caribbean 600. Sevenstar Yacht Transport is the world’s leading provider of yacht shipping services. A global network of destinations, ranging from the familiar to the exotic, and our own fleet of more than 100 independent carriers have propelled Sevenstar to the peak of its sector for more than 25 years. For race yachts, Sevenstar offers a unique package to the teams which includes all logistics of boat and spares. http://www.sevenstar-yacht-transport.com/racing-logistics.aspx Sevenstar Yacht Transport Enquiries:  Wouter Verbraak – Direct:  +44 238 021 5063, Mb: +44 755 752 6451  E: wouter@sevenstar-uk.com

ARGO and BELLA MENTE Break Elapsed Time Records In 62nd Annual Wirth M. Munroe Ocean Race to Palm Beach

Elapsed time records fell in the Sailfish Club of Florida’s 62nd annual Wirth M. Munroe Ocean Race to Palm Beach, the second event of the 2018-19 SORC Islands in the Stream Series. Twenty-eight teams raced in near-perfect conditions on a new two-course format with starts on December 7 in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

ARGO, Jason Carroll’s MOD 70 trimaran from the Larchmont (N.Y.) Yacht Club, took line honors, finishing the 60-mile course from Miami to Palm Beach in just over 3 hours, averaging nearly 20 knots and smashing the overall elapsed time record set last year by Austin and Gwen Fragomen’s Interlodge Volvo 70.

BELLA MENTE, the new Botin Maxi 72 owned by Hap Fauth, the syndicate co-head of the New York Yacht Club’s American Magic America’s Cup challenge, broke the monohull record set by Interloge, finishing the Miami course in less than 4-and-a-half hours.

Division winners included: FOX, Victor Wild’s TP 52, won IRC; KENAI, Chris Lewis’ J-44, won ORC; THIN ICE, an Aerodyne 38 owned by Stuart Hebb and John Vincent won PHRF; and OSITA, Becky Lyons’ Tartan 40 won ECRCA. ARGO won the multihull division.

“We are delighted that this year’s race was a success at every level and encouraged that the excitement around our event reflects the growing momentum in the South Florida racing scene,” said Wirth Munroe Event Chair Tom Bowler of the Sailfish Club.

“We had records broken, spectacular weather, a diverse fleet across a broad spectrum that included veterans and newcomers alike, and the wonderful post-race camaraderie that has made the Wirth Munroe Race such a special event.”

The fleet enjoyed mainly sunny skies, mild temperatures and easterly winds from 12-15 knots. The entries represented crews from California, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Texas.

This year’s Wirth Munroe race saw the introduction of a two-course format – a 40-mile Sprint course that started off Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, and a 60-mile Classic course that started off Government Cut in Miami. Both courses finished off the Palm Beach Inlet.

The Wirth Munroe Classic Course will be scored as part of the SORC’s “Islands in the Stream” series, which includes the Miami-Nassau Race, the Lauderdale-Key West Race, the Miami-Havana Race and the Pineapple Cup from Miami to Montego Bay. The Sprint Course will not be scored as part of the series.

For decades the Wirth M. Munroe Ocean Race started in Miami, but it was shortened to a single Fort Lauderdale-Palm Beach course several years ago to encourage participation. Two years ago, as a tribute to the race’s 60th anniversary, organizers returned to the longer course starting in Miami. Interest in both courses prompted organizers to offer the two-course format for 2018.

The Organizing Authority for the race consists of The Sailfish Club of Florida in partnership with the Storm Trysail Club and with the support of the Biscayne Bay Yacht Club. The SORC, the Storm Trysail Club and the Sailfish Club of Florida oversaw race management.

Race details – Results

Source: Gus Carlson, Wirth M. Munroe Race Committee

Bella Mente completed in the second race of the season  in the new Maxi 72 in the 2018 Wirth M. Munroe Yacht Race from Miami to West Palm Beach. Congratulations to FOX!

Early Departures from Fort Lauderdale for Bella Mente at 5am!

  

Bella moves to the Caribbean in early 2019!

OFFICIAL RESULTS:

2018 Annual Wirth M. Munroe Miami to Palm Beach Yacht Race

Place, Yacht Name, Yacht Type, Owner/Skipper, City, State, Country, Results, Total Points The Classic – Miami to Palm Beach Course IRC (IRC – 6 Boats) 1. FOX, TP52, Victor Wild , San Diego, CA, USA, 1 ; 1 2. Interlodge IV, Botin 44, Austin and Gwen Fragomen , Newport, RI, USA, 2 ; 2 3. SPOOKIE, TP52, Steve & Heidi Benjamin , Miami, FL, USA, 3 ; 3 4. Bella Mente, Botin Maxi 72, Hap Fauth , Naples, FL, USA, 4 ; 4 5. Denali, IRC 52, Michael D’Amelio , Boston, MA, USA, 5 ; 5 6. White Rhino 2, Carkeek 47, Todd Stuart , Key West, FL, USA, 6 ; 6 ORC (ORC – 9 Boats) 1. Kenai, J 44, Chris Lewis , Seabrook, TX, USA, 1 ; 1 2. Harm’s Way, J 109, Andy Wescoat , Spring, TX, USA, 2 ; 2 3. Relentless, Salona 35, Oscar Valdes / Charlie Santiago , Miami Lakes, Fl, USA, 3 ; 3 4. Hillbilly, J 92, Bradley Stowers , Melbourne, FL, USA, 4 ; 4 5. Senara, Farr 395, Eamonn deLisser / James Bill / Horst Biaer , Coral Gables, FL, USA, 5 ; 5 6. Mr Brightside, Farr 40 OD, Alex Sastre , Miami, Fl, USA, 6 ; 6 7. Outer Limits, Tripp 40, David Connolly , North Port, FL, USA, 7 ; 7 8. Jasmine, Little Harbor 54, John Evans , Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA, 8 ; 8 9. Gamble, Schock 40, Jason Seibert , Spring, TX, USA, 9 ; 9 PHRF (PHRF_ToT – 5 Boats) 1. Thin Ice, Aerodyne 38, Stuart Hebb / John Vincent , Newport, RI, USA, 1 ; 1 2. Chessie Racing, Tripp 62, George Collins , Miami Beach, FL, USA, 2 ; 2 3. Longbow, Owen/Clarke Class 40, FK Day , Chicago, IL, USA, 3 ; 3 4. Sirona, Tripp / Marten 72, Geoffrey Pierini , Perth Amboy, NJ, USA, 4 ; 4 5. Victoria, Cherubini, Richard Sammons , new york, NY, USA, 6 ; 6 The Classic – Miami to Palm Beach – Multi Course Multihull (PHRF_ToT – 3 Boats) 1. Argo, MOD 70, Jason Carroll , New York, NY, USA, 1 ; 1 2. Flight Simulator, Corsair Cruze 970, Tom Reese , Youngstown, NY, USA, 2 ; 2 3. Newborn Elf, Corsair F-28R, Urban Patterson , Islamorada, FL, USA, 4 ; 4 The Sprint – Ft. Lauderdale to Palm Beach Course PHRF (PHRF_ToT – 2 Boats) 1. Loose Cannon, J 88, John Kearns , Jupiter, FL, USA, 1 ; 1 2. Ragtime, Tartan 3500, Robert Gebbia , North Palm Beach, FL, USA, 2 ; 2 ECRCA (ToT) (ToT – 3 Boats) 1. Osita, Tartan 40, Becky Lyons , Miami, FL, USA, 1 ; 1 2. Sempre Amantes, Hunter Passage 42, Colin Whittaker , Margate, FL, USA, 2 ; 3. Jaloha, O’Day 34, Corey Park , Coral Springs, FL, USA, 3 ; 3

The new Bella Mente back in the water for team training and racing in the 2018 Annual Wirth M. Munroe Miami to Palm Beach Yacht Race next week! (Photo Credit: Captain Peter C. Henderson)

Link to Race Information: https://yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=5906