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

 

During the month of September 2018, Owner/Driver, Hap Fauth has launched his 4th Maxi 72, Bella Mente Racing in Newport, RI USA.

 

The Final Touches to the new Bella Mente, Maxi 72 at New England Boatworks.

Bella Mente leaves New England Boatworks – September 17th, 2018

Bella Mente Arrives Newport Shipyard – September 17th, 2018 with theinstallation of the new keel at Newport Shipyard – evening of September 19th, 2018

Bella Mente installation of the new Rig at Newport Shipyard – of September 22nd, 2018

A monumental day for Owner/ Driver, Hap Fauth, and then entire Bella Mente Racing Family! Early this morning we launched Fauth’s New Maxi 72! A huge shout out to Captain Peter C Henderson and then entire Bella Mente Design, Build, Production and Shore Team. Great work! We also appreciate the hard work and support from the team at New England Boatworks and Newport Shipyard!

 

 

Bella Mente Sea Trials concludes September 2018.

 

MANIFESTING A DREAM: BELLA MENTE

by Sharon Green October 11, 2018

One of the joys of being a photographer is when I consider a boat as more than just an inanimate object. In many cases it’s the manifestation of a life-long passion and dream, brimming with energy and personalities. 

I have been photographing Hap Fauth’s series of racing yachts since 2006, when I shot his first Bella Mente (a Judel/Vrolijk Cookson 66) at Key West Race Week. Since that time, it’s been a real thrill getting to experience and document the evolution and growth of thisracing campaign, and his passion for competition and excellence. 

Just two years after campaigning the first Bella Mente in ‘06, he built another: the Reichel Pugh 69, later modified to 75-feet for Transpac2011. 

The Los Angeles to Honolulu Transpac race had been on Hap’s bucket list for years. It was exciting to capture their start, slippingaround Catalina Island – then disappearing from sight. We waited daily for results as they sped across the 2,225 mile course, and were on pins and needles at the finish, hoping they wouldn’t arrive in the dark. They came screaming in at first light and I got the shot: first to finish, for the Barn Door trophy – after six and a half days at sea. 

The following year, this beauty was launched: the 72-foot mini-maxi JV design, built by New England Boatworks. Our October image, in the 2018 Ultimate Sailing Calendar, features Bella Mente in Newport, RI during the Rolex Maxi 72 North Americans and New York Yacht Club Annual Regatta. They won the event.

This photo was a truly lucky catch! It was extremely windy that day and rough on the outside course: my favorite ‘fresh to frightening’ conditions! I was shooting with colleagues Daniel Forster and Stephen Cloutier, on a Protector 28. It was pretty rough and tumble, and I ended up bruised from head to toe! The calendar photo was shot with a Canon 1DX, 70-200 2.8L, Aperture 5.6, ISO 320, Shutter 2,500. We situated ourselves well in front of the boats after they set on their layline and maneuvered so the racing yachts were coming toward the photo boat and then away. It happens very fast and you only have one chance.  

It remains one of my favorite photos – showing the sheer power of a state-of-the-art raceboat harnessing the wind, and the dedication and skill of Hap and his crew: the focused driving, skilled trimming, and outstanding crew work that have made them three-time world champions in the Maxi 72 class. It doesn’t hurt that the boat is very photogenic. 

The fourth Bella Mente was launched in September of 2018: another Maxi 72 design by Botin Partners and New England Boatworks. Plus, earlier this year, Hap teamed up with Doug DeVos, to announce they would represent New York Yacht Club in the challenge for the 36th America’s Cup!  

Hap was quoted as saying, “I’ve always found tremendous satisfaction in bringing together a group of individuals in pursuit of one goal. With a return to a more traditional style of yacht and windward-leeward courses, with which the vast majority of racing sailors are intimately familiar, the 36th America’s Cup represents a unique opportunity to re-engage the grass roots of the sport and re-energize American sailing.” 

We wish them good luck and can’t wait to capture the newest Belle Mente on the racing scene in 2019.  

 

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Sharon Green has been capturing electrifying images of performance sailing for more than 30 years. Her annual Ultimate Sailing Calendar, featuring the highlights of competitive sailing, is eagerly anticipated by yachting and photography enthusiasts worldwide. Sharon has been published in major boating publications, both locally and internationally, since she first took up a camera while still in high school. In recognition of her extraordinary accomplishments in photography Sharon was awarded an honorary Masters Degree from the prestigious Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara, California, where she lives with her daughter Michaela and son Kieran.

Sharon is happiest when she is on the water or hanging from a helicopter in search of the elusive image that can be called ‘Ultimate Sailing’. “My greatest satisfaction is when it all comes together: the anticipation, planning, organizing, traveling and epic conditions that combine to create a thrilling photograph. The pursuit of ‘Ultimate Sailing’ images never seems to grow old. Three decades and I still love the challenge of creating memorable images for my clients and the calendar.”

H