Please select your home edition
Edition
CompareBoatInsurance Leaderboard

International fleet set for RORC Caribbean 600

by Louay Habib 1 Feb 2023 09:01 UTC 14-24 February 2023

Over 70 teams from 16 different nations are expected for the 2023 RORC Caribbean 600, with a dozen or more boats racing in the inaugural RORC Nelson's Cup Series. Racing action for the new series starts on Valentine's Day Tuesday February 14th. The final event of the four-race series will be the 14th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600, starting on Monday February 20th.

Multihull - High Velocity Showdown

Two 70ft racing trimarans are readying for a multihull showdown; Giovanni Soldini's Maserati Multi70 (ITA) returns having missed out in 2022 to Jason Carroll's Argo for Multihull Line Honours by just two minutes. Argo is in the Pacific and not taking part this year, but MOD70 Zoulou (FRA) with Erik Maris at the helm will provide formidable opposition to the Italian stallion. Six Multihulls are expected to be in action, including Gunboat 60 Tosca (USA) co-skippered by Ken Howery & Alex Thomson, as well as Christian Guyader's ORC 50 Guyader Saveol (FRA) skippered by Gwen Chapalain.

IRC Super Zero - Six-Gun Shoot Out

IRC Super-Zero promises to be a thrilling six-gun shoot-out for round the world canting-keel raceboats, including four Volvo 70s: American skipper Roy P. Disney racing Pyewacket (USA), The Polish National Foundation's I Love Poland (POL), HYPR Ocean Racing skippered by Seamus Fitz Patrick (AUT), and a RORC team racing Green Dragon (AUT) skippered by Johannes Schwarz. Two VO65s will also be in the IRC Super Zero mix: The Lithuanian team on Ambersail (LTU) and an Austrian entry on Sisi (AUT) skippered by Gerwin Jansen.

IRC Zero - Fireworks Expected

The largest class for the RORC Caribbean 600 is IRC Zero with 13 entries. Fireworks are expected from seven carbon-fibre 50-footers in the class: Eric de Turckheim's NMD 54 Teasing Machine (FRA), Botin 56 Black Pearl (GER) sailed by Stefan Jentsch, Niklas Zennstrom's CF520 Rán (SWE), Henry de Bokay's Elliott 52 Rafale (GER), Kate & Jim Murray Pac52 Callisto (USA), Infiniti 52 Tulikettu (FIN) skippered by Arto Linnervuo and ClubSwan 50 Balthasar (BEL) sailed by Louis Balcean. Smaller yachts, capable of punching well above their weight include the HH42 Ino XXX (GBR) skippered by RORC Commodore James Neville, and Frederic Puzin's Ker 46 Daguet 3 - Corum (FRA). The largest boats expected to be racing in IRC Zero are Todd Stuart's Swan 82 White Rhino (USA), Marie Tabarly's 73ft ketch Penduick VI (FRA) and the OnDeck's Farr 65 Spirit of Juno (ANT) skippered by David Hanks.

Class40 - Multinational Battle

A dozen or more Class40s will be racing in the RORC Caribbean 600, including three of the latest designs skippered by Italian entries. Ambrogio Beccaria, winner of the 2022 Normandy Channel Race and second in the Route du Rhum, will be racing the Guelfi designed Alla Grande - Pirelli (ITA). One of the latest designs from the drawing board of Sam Manuard, the Mach 40.5 IBSA (ITA), will be raced by Alberto Bona. Fellow Italian skipper Andrea Fornaro, class winner for the 2022 Round Ireland Race, will be racing the VPLP designed Influence (ITA). The Verdier-designed Class40 BHB (FRA) won the RORC Caribbean 600 in 2020 and the boat returns now under skipper Paul Brandel. Third in 2022, Olivier Delrieu returns with his Mach40 Vicitan (FRA). Another returning winning boat is the Botin-designed Tales II which won the RORC Caribbean 600 in 2016. Tales II (FRA) returns under the skipper Jean-Baptiste Daramy. Axel Trehin, winner of the 2021 Normandy Channel Race will be racing his Raison-designed Project Rescue Ocean (FRA).

From the United States, two Mach40.3's will be making their RORC Caribbean 600 debuts, including Greg Leonard's Kite (USA), second in the 2022 Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland Race. Martin Roesch competed on the Mills 68 Prospector last year, but this will be his first race with his Mach40.3 Velocity (USA).

IRC One - Eclectic Mix

Racing in IRC One will be Bernie Evan-Wong's RP37 Taz (ANT). Bernie has never missed a RORC Caribbean 600 and will be competing as skipper for the 14th occasion. Taz will have strong competition from fellow Caribbean entry; J/121 Whistler (BAR) skippered by Peter Lewis. Experienced British entries in IRC One include Andrew & Sam Hall's Lombard 46 Pata Negra (GBR) and Global Yacht Racing's First 47.7 EH01 (GBR), skippered by Andy Middleton. Laurent Courbin's First 53 Yagiza (FRA) will be taking part in its debut race with race-veteran Philippe Falle as skipper. Lionel Regnier's 58ft Briand sloop L'Esprit d'Equipe (FRA) is also entered. Winner of the 1985 Whitbread Round the World Race, the winning skipper Lionel Pean will be on board for the RORC Caribbean 600.

Corinthian Passion and Pride

Six boats from four different countries are entered in IRC Two & IRC Three. The largest is Katy Campbell's Solaris 45 Panacea X (CAN). The oldest is the classic Swan 441 Charisma (GER) skippered by Constantin Claviez. Kate Cope's Sun Fast 3200 Purple Mist is one of the smallest boat in the RORC Caribbean 600. Purple Mist will be racing Two-Handed with Claire Dresser, following on from their success in the RORC Transatlantic Race. A total of six teams will be racing in IRC Two-Handed, the smallest is Szymon Kuczynski Figaro One Hultaj (POL) at just 9 meters in length. However, Hultaj is a large boat compared to the boat in which Szymon set a new world record in 2018. He circumnavigated singlehanded and unaided in 270 days on board the 6.3 meter sloop Atlantic Puffin.

RORC Nelson's Cup Series - High Aspirations

While the RORC Caribbean 600 offshore race is now well established as the 'must do' offshore race for the Caribbean, the RORC Nelson's Cup Series is a new initiative by the Royal Ocean Racing Club. The four-race series which includes the RORC Caribbean 600 has attracted over a dozen entries. The RORC Nelson's Cup Series will pitch classic yachts such as Pen Duick VI against one of the latest hi-tech offshore racers - Rán, and just about everything in between. The series is also open to yachts that are not entered for the 600-mile offshore event. Tom Rich's GP42 Settler (USA) has taken up that opportunity. The RORC Nelson's Cup Series is raced under the IRC Rule and every boat has an equal chance of winning races.

"The RORC Caribbean 600 race is one of the best offshore races in the world, but it is usually won by a big boat," commented RORC Vice-Commodore Eric de Turckheim. "The Series will give smaller boats a better chance of winning due to the variety of races. The Royal Ocean Racing Club have a long-term plan for the RORC Nelson's Cup Series; making it one of the world's most significant regattas."

For more information about the RORC Caribbean 600 and RORC Nelson's Cup Series visit: www.caribbean600.rorc.org.

Related Articles

The new Y6
Intuitive solo sailing redefined We proudly announces the creation of the Y6, a groundbreaking model designed for effortless, intuitive solo sailing. Posted today at 5:50 am
Race For Water first stop in Marseille
Campaign to raise awareness of the importance of ocean preservation First stop in Marseille for the Mediterranean campaign of the Ocean and Climate Odyssey, organized by Race For Water, aiming to raise awareness among the general public, schoolchildren, and businesses about the importance of ocean preservation. Posted on 8 May
SW108 Kiboko 4 wins Sailing Superyacht of the Year
At the 20th edition of the Boat International World Superyacht Awards Southern Wind Australia and New Zealand is thrilled to announce that the SW108 Kiboko 4has been awarded both the "Sailing Yacht" category win and the prestigious title of "Sailing Yacht of the Year" at the Boat International World Superyacht Awards. Posted on 8 May
Henri-Lloyd Dynamic Lite Jacket
Will it become your new favourite jacket? We all have that one favourite jacket, which no matter what the weather or where you're going, it's the one you pick out above everything else. The new Dynamic Lite Jacket from Henri-Lloyd is set to become the new fave jacket. Posted on 8 May
Bulwarks and Bulldust – new Vodcast Show launches
Join us as we pan for the gold dust, whilst sifting out the bulldust. Bulwarks and Bulldust looks at the serious subjects from inside the world of boating, but we don't take ourselves too seriously. The show covers off everything from Off The Beach to Superyachts, Powerboats to Ocean Racing, and the marine industry itself Posted on 6 May
Team Malizia Sets Sail On A New Mission
With Their Malizia Explorer Research Vessel Boris Herrmann's Team Malizia is upscaling their climate research efforts with a new sailboat, Malizia Explorer, dedicated to science, communication and outreach. Posted on 6 May
USCG proposes changes to aids to navigation
Proposing to discontinue some buoys in the Northeast The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking public input on proposed aids to navigation (AtoN) changes in the northeast, April 30, 2025. Posted on 6 May
Yachts For Sale at Ancasta
Plus Boat Shows This Month Visit Ancasta at this year's South Coast Boat Show at Ocean Village, Southampton, where we'll be showcasing the finest models from Lagoon Catamarans, Prestige Motor Yachts, and Beneteau Power & Sail. Posted on 5 May
Explore The Remarkable Cure 55
Join Cure Marine co-founder Dave Biggar for an exclusive walkthrough Since her launch, the Cure 55 has been turning heads and earning widespread praise. Sailors have been impressed by her balanced feel, sharp responsiveness, and exhilarating performance - reaching over 21 knots SOG in just 17 knots of breeze. Posted on 3 May
Hyde Sails Job Vacancies
Yacht Sales Representative and Sales & Marketing Assistant required Hyde Sails are pleased to be hiring for two positions based in our Hamble Sales Office. Established in 1964, Hyde Sails manufacture around 40,000 sails per year from our modern factory in the far east. Posted on 2 May
Pantaenius 2022 - SAIL & POWER 1 FOOTER ROWSelden 2020 - FOOTEROcean Safety 2023 - New Identity - FOOTER