In a statement in response to the invasion of Ukraine, the world's leading offshore yacht racing body has said it abhors the invasion of Ukraine and extends its wholehearted support to the Ukrainian nation.

The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) says it "endorses the positions taken by World Sailing, IOC, BOA, and the RYA".

Until this situation is resolved RORC says it will not permit any yachts with identified connections with Russian and Belarusian nationals to participate in any of its events.

RORC says it will continue to assess the situation and will take any appropriate actions in line with the international community and World Sailing.

Tropical heat, moderate trade winds and ocean swell provided superb racing conditions for the first day and night of action in the 2022 RORC Caribbean 600. In the deep south a battle is raging between the three foremost multihulls, with Giovanni Soldini’s Maserati (ITA) and Jason Carroll’s Argo (USA) less than a mile apart. The 70ft trimarans have been recording boat speeds in excess of 35 knots at times. Peter Cunningham’s PowerPlay (CAY) led the fleet to Barbuda, but is now 20 miles behind the leaders at Guadeloupe. Maserati and Argo are on course to beat the Multihull Race Record (30 hours 49 mins 00 secs) and are expected to finish the race at around sunset tonight.

PowerPlay’s Paul Larsen sets the scene at St Barths: “PowerPlay is shrieking and whooshing at between 28 and 33 knots in silence, just flying … and then with the tortured sound of a loaded winch easing, the symphony starts again… and again. We’re desperately trying to hang on to the foilers. In these conditions it feels like managing losses until lighter conditions arrive… hopefully. We’ve made a brutal little campsite high on the windward hull. It’s basically a sail bag and two lashed down camp mattresses. With respect to comfort, it’s a joke… but one we’re grateful for. We need the bodies out there. The boat is in the groove. It’s been a bloody fast race. We did well to lead to Barbuda but now Maserati must be smokin’.”

Skorpios leads in the race for Monohull Line Honours and are on record pace to break the Monohull Race Record (37 hours 41 mins 45 secs). Comanche is an hour behind Skorpios, but after IRC time correction is the overall race leader. With a north-easterly wind of 13-18 knots the RORC fleet have been making excellent progress. The bulk of the boats are in the vicinity of St Maarten at the top of the 600-mile course. Class leaders at dawn on Day Two include Maserati, Warrior Won, Sunrise, Scarlet Oyster and Guidi.

Onboard Skorpios

Snapshot: 0700 AST 22 February

IRC Super Zero

Dmitry Rybolovlev’s ClubSwan 125 Skorpios (MON), skippered by Fernando Echavarri, leads the monohull fleet at Montserrat. They are 12 miles ahead of the VPLP/Verdier 100 Comanche (CAY) skippered by Mitch Booth. The Farr 100 Leopard (MON), skippered by Chris Sherlock, with Joost Schuijff at the helm is third on the water, 45 miles behind Comanche. After IRC time correction Comanche leads the class. Volvo 70 I Love Poland (POL), skippered by Grzegorz Baranowski is estimated to be two hours behind on IRC with Skorpios third. The leaders are about to negotiate the wind shadow of Guadeloupe, which could be a decisive moment in the race.

Dmitry Rybolovlev's ClubSwan 125 Skorpios and Comanche at the start of the RORC Caribbean 600 Photo: Tim Wright

IRC Zero

Christopher Sheehan’s Pac52 Warrior Won (USA) leads the class on the water and after IRC time correction, by approximately two hours. Jim Murray racing Pac52 Callisto (USA) is in second, with David Collins Botin IRC52 Tala (GBR) third in class. This trio of downwind flyers are about to pull the trigger, screaming off downwind towards Guadeloupe and very likely to jump up the overall ranking.

Christopher Sheehan’s Pac52 Warrior Won (USA) leads the class Photo:Tim Wright

Charles-Louis Mourruau’s Guidi (FRA) lis currently the leading Class40  Photo:Tim Wright

Class40 Division

Charles-Louis Mourruau’s Guidi (FRA) leads at the top of St. Maarten, itching to come off the breeze for the blast south to Guadeloupe. Herve Thomas’ Minnimo (FRA) was three miles astern, with Olivier Delrieu’s Vitican (FRA) in third within striking distance of the leaders.

IRC One

Having rounded Saba Island before dawn, Andrew Hall’s Lombard 46 Pata Negra (GBR) leads on the water by a mile on the beat to St Barts. Tom Kneen’s JPK 1180 Sunrise (GBR) and Ed Bell’s JPK 1180 Dawn Treader (GBR) are neck-and-neck behind Pata Negra. After IRC time correction, Sunrise leads by just 21 minutes from Dawn Treader, with Pata Negra third.

Alex Picot contacted the RORC media team from Jacques Pelletier’s Milon 41 L’Ange de Milon (FRA), which is lying fourth in class after time correction.

“Everything is fine on L'Ange de Milon as we are approaching St Barths. The start of the race was thrilling, with a lot of close tacks. The long leg to Barbuda with the Code 0 did not go well for us with a few technical and speed issues. Luckily, it's behind us and the skipper and crew are giving everything for the come-back! This race track is great and the wind, sun and warmth of the Caribbean reminds us of summer in Brittany.”

Jacques Pelletier’s Milon 41 L’Ange de Milon (FRA), which is lying fourth in IRC Two after time correction  Photo:Tim Wright

Ross Applebey’s Oyster 48 Scarlet Oyster (GBR) is leading the class on the water and after IRC time correction Photo: Rick Tomlinson

IRC Two

Ross Applebey’s Oyster 48 Scarlet Oyster (GBR) rounded Saba Island in the early hours to lead the class on the water and after IRC time correction. Richard Palmer’s JPK 1010 Jangada (GBR), racing Two-Handed with Jeremy Waitt was just two minutes behind after time correction. Sigma 38 Sam (GBR), skippered by Peter Hopps, was estimated to be third in class, an hour behind Jangada.

Two boats have retired from the RORC Caribbean 600 with all sailors safe and well. Ron O’Hanley’s Cookson 50 Privateer (USA) and Todd Stuart’s Swan 82 White Rhino (USA) are returning to Antigua.

Track the fleet and follow all the updates as the race unfolds below

The 13th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600 started on time and in sone style from Antigua on Monday 21 February.

The IRC Super Zero start was nothing short of hell-raising, with Comanche reaching at full speed towards the Pillars of Hercules, then hardening up to take the inside line perilously close to the cliffs.

VO65 Groovederci Racing - Sailing Poland, sailed by Deneen Demourkas was in close quarters. As the two leaders tacked out, they crossed with the massive ClubSwan 125 Skorpios (MON) and the Volvo 70 Ocean Breeze coming inshore on starboard. In the MOCRA start, Peter Cunningham’s MOD70 PowerPlay (CAY) flipped a wheelie on final approach before blasting off into the lead in a ball of spray at over 25 knots.

Seventy-four teams with over 700 sailors from 32 countries started the race. The Royal Ocean Racing Club’s 600-mile race around 11 Caribbean islands had a spectacular start with 15 knots of wind from the northeast gusting up to 20 knots.

Hundreds of spectators, on and off the water watched the Caribbean 600 IRC Super Zero yachts head off Photo: Tim Wright

The mighty Skorpios, Leopard and Comanche in IRC Super Zero Photo: Rick Tomlinson

The IRC Super Zero start was nothing short of hell-raising, with Comanche reaching at full speed towards the Pillars of Hercules Photo: Tim Wright

Fleet Snapshot: DAY 1 - 1500 AST 21 February

Four hours into the race, Giovanni Soldini’s Multi70 Maserati (ITA) was leading the Multihull Class from Peter Cunningham’s PowerPlay and Jason Carroll’s Argo (USA). In the race for Monohull Line Honours, the leader by just a mile, was Dmitry Rybolovlev’s ClubSwan 125 Skorpios, skippered by Fernando Echavarri. The VPLP/Verdier 100 Comanche, skippered by Mitch Booth was second on the water. With just over two hours to go until the first sunset of the race, the majority of the fleet were making good progress to Barbuda, the first and only mark of the course.

“The start was just incredible, it’s rare to see so many big boats in a start like that, just taking it on, but it was not just the big boats. This fleet is stacked right through all the classes, with competitive starts the whole way through. Good luck to all the teams,” commented Race Director Chris Stone. “Making sure the fleet get away to a good start is the first part of this stage of the race management. We continue to focus on the safety aspects out on the race course. There will be different weather conditions and some parts of the course are pretty treacherous. For the RORC Race team it is about keeping the fleet safe, with 24-hour monitoring for every boat.”

Giovanni Soldini’s Multi70 Maserati (ITA) and Peter Cunningham’s MOD70 PowerPlay (CAY) Photo: Arthur Daniel/RORC

IRC ONE and IRC TWO START

Yuri Fadeev’s First 40 Optimus Prime (GBR) nailed the inshore end of the line, closely followed by Ross Applebey’s Oyster 48 Scarlet Oyster (GBR). Bernie Evan-Wong’s RP37 Taz (ANT) also had a great start. Stuart Dahlgreen racing J/121 Wings (USA) was OCS by just five seconds, but restarted correctly.

Four hours into the race, Tom Kneen’s JPK 1180 Sunrise (GBR) and Ed Bell’s JPK 1180 Dawn Treader (GBR) were neck-and neck at the front or IRC One. Just a mile behind the leaders, Andrew Hall’s Lombard 46 Pata Negra (GBR) was going well. In IRC Two, two old rivals were battling for the lead on the water: Andy Middleton’s First 47.7 EH01 (GBR) and Scarlet Oyster. Pamala Baldwin’s J/122 Liquid (ANT), skippered by Julian White was just three miles behind the leaders.

Start of IRC 1, IRC 2 and CSAS Photo: Rick Tomlinson

Peter Lewis' J/122 Whistler from Barbados was among the first start with boats racing in IRC 1 and IRC 2 Photo: Tim Wright

Pogo 12.50 Hermes from Canada amongst the starters in IRC 1 Photo: Arthur Daniel/RORC

IRC ZERO and Class40 START

Christopher Sheehan’s Pac52 Warrior Won (USA) totally nailed the start, ripping over the line at full pace towards the lifting pressure. David Collins’ Botin IRC 52 Tala (GBR) was second over the line. On her hip with a good controlling position was Jean Pierre Dreau’s Mylius 60 Lady First 3 (FRA). In the Class40 Division, Herve Thomas’ Finnimo (FRA) got the best start, staying out of the melee inshore. Baptiste Hulin & Clement Commagnac’s Rennes - Saint Malo (FRA) and Marc Lepesqueux’s Sensation Class40 Extreme (FRA) tucked right in under the cliffs and crossed the line in good shape.

Four hours into the race, Warrior Won (USA) was leading on the water, two miles astern was their Pac52 sistership Callisto (USA) sailed by Jim Murray and Tala (GBR). In the Class40 Division, Finnimo held a one-mile lead from Charles-Louis Mourruau’s Guidi (FRA). Sensation Class40 Extreme was third on the water.

UP Sailing, Morgan Ursault Poupon's Class40 was one of nine Class40s at the start Photo: Arthur Daniel/RORC

Christopher Sheehan’s Pac52 Warrior Won (USA) totally nailed the start Photo: Tim Wright

Charles-Louis Mourruau's Class40 Guidi and Adrian Lee's Swan 60 Lee Overlay Partners from the Royal St. George Yacht Club on Dublin Bay Photo: Rick Tomlinson

RORC Caribbean 600 2022 | Live Start Replay

Track the fleet and follow all the updates as the race unfolds. All yachts are fitted with a race tracker below:

Three navigators spill the beans on what lies ahead for their respective teams in the 13th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600, which starts on Monday

The RORC Caribbean 600 has a racecourse like no other, testing the seamanship of the crews with a myriad of manoeuvres around 11 Caribbean islands, but the race is far more than a workout in the tropics. Strategy and tactics add to the mix, with forward planning playing a big part in scoring a top performance.

Campbell Field is racing on David Collins’ Botin IRC 52 Tala (GBR).

This will be Campbell’s seventh race, including third overall on the 182ft schooner Adela and runner-up twice on IRC 52s.

“From start day to day four, currently the forecasts are looking reasonably typical for the RORC Caribbean 600,” commented Campbell Field. “Trade winds in the mid-teens, warm and sunny, interspersed with some possible squall/rain activity with some good moisture content in the air column. There are indications that the latter part of the race could be slightly lighter and left of average. This wind speed is within the ideal conditions for Tala, especially broad reaching and running where we can start planing and that is where the fun is! Generally, the 600 is a great course for Tala, with plenty of open angle reaching to stretch our legs, combined with some shorter VMG beats and runs.”

"Caribbean 600 requires full focus over 12 legs"

“The RORC Caribbean 600 is a great course for navigators because it requires full focus over 12 legs, each with their own subtleties,” continues Field. “This does mean few opportunities for rest, but I love the physical and mental challenges. I'll have to keep my pencil sharp and paper dry for the race with two other closely matched 52s on the start line.”

Campbell Field, navigator on David Collins’ Botin IRC 52 Tala (GBR): "From start day to day four, currently the forecasts are looking reasonably typical for the RORC Caribbean 600" © Paul Wyeth/pwpictures.com

Brian Thompson will be racing on Jason Carroll’s MOD70 Argo (USA).

This will be Brian’s sixth race in multihulls, taking Line Honours on three previous occasions.

“We have been doing routing analysis for three days (13-16 February) to see how the weather is developing and it has been really interesting,” commented Brian Thompson. “A few days ago, the GFS Model was showing a windy race and the ECMWF was showing a moderate race. Now they are coming into align and showing possibly slightly less than moderate. At the moment we might be looking at 12-16 knots, slightly north of east. We have had a lot of wind in the build-up to this race, but by race day we should see calm seas, relatively for the Caribbean. However, keep in mind we are looking at the weather only as far as 36 hours into the race.”

"By race day we should see calm seas"

“Hopefully Argo will finish the race early Tuesday evening; record pace would be around sunset on day two. Regarding record pace, I don’t think this race will see too many squalls disrupting the wind, but getting through the lee of Guadeloupe could be tricky. If Argo can round Guadeloupe before the competition, we would be in a very good position to finish first.”

To break the RORC Caribbean 600 Multihull Race Record, held by Giovanni Soldini’s Multi70 Maserati (30 hours, 49 minutes, 00 seconds), any multihull would need to finish the race before 18:19 AST on Tuesday 22nd February.

Brian Thompson will be racing on Jason Carroll’s MOD70 Argo (USA) - "If Argo can round Guadeloupe before the competition, we would be in a very good position to finish first" © Carlo Borlenghi/Rolex

Tom Cheney is racing on Tom Kneen’s JPK 1180 Sunrise.

This will be the first race for Cheney who works with Suzy Peters on the strategy, together with Dave Swete, a three-time race winner.

The trio were also on Sunrise for their overall victory in the Rolex Fastnet Race and will be racing the boat in the RORC Caribbean 600.

“The RORC Caribbean 600 is very different to the Rolex Fastnet Race,” commented Tom Cheney. “One of the big considerations is planning the strategy for the wind shadows for the number of high volcanic islands. So, we know what to expect and the manoeuvres are fairly easy to predict. Between myself, Suzy and Dave we have put together a strategy, breaking the course down into twelve legs. On top of that we have broken down each leg into thirds; the transition in, the leg itself and the exit into the next leg.”

"A boat under 50ft has never claimed the RORC Caribbean 600 Trophy"

A boat under 50ft has never claimed the RORC Caribbean 600 Trophy for the overall win, and Sunrise is less than 40ft long.

“We never set out to win a race overall, we simply try to race the boat to the best performance possible. But I do think that on paper this race does play quite well to our strengths, even more than the Fastnet. There is a lot of reaching in this course and Sunrise really lights up when we put the bow down. At the moment the forecast wind speed is trending-down for the first 48 hours when the big boats will still be racing. But there is a small chance that the breeze may go up on day three. As a smaller boat, we get more weather. The question is, will that be more or less wind? That is the make or break.”
Sunrise

Tom Cheney is racing on Tom Kneen’s JPK 1180 Sunrise and will work with Suzy Peters on the strategy, together with Dave Swete © James Tomlinson

Seventy-five boats are entered for the RORC Caribbean 600 which starts on Monday 21 February in Antigua. The bulk of the astonishing fleet will be racing under IRC for overall victory and the Caribbean 600 Trophy. The glitterati of the sailing world will be taking part, as will passionate Corinthians. Over 700 sailors from 32 different nations will take on the thrilling race in the deep mid-winter of the Northern Hemisphere.

The beauty of the course is matched by the beast of conditions; trade winds and ocean swell create an exhilarating blast in tropical air around 11 islands in the Caribbean.

Dmitry Rybolovlev’s ClubSwan 125 Skorpios (MON), sailed by Fernando Echavarri, and the VPLP/Verdier 100 Comanche (CAY) skippered by Mitch Booth are favourites for Monohull Line Honours. Both Maxis are very capable of beating the Monohull Race Record set in 2018 by George David’s Rambler 88 (37 hours, 41 minutes, 45 seconds). The wild card for Line Honours is the Farr 100 Leopard skippered by Chris Sherlock. Leopard took Line Honours in the very first edition and it is great to see the famous boat back in Antigua. Comanche and Skorpios have only raced each other once before with Comanche taking the spoils in the 2021 Rolex Middle Sea Race.

“The RORC Caribbean 600 is a complicated race with a lot of different legs,” commented Skorpios skipper Fernando Echavarri.

“For Skorpios, how we play with the sails will be a very important area. Sail changes take a lot of time and each one reduces your speed, so we need to minimise the changes. To do that we choose sail combinations that are very versatile for the conditions and play with reefs and outriggers. It is super-important to make the right calls at the right time. The owner of Skorpios loves the two-day 600-mile races and this race is very interesting with so many islands and different points of sail, all in a beautiful place to race.

"RORC Caribbean 600 - 75 entries - 600 nm course - 700 sailors from 32 nations - 11 islands - 1 great race"

It is great to race against another very powerful boat. We know Comanche is very good in big breeze. Skorpios is a new boat and we have been making some changes to increase the performance in those areas where Comanche is strong, especially downwind. We were in race training mode crossing the Atlantic from Lanzarote to Antigua. It took us six days and seven hours to cover 3,120 nautical miles (Average speed 20.66 knots).”

One of the youngest teams in the race will be on board the Volvo 70 I Love Poland, competing in IRC Super Zero Photo: Robert Hadjuk

Mills 68 Prospector (USA), skippered by Terry Glackin and taking part in their third race Photo: Tim Wright/Photoaction.com

Groovederci Racing (USA) - A multinational crew on the chartered VO65 Sailing Poland skippered by Deneen Demourkas from Santa Barbara, California Photo: Tim Wright/Photoaction.com

IRC Super Zero

Fifteen Maxis will race in IRC Zero, just one less than the 2021 Rolex Fastnet Race. For the RORC Caribbean 600 six Volvo 70s and three VO65s will be racing in IRC Super Zero. The fastest on IRC Rating is the Volvo 70 L4 Trifork (DEN) sailed by Jens Dolmer, with Joern Larsen at the helm. Tactician Bouwe Bekking commented that L4 Trifork’s primary goal is to be the first Volvo 70 to finish the race. Competition in the Volvo 70s will come from Johannes Schwarz’s Ocean Breeze with a crew from the Yacht Club Sopot in Poland and Il Mostro (CAN) skippered by Gilles Barbot of Atlas Ocean Racing. I Love Poland (POL) skippered by Konrad Lipski has one of the youngest teams in the race, including teenagers Mateusz and Kacper Gwozdz. Olympic Gold medallist and Volvo Ocean Race sailor Tamara Echegoyen will be racing on Jens Lindner’s HYPR (ESP). Six different nationalities make up the crew on Lance Shepherd’s Telefonica Black (GBR), with charter guests from Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Switzerland and the United States.

The VO65s will enjoy a battle within IRC Super Zero. Ambersail II (LUT) is skippered by Saulius Pajarskas with an all-Lithuanian crew. The Austrian Ocean Race Project’s Sisi (AUT) is skippered by Gerwin Jansen. Deneen Demourkas from Santa Barbara, California has chartered Sailing Poland’s VO65 and is competing under the famous team banner of Groovederci Racing (USA). The multinational crew includes Marc Lagesse as navigator and Taylor Canfield as tactician. Over the past two decades, Demourkas’ Groovederci Racing has excelled in top one-design classes, including three world championship victories in the Farr30 (formerly Mumm 30) Class. In 2015, Deneen was nominated for ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year.

The two lowest-rated boats in IRC Super Zero are the Mills 68 Prospector (USA), sailed by Shelter Island Transatlantic Partners and taking part in their third race. Richard Tolkien at the helm of his Open 60 Rosalba (GBR) will be taking part in his first RORC Caribbean 600.

IRC Zero

The top five boats on IRC Rating could produce the closest contest in the 75-strong fleet. Christopher Sheehan’s Pac52 Warrior Won (USA), class winner in the 2021 Transpac, has a crack-crew including Stu Bannatyne from New Zealand and Canada’s Richard Clarke. From Lake Michigan Illinois, Kate & Jim Murray’s Pac52 Callisto (USA) is the highest rated boat in IRC Zero. Callisto’s crew includes navigator Jules Salter from the UK and Jared Henderson from New Zealand. Direct competition for the Pac52s will be David Collins’ Botin IRC 52 Tala (GBR). Tala was in fine form for the RORC Transatlantic Race, placing third overall. Tala’s crew includes New Zealander Campbell Field as navigator and Jeremy Robinson from the UK.

Eric de Turckheim’s NMYD 54 Teasing Machine (FRA) rates lower than the pack of hot 50-footers. Teasing Machine’s tactician Laurent Pages commented that the team is really looking forward to the race against top competition. Ron Hanley’s Cookson 50 Privateer (USA), overall winner in 2013 and second overall in 2018, sailed to Antigua from Rhode Island to take part in the race. Juggy Clougher who was on the delivery, has raced around the world more times than Phileas Fogg and won the race overall with Beau Geste and Rambler. “Just bashed our brains out upwind in 20 knots for 1,200 miles, so we can race for 600 miles! That’s what you do.... this is a really special race!”

With 19 teams, IRC Zero is the largest class in the RORC Caribbean 600. The competition within the class is set to be red hot. Watch out for the battle of the two French Ker 46s; Dominique Tian’s Tonnerre de Glen and Frederic Puzin’s Daguet 3. Adrian Lee, winning skipper for the first edition with his Cookson 50 will be taking part in his sixth race in Swan 60 Lee Overlay Partners II (IRL). Adrian’s twin teenage children, Dasha and Alexander will be racing on board.

Christopher Sheehan’s Pac52 Warrior One (USA) Photo: Sharon Green/Ultimate Sailing

Racing in IRC Zero - Ron Hanley’s Cookson 50 Privateer (USA) was overall winner in 2013 and second overall in 2018 Photo: Tim Wright/Photoaction.com

David Collins’ Botin IRC 52 Tala (GBR) will be competition for the Pac52s Photo: James Mitchell/RORC

IRC One

Two British JPK 1180s will be among the favourites in IRC One. Tom Kneen’s Sunrise (GBR) swept the board in the 2021 Rolex Fastnet Race, winning the world’s biggest offshore race overall. Ed Bell's JPK Dawn Treader (GBR) was out of luck in the Rolex Fastnet Race, retiring with a broken mast. Both boats were shipped across the Atlantic to take part in what will be their first race in the Caribbean.

Jacques Pelletier’s Milon 41 L’Ange de Milon (FRA) and Andrew Hall’s Lombard 46 Pata Negra (GBR) raced to the Caribbean in the RORC Transatlantic Race, coming second and fourth in class respectively. Two J/121s will be racing; Stuart Dahlgreen will sail Wings (USA) with a crew from Canada and the United States. Peter Lewis returns to the RORC Caribbean 600 with his team on Whistler (BAR).

The top two rated boats in IRC One features a match-up between two Pogo 12.50s. Tim Knight’s Kai (GBR) will race Two-Handed with Chris Swallow. Morgen Watson skippers Hermes II (CAN) for a fifth race, with a full crew, alongside partner Meg Reilly. There is no stopping Bernie Evan-Wong, the Antiguan skipper of the RP37 Taz has competed in every edition of the race and this year the Taz crew includes sailors from Antigua, Great Britain, Ireland and the USA.

One of the favourites in IRC One - Tom Kneen's British JPK 1180 Sunrise Photo: Rick Tomlinson

Jacques Pelletier’s Milon 41 L’Ange de Milon (FRA) competing in IRC One Photo: Rick Tomlinson

IRC Two

A dozen teams will be competing in IRC Two. Ross Applebey’s Oyster 48 Scarlet Oyster (GBR) has won class at the RORC Caribbean 600 a record six times. Richard Palmer’s JPK 1010 Jangada (GBR), racing with Jeremy Waitt will be competing in their third race, having won the Two-Handed class in 2020. Two Antiguan boats racing in the class are Pamala Baldwin’s J/122 Liquid and Carlo Falcone’s legendary Caccia Alla Volpe, skippered by Carlo’s son Rocco, with sister Shirley in an all-Antiguan crew. America’s Cup winner Shannon Falcone will be on Comanche for the race. Caccia Alla Volpe was Shannon’s first home when he sailed to Antigua as a child with his parents. Peter Hopps will be racing Sigma 38 Sam (GBR) in his 12th race. Sam is the lowest rated boat under IRC, but always makes the prize giving!

Ross Applebey’s Oyster 48 Scarlet Oyster (GBR) has won class at the RORC Caribbean 600 a record six times Photo: Tim Wright/Photoaction.com

IRC Two -Carlo Falcone’s legendary Caccia Alla Volpe, skippered by Carlo’s son Rocco, with sister Shirley in an all-Antiguan crew Photo: Tim Wright/Photoaction.com

Class40 Division

Nine Class40s will be taking part this year. The pocket-rocket 40-footers have always featured since the first race in 2009, with some exceptionally close finishes throughout the years.

Charles-Louis Mourruau’s Guidi is one of the latest Class40 designs in the race. The Sam Manuard designed Mach40.3 was commissioned in 2018. Charles-Louis is no stranger to RORC racing having competed in the Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland Race and the Rolex Fastnet Race.

The 2017 Verdier designed Rennes - Saint Malo / Mer Entreprendre will be sailed by Baptiste Hulin & Clement Commagnac. Racing on Arthur Hubert’s BHB, Commagnac won the 2020 RORC Caribbean 600.

Brian Hennessy’s Dragon (USA) is arguably the most successful American Class40 skipper having won the Bermuda One-Two, the Miami to Havana and the Marblehead to Halifax races. He will be racing Two-Handed with Cole Brauer.

Morgane Ursault Poupon racing Up Sailing will be taking part in her second race. The 2007 Rogers Yacht Design is one of the oldest boats in the race but was an impressive class runner-up in 2020.

Latest entries can be found here

This year’s RORC Caribbean 600 features a spectacular MOCRA Class with 10 multihulls in action. Whilst the overall winner of the RORC Caribbean 600 will be the monohull with best corrected time under IRC, racing under the MOCRA rating rule, many of the multihull class of 2022 are new to the race and the winner, after time correction, is wide open. The 600-mile RORC classic will headline a Line Honours re-match for three 70-foot trimarans which went hard and fast for the line in this year’s RORC Transatlantic Race.

Giovanni Soldini’s Multi70 Maserati (ITA) won the 3,000-mile race by a paper-thin margin and also holds the RORC Caribbean 600 Race Record (2019 - 30 hours, 49 minutes, 00 seconds). Peter Cunningham’s PowerPlay (CAY) and Jason Carroll’s Argo (USA) will be looking to push Maserati all the way for the 2022 RORC Caribbean 600. PowerPlay took Line Honours in 2020 by less than five minutes from Argo, with Maserati third. The wild card for Multihull Line Honours is Antoine Rabaste’s Ultim’Emotion 2 (FRA), which has a waterline advantage over the three 70-foot trimarans. The multihull leader on the water is expected to change many times - be prepared for a photo-finish, potentially at record pace.

“The RORC Caribbean 600 is a very different race to the RORC Transatlantic. We will have more crew because of the many manoeuvres around the course,” commented Maserati’s Giovanni Soldini. “For sure Maserati is a faster boat than our record race in 2019, but to break it will depend on the conditions. Compared to Argo and PowerPlay our best wind angle is downwind above 16 knots when we are very quick, but on a tight reach, the competition can be just as fast. For Maserati the best performance will come if we stay in pressure and make good manoeuvres. We have a plan for rounding every island, but that can change in a moment depending on the situation of other boats and if the wind direction changes. I am sure it will be a fantastic race!”

This year’s race has attracted a fascinating entry of multihulls, all of which are very capable of winning the MOCRA Class. With 10 teams entered, this is the second-largest entry for multihulls in the 14-year history of the RORC Caribbean 600.

Christian Guyader’s Saveol (FRA) skippered by Gwen Chapalain, and Club 5 Oceans (FRA) sailed by Quentin le Nabour are both ORC50s; a new class for the 2022 Route du Rhum. Light-weight, with a huge sail area and rotating mast, Guyader Saveol and Club 5 Oceans are capable of finishing the race in under 48 hours. Club 5 Oceans put in a great performance for the 2022 RORC Transatlantic Race, finishing the 3,000-mile course in under 12 days. For the RORC Caribbean 600, Club 5 Oceans will race with 10 crew, mainly from Russia. Christian Guyader racing Guyader Saveol is taking part in his second RORC Caribbean 600 and has an all-French crew of six. This year’s race is very much unfinished business for Guyader, having failed to complete the course in 2018.

Vincent Willemart’s TS42 Banzai (BEL) will race with just four on board, all from Belgium. Banzai was third in the MOCRA Class for the 2021 Rolex Fastnet Race, beating Argo and Maserati after time correction. Vincent Willemart has a formidable track record racing with the RORC, winning the 2014 RORC Season’s Points Championship overall with his MC34 Azawakh.

Gilles Lamire’s Groupe GCA-1001 Sourires (FRA) is a proven winner; the Ocean Fifty (ex Multi50) won class in the 2019 Transat Jacques Vabres, racing two-handed with Antoine Carpentier. Groupe GCA is all-carbon, flying on foils and capable of 40 knots of boat speed! Lamire is taking part in his second RORC Caribbean 600 having podiumed in 2018 with French Tech Caraîbos.

Selika, skippered by Andrew Bland, is a new concept from the drawing board of Frers Yacht Design. The bluewater performance catamaran has the latest foiling package and will have an international crew of eight. With a full interior and a powerful sail configuration, Selika will revel in big airs and sea state. Aldo Fumagalli’s Neel 47 Minimole (ITA) is a Marc Lombard design. The smallest multihull in the race, with a full interior weighing in at just over 10,000 kg, Minimole has little chance of keeping up with the sporty larger multis, but has a significantly lower MOCRA rating than the entire class.

Dublin Bay brothers Brian and Ian Mathews of the National Yacht Club took third overall in IRC in RORC's Dubai to Muscat (D2M) Race.

In a 360-mile race that features the Strait of Hormuz and avoids Iranian exclusion zones, the brothers – who are both officers with Dublin Bay Sailing Club  – were racing on Phil Ellerby's British XC45 Exodus. 

Another Irish crewed boat in the 29th edition of the race was the Northern Ireland yacht Shebeen (George Dickson). 

Exodus finished the course in four minutes short of two days of racing to be third on IRC and fourth in line honours in the 16-boat fleet.

The race is the longest offshore race in the Gulf region for modern keelboats, sailing around the Musandam Peninsula.

It is organised by the United Arab Emirates Sailing & Rowing Federation (“UAE SARF”) and Dubai Offshore Sailing Club (“DOSC”) in association with the Oman Maritime Sports Committee.

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With nearly 80 entries racing under the IRC Rating Rule, MOCRA and Class40 division the RORC Caribbean 600 is set for its 13th edition.

The race has attracted over 600 sailors from 30 different nations and will start off Fort Charlotte, Antigua on Monday 21 February at 1100 AST (1500 GMT).

Undoubtedly a bucket-list offshore event, the racecourse rounds 11 Caribbean islands, testing the mettle of both crew and craft. The Royal Ocean Racing Club’s classic 600-miler delivers superb winter racing in the Caribbean, with fast angles, ocean swell and tropical temperatures.

“The RORC Caribbean 600 and Antigua is like coming home to family; we just love the event and people. After missing the 2021 event we are absolutely delighted to have so many amazing entries,” says RORC Caribbean 600 Race Director, Chris Stone.

“The competition is going to be intense and we hope this is good sign for our other events later in the year. Although we have so many great events like the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland and RORC Baltic Sea Race in 2022, there is a special place in our hearts for the RORC Caribbean 600. With sun, great trade winds and the Caribbean atmosphere, there is just something for all offshore sailors here,” continues Stone.

Farr 100 Leopard

Monohull Line Honours is likely to be decided by three Maxi Yachts: The Club Swan 125 Skorpios, Verdier/VPLP 100 Comanche, and the Farr 100 Leopard. IRC Super Zero has six versions of the Volvo Open 70 design, plus the 115ft Swan Shamanna, and the Mills 68 Prospector.

After a thrilling finish in the 2022 RORC Transatlantic Race, Maserati, PowerPlay and Argo will lock horns again for Multihull Line Honours. Eleven multihulls are currently entered for the race under the MOCRA Rule and a multitude of proven winners will be in the hunt for MOCRA glory after time correction.

Ten Class40s have answered the call and with explosive speed and close competition, it will be a wild ride for teams from France, USA and Italy. Unquestionably this is a tough race for Class40s; with little sleep or respite for crews due to the multitude of sail changes and harsh conditions.
The overall winner for the RORC Caribbean 600 Trophy is decided by IRC time correction. While the Line Honours contenders will be in the hunt for the double, teams racing in IRC Zero and IRC One have an equal chance of winning the race after time correction.

The RORC Caribbean 600 has a huge variety of wind speed and direction, ever changing by the effects of rounding islands. The overall winner is likely to be the boat that enjoys favourable conditions, raced by a team that produces the best performance - a true sporting challenge.

Two weeks into the RORC Transatlantic Race, three more French teams have crossed the finish line outside Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina. Lady First 3 (FRA) finished under one hour ahead of Tonnerre de Glen (FRA) and in the early hours of the 22nd of January, the Volvo 60 Challenge Ocean (FRA), skippered by Valdo Dhoyer crossed the finish line, just over one hour ahead of Richard Tolkien’s Open 60 Rosalba (GBR). These close finishes, after many days and nights of racing, is indicative of the competition right through the RORC Transatlantic Race fleet. What is more, the overall winner has still not been decided. Several teams that are still racing in the Atlantic are capable of winning the RORC Transatlantic Race Trophy. Ross Applebey’s Oyster 48 Scarlet Oyster (GBR) is 250 miles from the finish. Currently ranked first overall after IRC time correction, Scarlet Oyster is expected to finish the race on Sunday the 23rd of January.

“All OK out here, only 250nm to go! We can nearly smell the rum,” commented Scarlet Oyster’s Ross Applebey. “The Comanche to beat now …. We are not gaining, but importantly, not losing on our target. Finally, the wind came in three days ago, but with the cloud and instability that comes with it. We had a particularly squally night and finally found the upper wind limit of our old AP kite. With a loud bang we blew the head off it in a 30kn+ squall. Grenada is now 250 miles to the finish line and have until 17:25 UTC tomorrow (Sunday 23 January) to get there. If the wind holds, we have a good chance, but the forecast suggests lighter winds could slow us. I am hoping that the wonderful people at RORC can supply us with some well-earned drinks!

“Now just hoping for 15kn plus wind the whole way in. Amazing how after 15 days it can still be so close, tantalisingly so! The crew have been trimming and tweaking relentlessly, more akin to a 3-hour inshore race than a 15 day ocean race. Hopefully our biggest spinnakers can propel us at a little over the 8.6kn we require,” says Applebey in his blog to the race team.

Celebrating dockside with a cold beer - Jean-Pierre Dreau’s Mylius 60 Lady First 3 (FRA) team from the Yacht Club de France. Crew: Robin Caillol, Jean Pierre Dreau, Gilles Fournier, Olivier Gimmig, Jean Paul Mouren, Patrick Joly, Xavier Macaire, Sebastien Mathieu, Corinne Migraine, Christopher Pratt © Arthur Daniel/RORC

Jean-Pierre Dreau’s Mylius 60 Lady First 3 (FRA) is the first team to finish the race from the Yacht Club de France. Lady First 3 completed the race in an elapsed time of 13 days 2 hours 23 mins 32 secs. Jean-Pierre is a well-respected member of the sailing community in Marseille and spoke dockside in Port Louis shortly after the finish:

‘I am very excited to finish the RORC Transatlantic Race,” commented Jean-Pierre Dreau. “Lady First 3 performed well and the crew was excellent. Although the weather was a bit rough and difficult at the beginning, the weather improved in the last few days of the race to give excellent sailing. The warm welcome for arrival was very nice. The Yacht Club de France supports all members who race, both in France and overseas. This is my tenth Atlantic crossing and it is always an adventure with wonderful sailing. Racing for so long with a great crew is delightful. The RORC Transatlantic Race is very special for me because of Covid. For the last two years we have wanted to do this race, so I am very happy to have completed it. Lady First 3 will race in the RORC Caribbean 600 and then return to the Mediterranean.”

Dominique Tian’s Ker 46 Tonnerre de Glen (FRA) finished the race in an elapsed time of 13 days 3 hours 18 mins 34 secs. After time correction Tonnerre de Glen is third in IRC Zero. As the all-French crew celebrated with cold beers, Dominique Tian spoke dockside at Port Louis. Like Lady First 3, Tonnerre de Glen is from Marseille:

“French sailors love offshore racing and the RORC Transatlantic Race is a good opportunity to continue to race after the season is over in the Mediterranean,” commented Dominique Tian. “Tonnerre de Glen will now race in the RORC Caribbean 600 and other regattas in the Caribbean. It is wonderful to race across rather than just deliver the boat, because that is boring. When you race, you are always concentrating on the trim and the helm. In a real race, it is challenging and much more interesting. There will be five boats from Marseille racing in the RORC Caribbean 600, which will be superb! The Tonnerre team have dreamt of racing across the Atlantic and I would encourage more French teams to do the RORC Transatlantic Race.”

Richard Tolkien’s Open 60 Rosalba (GBR) finished the race in an elapsed time of 13 days 21 hrs 5 ins 37 secs. Rosalba was racing with just three crew, Richard Tolkien, Frank Sturm and Neil Brewer: “We sailed as far north as the 31st parallel, while Neil (Brewer) was constantly maintaining our equipment. We did damage some essential sails which affected our performance. Frank Sturm kept our spirits up with excellent meals, especially black bread with avocado for breakfast. The close racing with the fully crewed Challenge Ocean kept us sharp. However, with a crew of three, it takes us about 10 minutes to gybe Rosalba. Well done to the RORC for organising a great race; it is wonderful to return to Grenada and I am looking forward to exploring the island.”

Eleven teams are still racing in the Atlantic Ocean towards Grenada. The next two teams expected to finish the RORC Transatlantic Race are Jacques Pelletier’s Milon 41 L’Ange de Milon (FRA) with 145 miles to go, and Mark Emerson’s A13 Phosphorus II (GBR) with Irish crew onboard, 163 miles from Grenada.

Richard Tolkien’s Open 60 Rosalba (GBR) finished the race in an elapsed time of 13 days 21 hrs 5 ins 37 secs. Rosalba was racing with just three crew, Richard Tolkien (far right), Frank Sturm and Neil Brewer © Arthur Daniel/RORC

On the thirteenth day of the RORC Transatlantic Race David Collins’ Botin 52 Tala (GBR) and Max Klink’s Botin 52 Caro (CH) crossed the finish line outside Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina to complete the RORC Transatlantic Race. The closest battle in the eight-year history of the race came to a dramatic conclusion. The Austrian Ocean Race Project’s VO65 Sisi (AUT) has also finished the race, with news dockside from skipper Gerwin Jansen. OCR 50 Club Five Oceans (FRA) skippered by Quentin le Nabour also finished the race in the early hours of the 20th of January.

Billed as the closest battle within the record fleet for the 2022 RORC Transatlantic Race, IRC Zero did not disappoint. The dismasting of Botin 56 Black Pearl (GER), which has safely made landfall in the Canaries, resulted in two hi-tech fifty-footers battling for class and the overall win.

Tala has won IRC Zero, completing the course in an elapsed time of 11 days 10 hrs 13 mins 9 secs. Tala is also ranked second overall, just over an hour behind the mighty Comanche after IRC time correction. Caro was just an hour behind Tala on the water - a virtual photo-finish after over 3,000nm of racing. Caro is a new Botin design taking part in only its second race and the first transatlantic. Caro is second in IRC Zero and third overall. Despite being disappointed not to win, the Caro team raised a cheer having completed the race. Caro and Tala are relishing the next battle, which will be in February at the RORC Caribbean 600. (NB: Video to follow)

Max Klink’s Botin 52 Caro (CH) team: Mark Bartlett GB, Justin Ferris NZ, Ryan Godfrey AU, Maximilian Klink CH, William Mackenzie AU, Andrew McCorquodale CA, Ian Moore GB, Michael Mueller DE, Jonathan Swain US

Tala is the first modified TP52 to even attempt the RORC Transatlantic Race, let alone win class, and is believed to be the first of its kind to complete a west-to-east race Transatlantic race. Tala has been a familiar competitor for the RORC for several years. However, the boat was specifically modified for the race.

Tala’s skipper and owner David Collins spoke dockside: “It all started when Pete Redmond (Tala crew) jokingly said let’s do the RORC Transatlantic Race and I said ‘why not?’ We have always dreamed of sending-it downwind for days, so I decided to do this race and then the RORC Caribbean 600.”

Once the decision to race was made, Tala was modified in her home port of Hamble UK, specifically for additional waterproofing. Work included making a bespoke main hatch enclosure and additional bilge pumps below decks. Tala was then sailed over 1,500nm to Lanzarote for the start.

“We did get to send it for a few days at the start and we enjoyed it,” continued David Collins. “A low-pressure system affected the race and our fleet had different views about what to do. Black Pearl went south and Caro to the north. Tala’s navigator, Campbell Field didn’t like the extra distance around the top, but we wanted the slingshot from the system, so he took the decision to just skirt the low, punching through the pressure band on the way in.”

Tala Tala crossed the finish line in Grenada after the closest battle in the eight-year history of the race came to a dramatic conclusion, with Max Klink's Botin 52 Caro (CH) just one hour behind on the water © Arthur Daniel/RORC

Tala’s course was the most direct, but it meant the team and the boat would experience big conditions with 35 knots and confused seas and an erratic wind direction.

“Tala is a good boat, but she suffered. We were very confident that she would be able to cope with the conditions, but unfortunately the electronics on board were taken out by the water ingress. We lost just about all the electrical systems, including the YB Tracker, our ability to download weather data and the position of other boats. We were becalmed for a while, but we then reached out on a good shift and came powering out of the low into the trade winds.”

With the electronics compromised, Tala was effectively racing by compass and the weather they could eye-ball. The team had no information on their big rival Caro, as David Collins explains.

“We were utterly unaware of the position of any other boat. We were getting no weather reports either,” continued David. “We didn’t know` where Caro was until we got in cell phone range off Grenada. “When we found out Caro was behind us, we were astonished. My bet was they were 20 miles ahead, especially as we had a shocking final 24hrs. We made two back downs and Robbie (Southwell) as a swimmer, trying to clear weed from our rudder. I was really down, but then elated to find out that we had got the win.

“It was really nip and tuck with Caro and I am very sentimental about this race. Sometimes you get a great boat like Tala and you just want to do it justice. Tala is a cracking boat, a joy to sail but now it’s time to go back to my wife and two kids! We have a lot of work to get ready for the RORC Caribbean 600, but I am sure the lads will do it. The RORC have done a brilliant job organising this race, it has been a great experience. A massive think you to the Tala crew, they are a solid bunch of lads and we will enjoy a couple of days in Grenada.”

"Tala is a cracking boat, a joy to sail, but now it’s time to go back to my wife and two kids!" said David Collins after finishing the race in Grenada © Arthur Daniel/RORC