MOD 70 Argo’s participation in the RORC Caribbean 600 is uncertain following the recovery from their capsize on Friday.
Maserati Multi 70 and its direct rival Argo were racing around the island as training for the RORC Caribbean 600 when the wind suddenly got stronger and the American trimaran, skippered by Jason Carroll (USA), capsized.
The multihull was recovered with the help from Carlo Falcone, proprietor of the Antigua Yacht Club Marina, with an intact mast, but it is not known if the other damage can be repaired in time for the race start Monday afternoon (UTC).
The 11th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600, organized by the Royal Ocean Racing Club, will start Monday 18 February, at 11.00 local time (15.00 UTC and 16.00 Italian time).
The forecasts indicate stable Trade Winds, between 16 and 20 knots, for the whole race course.
Alongside Giovanni Soldini (ITA) and Maserati Multi 70, more than 700 sailors from all around the world and yachts from over 20 nations will participate in the 600-mile-long race around 11 islands in the Lesser Antilles, in the Caribbean.
Multi70 Maserati has been in fine form taking line honours in the Rolex Middle Sea Race and the RORC Transatlantic Race.
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.
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 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.
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.
CLASS START TIMES:
1100 IRC 2, IRC 3, CSA
1110 IRC 1 & Class40
1120 IRC Zero & Superyacht
1130 Multihull
All yachts will carry a tracker so you can follow the progress of the whole fleet, particular class or individual boat: http://caribbean600.rorc.org/Race-Information/Tracking/
Related Posts:
