Canadians Revved for Caribbean 600

Feb 16, 2022

Hermes, a Pogo 12.50 skippered by Morgan Watson (from Canada) with Co-Skipper Meg Reilly (USA) and taken part in the event several times before (this is their 5th)

With just under a week before the start on Monday, the Caribbean 600 crew list includes 34 Canadians sailing on seven different boats including three boats racing under Canadian flag.

In addition to Hermes, Canadian West Coaster, Katy Campbell is skippering Panacea X, a Salona 45 while Gilles Barbot from Atlas Ocean Racing is returning with a new boat – Il Mostro, a Volvo 70.

With nearly 80 entries racing under the IRC Rating Rule, MOCRA and Class40 division, the 13th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600 is set to be an awesome event. The race has attracted over 600 sailors from 30 different nations and will start off Fort Charlotte, Antigua on Monday 21 February at 11:00 AST (15:00 GMT).

IRC3 CSA Start / Photo: Tim Wright

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. It will be a wild ride for ten Class40 teams from France, USA and Italy with little sleep or respite for crews due to the multitude of sail changes and harsh conditions.

Undoubtedly a bucket-list offshore event, the race course 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.

“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.”

The race course rounds 11 islands

The complete list of entries is here: https://caribbean600.rorc.org/Entries/entries-interest-2.html

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.

To follow the RORC Caribbean 600, visit the Royal Ocean Racing Club on social media and the dedicated race website: www.caribbean600.rorc.org