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With a preponderance of power-reaching the Caribbean 600 course is not the best opportunity for two-handed Davids to humble the fully crewed Goliaths. In fact, with solid breeze for much of this year’s edition it was not a great one for the smaller boats generally. Richard Palmer and Jeremy Waitt (above) on their JPK 10.10 Jangada are often among the first on stage at RORC prizegivings, but even they could only manage 24th overall under IRC this time round (however, they did win the two-strong double-handed division!) Even perennial champions Sunrise, winner of the Fastnet and (be honest) the 2021 Middle Sea Race, could only finish 17th overall
Not welcome here
Since last month there has been one significant change in the world with the abhorrent situation in Ukraine, and I’m sure all our members and readers join us in our support of the Ukrainian people and their fight for continued independence. I don’t want this to turn into a piece about politics, but I feel it’s
worth letting all readers know that in line with other sporting bodies the RORC put out the following statement concerning the conflict: ‘The Royal Ocean Racing Club abhors the invasion of Ukraine and extends its wholehearted support to the Ukrainian nation. We endorse the positions taken by World Sailing, IOC, BOA and the RYA. ‘Therefore, until this situation is resolved RORC will not permit
any yachts with identified connections with Russian and Belarusian nationals to participate in any of its events. We will continue to assess the situation and will take any appropriate actions in line with the international community and World Sailing.’ We have also put out a separate joint statement with our
colleagues at UNCL in Paris: ‘The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) and the Union Nationale Pour la Course au Large (UNCL), who jointly own the International Rating Certificate (IRC) rule, abhor the invasion of Ukraine and extend their wholehearted support to the Ukrainian nation.’ Until this situation is resolved we will not admit Russian or
Belarusian-owned yachts or crews to any events that we organise; we are also requesting that our rule authorities around the world do not issue or renew any IRC certificates for any such vessels or yacht owners. We are asking every rule authority to refuse to accept any such entry to any event sailed under IRC regardless of the Notice of Race. We will continue to assess the situation and work with Member National Authorities while respecting their national policies and those of World Sailing. Getting back to racing matters. This year’s Caribbean 600
attracted a gratifying 74 teams with 738 sailors from no fewer than 32 different nations. For our ever more popular Caribbean ‘modern classic’ this represented the most impressive fleet in the brief
64 SEAHORSE
14-year history of the race. Moderate trade winds faded to a lighter breeze during the five days of this year’s race, but that did not stop Jason Carroll’s MOD70 Argo setting a new multihull course record in another thrilling finish with Giovanni Soldini’s Multi 70 Maserati. There was sizzling competition right through all the IRC Classes
and the Class40 Division. The Spanish-skippered ClubSwan 125 Skorpios took monohull line honours after a terrific battle with the VPLP-Verdier 100-footer Comanche, skippered by Australian two-time Tornado Olympic medallist Mitch Booth. Christopher Sheehan’s Pac52 Warrior Wonwas the overall winner,
lifting the RORC Caribbean 600 Trophy for the best corrected time under IRC. ‘Tactically the Caribbean 600 rates as one of the hardest races in the world. It is like a heavyweight boxing match; the lefts and the rights just keep coming at you and you wait for that knockout punch,’ said Warrior Won tactician Richard Clarke. ‘At any moment you can park up and no lead is completely safe until the very end.’ As I’ve mentioned previously all of our RORC races, like the
Caribbean 600, are made possible by the continuing support we get from our partners – in this case the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, Sevenstar Yacht Transport, Rolex, Antigua Yacht Club and Antigua Distilleries. We must always acknowledge the part our other supporters play in delivering such successful and enjoyable events. And of course we also need to thank all the volunteers on the
ground who are hard at it working in shifts 24 hours a day to monitor the fleet, man the start and finish lines… and greet every boat at the dock with a case of beer and a welcoming smile. The London Clubhouse is now getting back into full swing, while
the Cowes Clubhouse will be reopening in April after a short programme of upgrades to the facilities, including the addition of two new ensuite bedrooms. It has been a busy winter and we look forward to welcoming you to both of our major venues throughout the year. Meantime, we have a racing programme to get started… Jeremy Wilton, CEO
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RICK TOMLINSON
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