Foilers and non, big boats and small, the RORC Caribbean 600 continues to go from stength-to-strength as a ‘bucket list’ race
The 2017 RORC Caribbean 600 started in magnificent conditions with the largest ever offshore fleet assembled in the Caribbean enjoying sparkling conditions.
Close to 900 sailors from 30 different nations competed in the ninth edition of the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s classic offshore race. Ahead of the race start there looked to be any number of interesting matchups across the classes. But, once again it was the battle between two MOD70 trimarans that where the talk of the town. Phaedo3 has been the form MOD70 for a couple of seasons but with the foiling package on Masterati developing well – though currently only usable on one tack – hopes of a surprise win were high.
The 2017 edition will be remembered for unusual weather conditions, with a low pressure system sending the wind direction spinning through 360º of the compass.
EPIC WIN FOR BELLA MENTE
The all-American Maxi72 battle in the RORC Caribbean 600 lived up to expectation with Hap Fauth’s Bella Mente and George Sakellaris’ Proteus enjoying an epic match race. The lead in the Maxi72s changed hands on seven occasions during the race. Bella Mente counted 85 sail changes and at one point, both yachts were over canvassed, smoking along at 30 knots in a gigantic squall. Bella Mente crossed the finish line just 14 minutes ahead of Proteus to win IRC Zero and the RORC Caribbean 600 Trophy for the best time after IRC correction for the fleet.
“We are beat; there is nothing left as the whole team gave 120% or more...unbelievable!” smiled Hap Fauth. “We are just delighted to have prevailed. We had a match race for 500 miles with Proteus and that is a really well sailed boat.”
MOD70 NAIL-BITER
Esta historia es de la edición April 2017 de Yachts & Yachting.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición April 2017 de Yachts & Yachting.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Super, smashing, great
How do you stand out in one of the most competitive sectors of boat building? Sam Jefferson steps aboard the Dufour 390 to find out
ST PETER PORT - GUERNSEY 49°27.19'N, 002°32.00'W
This haven on Guernsey is the ideal starting point to explore the beauty of the Channel Islands, as Emma Bamford discovers
Round the Island Q&A
Dave Atkinson, director of the Round the Island Race, now postponed until the autumn, explains some decisions and breaks down misconceptions about the race in a revealing chat with Rupert Holmes.
The rest is Istria
Nicola Beykirch headed to Venice in search of a cheap winter berth and endured the hardship of sailing the length of the Croatian coast en route
Grinding to a halt
Sent home from warm-weather training in Sardinia amid Covid-19 restrictions, grinder Freddie Carr updates us on what is now for INEOS TEAM UK and the America’s Cup
From a distance
Rob Peake looks at what ‘sailing’ we can do via distance learning courses and online regattas
Flying the flag
Her rise through the ranks has been meteoric and her helm Charlotte Dobson calls her ‘an absolute weapon’. Rob Peake meets 49erFX crew Sakia Tidey
Eire on a shoestring
The Irish sea deserves respect, but the rewards of a summer cruise can be great, as Don Smith notes
Ace Your Club Race
Quirky courses and mixed fleets - Mark Rushall talks tactics and sorts strategy for club race situations
WIZARDS IN OZ
After Ainslie’s spectacular series debut, ROB KOTHE speaks to SailGP skippers on the lessons learned in Sydney, and finds out what’s next from Russell Coutts
