600 Sensation

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