RORC Caribbean 600
About
Organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club in association with the Antigua Yacht Club, this annual offshore race sends a highly competitive international fleet on a non-stop 600-nautical-mile course around 11 Caribbean islands, beginning and ending in Antigua. The first warning signal sounds at Fort Charlotte, English Harbour — placing the race firmly within one of the most celebrated sailing harbours in the world.
The Course
From the start line off Fort Charlotte, the fleet heads north towards a mark off Barbuda before sweeping through some of the most spectacular sailing grounds in the Caribbean: the dramatic volcanic cliffs of Saba, the shores of Nevis, the anchorages of St Barths, and a rounding mark off St Martin before pressing south to Guadeloupe as the most southerly waypoint. The return leg passes Barbuda again and takes the fleet via Redonda before the finish back in Antigua. Apart from two short beats, the course rewards fast, exhilarating downwind sailing under Trade Wind conditions.
Fleet and Format
The RORC Caribbean 600 is part of the Royal Ocean Racing Club's Season Points Championship — the world's largest offshore racing series. The fleet is made up of IRC Offshore boats, Class40s and Multihulls, with over 500 sailors typically competing from around the world. The race is run entirely offshore and non-stop, making English Harbour the sole base of operations for pre-race preparation, check-in and the finish.
Sailing Conditions
The Trade Winds that bless the central Caribbean produce exhilarating conditions throughout the course. By day, competitors sail through turquoise seas with sightings of whales, dolphins and turtles a common occurrence. By night the fleet races in warm breezes under a clarity of stars that few sailing events can match. The combination of the weather, scenery and technical challenge of the course has helped establish the race as one of the most respected offshore events in the international calendar since its inaugural running in February 2009.
For entry, tracking and full race information, visit the official race website at caribbean600.rorc.org or call +1 (268) 460-1799.