Overall IRC Glory – Leopard 3
Overall victory under IRC for the RORC Caribbean 600 Trophy went to Leopard 3, securing her second overall triumph in the race. The year’s weather conditions suited her strengths, and the modifications made to Leopard, coupled with meticulous teamwork, contributed to the success.
“It’s a surprise to win it,” said Leopard’s Joost Schuijff. “Black Jack was very strong, congratulations to them for line honours. There are other boats on IRC rating that would easily match us. So yes, it’s a surprise but I think it was due to our performance and lack of problems. It was the best ‘600 that we ever sailed here in Antigua.” Laura de Vere, participating in her third race, agreed, stating, “It was super exciting. We are thrilled, over the moon.”
Monohull Line Honours Secured – Black Jack 100
The 100-foot contest between Black Jack 100 and Leopard 3 unfolded as a classic maxi match race. Remon Vos’ RP100 Black Jack 100, skippered by Tristan Le Brun, secured Monohull Line Honours in 1 Day 20 Hrs 31 Mins 36 Secs, yet the race lead oscillated repeatedly. The south-easterly breeze accentuated the contrast between the boats. Leopard 3 excelled upwind in 15–20 knots, while Black Jack 100 thrived on freer angles.
“It’s fantastic when you’re head to head with similar boats. Who wins? You don’t know. That’s important,” Vos remarked. He spoke not of dominance but of collective growth for the Black Jack project, emphasising that, “It’s all about people.”
Multihull Line Honours Triumph – Argo
The MOD70 contest was one of the closest finishes in race history, with Jason Carroll’s MOD 70 Argo completing the course in 1 Day 12 Hrs 01 Mins 46 Secs, defeating Final Final – Zoulou by just over three minutes after over 36 hours of racing, often at speeds exceeding 30 knots.
Carroll commented, “It’s a beautiful race. You’re on your toes the whole time. Every few hours you’re rounding an island or making a decision. Guaranteed breeze, great competition.”
IRC Zero Supremacy – Palanad 4
Mach 50 Palanad 4 – E.Leclerc (FRA) took victory in IRC Zero, with James Neville’s Carkeek 45 Ino Noir finishing a close second, just 9 minutes 32 seconds short. The competition was fierce, with Palanad’s Antoine Magre stating, “I think one word to describe this race is intensity.”
IRC One – Nine Minutes for Rikki’s Triumph
Bruce Chafee’s RP42 Rikki (USA) sealed class victory for the RORC Caribbean 600, finishing just ahead of Xavier Bellouard’s Lift 45 Maxitude (FRA) by a mere 9 minutes 32 seconds. Chafee highlighted teamwork as key to their success.
IRC Two – Belladonna’s Dream Realised
The largest class in the 2026 RORC Caribbean 600 was IRC Two, which proved to be a battle of stamina and steady execution. Richard Dilley’s Grand Soleil 46 Belladonna (GBR) claimed class victory, a fulfillment of a long-held ambition to compete in the race.
MOCRA – Calamity’s Redemption
The Ocean 50 Calamity, skippered by Timo Tavio, won under the MOCRA Rule despite early setbacks. The team displayed resilience and meticulous strategy to finish strong.
Class40 – Competition and Seamanship
Robin Follin’s Solano (FRA) led the Class40 division, but the defining moment came when they responded to another boat capsizing. The Class40 fleet’s quick action to rescue the sailors demonstrated the importance of safety at sea.
The 17th RORC Caribbean 600 will not be remembered for record-breaking extremes. It will be remembered for precision. The 18th edition is scheduled to start from Fort Charlotte Antigua on Monday 22 February 2027.
Louay Habib/RORC
Social Media: #Caribbean600 @RORCracing
More Offshore Sailing stories: Click here
Website: www.caribbean600.rorc.org
