Antigua provided optimal conditions with trade winds reaching high teens during the final day of racing for the IMA Maxi class at the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s Nelson’s Cup. The two coastal races, covering 20 miles and 10 miles respectively, were set against the backdrop of the impressive coastal scenery, specifically the iconic Fort Charlotte, where the race committee operated under the leadership of Nigel Biggs.
In the first race, Karel Komárek’s V secured the pin, closely followed by Chris Flowers’ Galateia and Joost Schuijff’s Leopard 3. V achieved victory just 19 seconds ahead of Leopard 3 under IRC corrected time. Captain Jack Bouttell described the race as highly competitive, crediting their strategy for success with a strong initial position that allowed them to maintain control throughout.
Wendy Schmidt’s Deep Blue placed fifth in this race, resulting in a narrow point differential between her and Leopard 3, intensifying the competition for the final race.
The second race also saw Galateia winning the pin with Leopard 3 positioned above her and V in between. Tactical adjustments were paramount as the teams jostled for position against the backdrop of large boats navigating closely. Chris Nicholson from Leopard 3 highlighted the intense atmosphere of the race, describing it as high-end racing amid competitive manoeuvres.
Ultimately, Leopard 3 clinched the second race victory with more than two and a half minutes lead based on IRC corrected time, securing the overall IMA Maxi prize in the RORC Nelson’s Cup by just two points over Deep Blue. Galateia rounded out the podium in third place.
Post-race, Leopard 3’s owner, Joost Schuijff, expressed pride in their performance, emphasizing the team’s ongoing development and the inclusion of young, skilled sailors. Chris Nicholson noted a strong day for the team, showcasing their resilience in a tightly contested series.
The prizegiving took place at the Admiral’s Inn, celebrating Leopard 3’s victory alongside second and third place finishes by female skippers, highlighting their prominence in the sport. Looking ahead, racing will continue with the Antigua 360 race, followed by the RORC Caribbean 600 starting on 23 February.
James Boyd/IMA
RORC Caribbean 600 website: http://caribbean600.rorc.org
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