The second day of racing at the 2026 RORC Nelson’s Cup Series saw a steady easterly breeze of 16 knots, providing excellent conditions for competitors after a rainy first day. The RORC Race Committee organised two exciting races off Fort Charlotte on Antigua’s south coast.
The course featured a deep-water mark, Rupert, positioned 2nm offshore. Racing conditions allowed for exhilarating reaches into the Caribbean Sea before the fleet returned towards Nelson’s Dockyard, concluding under the dramatic Pillars of Hercules.
In the IRC Maxi Class, Wendy Schmidt’s Botin 85, Deep Blue, dominated with victories in both races. The first, Race Four, was clinched by just three seconds over Chris Flowers’ RP100 Galateia after IRC time correction. Jono Swain, part of Deep Blue’s crew, noted the importance of teamwork and the positive atmosphere within the team, attributing their success to recent modifications that enhanced the boat’s performance.
In the IRC Two class, Vic Cox & Peter Dunlop’s J/122 Mojito also won both races, marking a successful outing for the second consecutive year. Cox acknowledged the tight racing conditions but credited the team’s focused strategy on both upwind and downwind legs.
Bruce Chafee’s RP42 Rikki experienced a mixed day, finishing fifth in Race 3 but bouncing back with a win in Race 4, maintaining a narrow lead in its class. Chafee highlighted the team’s resilience following a navigational error in the earlier race as key to their comeback.
The upcoming races promise further challenges, with the IRC Maxi Class continuing its series on 19 February, while the rest of the fleet prepares for the 48nm Antigua 360 Race featuring a diverse array of competitors.
For more information regarding the ongoing series, visit https://caribbean600.rorc.org/.
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