Argo Claims Multihull Line Honours After Epic MOD70 Duel

ANTIGUA, 25 Feb 2026: Jason Carroll’s MOD70 Argo (USA) has taken Multihull Line Honours in the 2026 RORC Caribbean 600, completing the 600-mile course in an elapsed time of 01 Day 12 Hrs 01 Mins and 46 Secs after a ferocious, race-long battle with Jon Desmond’s MOD70 Final Final – Zoulou, just over three minutes behind.

The two MOD70 trimarans were separated by just one mile at the finish off Fort Charlotte, Antigua – an extraordinary margin after nearly 600 miles of racing flat-out racing around 11 Caribbean islands. What unfolded was not simply a contest of speed, often exceeding 30 knots, but a shifting tactical duel from island to island which was decided by a smart move by Argo in the closing miles.

A Clean Strike Off the Line

Argo won the start by approximately 100 metres, threading the fine gap between the pin end traffic and the cliffs at the Pillars of Hercules.

“We expected it to be crowded,” said Argo’s Jason Carroll referring to the 11-boat multihull start. “We knew we’d be faster than most of the fleet and that we’d have to make our way through. We ducked the line slightly late, but we felt comfortable we could tack and cross. We weren’t sure we’d be across Final Final – Zoulou, but we were, by about a length.”

That early edge translated into a narrow but important lead. At Green Island, Argo was ahead by 1 minute 24 seconds. The margin grew steadily through the northern loop: 8:14 at Barbuda, 11:29 at Nevis, and 11:34 at Saba.

The pace was relentless, behind Nevis, conditions were markedly different from previous editions. “The whole course was different this year,” Carroll explained.

“Normally behind Nevis it’s one of my favourite parts of the race; flat water, 20-25 knots, a fast reach. This time it was a run. We probably did 20 gybes where normally we’d just reach straight to Saba. It became a game of finding pressure in a narrow lane all the way down the west coast of the islands.”

Throughout that northern phase, Argo maintained control. At St. Barts the margin narrowed slightly to 8:36, before stretching again at St. Maarten (12:06). By Tintamarre, Argo appeared firmly in command. But with MOD70 trimarans capable of sustained speeds above 30 knots, no lead is safe.

Staying in the Hunt

While Argo edged ahead in the early stages, Final Final – Zoulou never allowed the gap to grow decisive. Jon Desmond had chartered Zoulou for the race and although he has inshore short course multihull experience at the very top level, racing a MOD70 in the RORC Caribbean 600 was a totally new experience. Desmond was backed up by regular Zoulou crew, but this experience was akin to the first time in space for an astronaut.

“Our expectations were simple,” said Jon Desmond. “We wanted to go around an awesome race course, stay as close to Argo as we could and learn as much as possible. That’s one of the best teams in the world. We’re newer to the boat. The goal was to stay in the hunt and we did.”

“There was a moment where they were 11 minutes ahead,” Desmond reflected. “Eleven minutes looks huge when they’re tiny on the horizon. Then all of a sudden you see them hit a hole, and six minutes later they’re very big again.”

The northern islands became a prolonged sparring session. Sometimes Argo appeared to stretch. At other moments, Zoulou took bold splits, sailing further offshore to search for pressure.

“We snuck back underneath Saba,” Desmond said. “Sometimes these boats look miles apart, but that’s only a couple of miles — and at 30 knots you close that very quickly.” By the time both boats approached Guadeloupe, the race was still alive.

Guadeloupe: The Turning Point

A big moment of the race came in the wind shadow west of Guadeloupe, a section long known for dramatic reversals, often nicknamed the ‘Guadeloupe Casino’.

Argo entered the lee with a comfortable advantage. Their weather models suggested staying inshore would provide the most consistent pressure. It was not.

“Guadeloupe is always our nemesis,” Carroll admitted. “We often get there first and leave last. This time was no different.”

Argo slowed dramatically in patchy breeze. Final Final – Zoulou saw the opportunity and took it, sailing a slightly more offshore lane, finding more pressure and surging past the stricken Argo at 20 knots of boat speed.

“At one point they were almost parked and we were going fast,” Desmond recalled. “It’s amazing how fast it flips. We found a little more breeze maybe a quarter mile outside of them.”

By Les Saintes, Final Final – Zoulou led by 10 minutes 18 seconds, the first time in the race they had genuinely been ahead. “It was the first real chance we had to pounce,” said Desmond. “And we took it.”

The psychological momentum had shifted.

Argo responded quickly. At Les Desirade, the deficit was cut to 5:13. By Barbuda for the second rounding, the margin was down to just 1 minute 10 seconds. But the duel was far from settled.

 What followed was a blistering fight to the finish. Towards Redonda both boats were regularly touching 30 to 35 knots, foils down, full sails, every manoeuvre at full noise.

“It was like driving across the country on a dirt road in the rain with your head stuck out the window,” Desmond said. “Thirty knots apparent in your face the entire time. Absolutely wild.”

At Redonda, the final island before Antigua, Final Final – Zoulou held a 2:56 advantage. Approximately 35 miles of the race remained. Both crews were tired but fully committed to the beat to Antigua. “It was special,” Desmond said. “We were coming out of Redonda like the last round of a boxing match. Toe to toe.”

The Final Beat

The final leg to Antigua became a classic match-race tacking duel. “It was kind of an old-fashioned beat,” Carroll said. “Seventeen to 20 knots of wind, pretty even port and starboard. We probably did 20 tacks trying to get clear air and slowly chip away.”

Both boats matched each other manoeuvre for manoeuvre. Each time one tacked, the other covered.

“These boats take preparation to tack,” Carroll explained. “Everyone has to be involved. It’s not a casual manoeuvre.” Argo had discussed a decisive option beforehand.

“We talked about doing two tacks in quick succession,” Carroll said. “The idea was to catch them off guard.” The moment came in the closing miles.

“We did one tack, got up to speed, and while they were still going through theirs, we put in the second. I think they didn’t have a clean second tack to cover us.” The double-tack created separation. Argo gained clear air and edged ahead.

From there, it was a final sprint to the finish line off Antigua. Argo crossed first. Final Final Zoulou followed just four minutes behind. After nearly 600 miles of racing, the margin was measured in seconds.

Respect Between Rivals

Despite the intensity of the duel, the tone ashore was one of mutual admiration.

“They did an incredible job,” Carroll said of Final Final Zoulou. “For it being their fourth or fifth day on a MOD70, that was really impressive.”

Desmond was equally complimentary. “Argo is one of the best teams in the world,” he said. “The fact that we were duking it out with them for the last couple hundred miles was so special.” The battle had not only tested speed, but seamanship, endurance and tactical precision.

The Argo Team

Argo’s winning crew comprised: Jason Carroll, Chad Corning, Alister Richardson, Brian Thompson, Charles Ogletree, James Dodd, Pete Cumming and Sam Goodchild.

“This team has been together for many years,” Carroll said. “They’ve done a lot of sailing. Every manoeuvre was crisp. They were on point the whole way around.” Carroll was quick to emphasise the collective effort. “That’s what makes the difference in races like this.”

Why the RORC Caribbean 600 Matters
For both skippers, the RORC Caribbean 600 remains one of the most compelling races on the offshore calendar.

“It’s a beautiful race,” Carroll said. “You’re on your toes the whole time. Every few hours you’re rounding an island or making a decision. Guaranteed breeze, great competition.”

Carroll also praised the organisers. “RORC has a long track record of running incredible events. When you make a big investment bringing a boat and crew to a race, you want to know it will be well run. RORC never disappoints.”

Desmond agreed. “I’ll always do this race again,” he said. “It’s just so much fun. There’s a good chance this won’t be the last time you see me on a MOD70.”