Crews enjoyed the 2017 RORC Caribbean 600 Welcome Party with dancing to the sounds of Panache Steel Orchestra and 1761 band © Tim Wright/Photoaction.com
With less than 48 hours to go, it’s a busy scene around the docks as crews prepare for the start of the RORC Caribbean 600 on Monday 20th February, but on Saturday evening it was time to officially open the race and welcome everyone to Antigua for the 9th edition.
Skippers from the 80 boats attended a briefing at Antigua Yacht Club where RORC Racing Manager, Nick Elliott highlighted some key points for the race and a few administrative requirements before they head off. It was standing room only for the 200 or so highly experienced skippers and navigators from the record fleet, but all were fully focused, listening attentively to the briefing for the 600-mile offshore race.
Nick Elliott, RORC Racing Manager addresses the 80 Skippers in the 2017 RORC Caribbean 600 at the Skipper’s Briefing © Tim Wright/Photoaction.com
Following the briefing, race crews and guests were welcomed to the official opening at Antigua Yacht Club which was packed to capacity. RORC Commodore, Michael Boyd introduced the guest of honour, Shirlene Nibbs, Consultant in the Ministry of Tourism who welcomed competitors from 30 different nations to Antigua and Barbuda. She ended her speech with a quote from Mark Twain.”
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So, throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbour, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
Shirlene Nibbs, Consultant in the Antigua & Barbuda Ministry of Tourism welcomed crews © Tim Wright/Photoaction.com
Sailors enjoyed a traditional Caribbean welcome with the Panache Steel Orchestra opening the musical entertainment, complimentary drinks and fine Caribbean fayre. The highly acclaimed Antigua Band 1761 then took to the stage and lit the blue touch paper. By the end of the evening the dance floor was buzzing and the second encore produced a giant conga amongst the sailors to give a great finale to a memorable evening.
The 2017 RORC Caribbean 600 starts at 1100 on Monday 20th February 2017. To keep up to date with all the news and to follow the race. www.caribbean600.rorc.org
Crew from Tulip, the Frers Custom 88 from Holland wore matching outfits with a fetching tulip design! ©RORC/Tim Wright/photoaction.com
Asher Otto, Antiguan singing sensation was enjoying the RORC Caribbean 800 welcome party. As lead singer with Itchy Feet, she will perform at the prizegiving. Right: Jack Prendergast ©Tim Wright/photoaction.com
Panache Steel Orchestra kicked off the entertainment © Tim Wright/Photoaction.com
Antiguan sailor, Bernie Evan Wong (centre) has raced in every edition of the RORC Caribbean 600 © Tim Wright/photoaction.com
© RORC/Tim Wright/Photoaction.com
Blogs from the boats, daily race reports, images, videos and news. Follow the action as it unfolds on the RORC Caribbean 600 website.
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Start: Monday 20th February –
1050 (First warning signal)
Fort Charlotte, Antigua will be the starting and finishing point for this sensational 600 mile non-stop yacht race around 11 Caribbean Islands.Class start times:
1100 (1500 UTC) – IRC 2, IRC 3, CSA
1110 (1510 UTC) – IRC 1 & Class40
1120 (1520 UTC) – IRC Zero and CK
1130 (1530 UTC) – Superyachts
1140 (1540 UTC) – MultihullsNote: A Warning Signal will be given 10 minutes before the Starting Signal
1050 (First warning signal)
Fort Charlotte, Antigua will be the starting and finishing point for this sensational 600 mile non-stop yacht race around 11 Caribbean Islands.Class start times:
1100 (1500 UTC) – IRC 2, IRC 3, CSA
1110 (1510 UTC) – IRC 1 & Class40
1120 (1520 UTC) – IRC Zero and CK
1130 (1530 UTC) – Superyachts
1140 (1540 UTC) – MultihullsNote: A Warning Signal will be given 10 minutes before the Starting Signal
80 yachts will take the start on Monday 20 February. The First Warning Signal is at 1050, but yachts will leave the dock much earlier to make their way to the start area. The start sequence with nine different classes will take 50 minutes to complete.
Spectators are in for a treat. The 9th edition of the race will showcase an astounding fleet of yachts: from record-breaking high performance racers to magnificent schooners, fast production yachts and foiling multilhulls.
Due to the size of the yachts and the sheer number competing, considerable sea room is needed to manoeuvre and a team of highly experienced volunteers will act as on-the-water marshals maintaining an Exclusion Zone to keep spectator boats at a safe distance from the yachts racing.
Watch from the water:
For those wishing to watch the race from the water, please note that there will be an Exclusion Zone around the starting area effective from 1030 to 1200 on Monday 20 February 2017.
The safety of spectator vessels and competitors is paramount and therefore Marshal Boats displaying a white flag with a red “M” will be policing the exclusion zone as per the diagram below.
The safety of spectator vessels and competitors is paramount and therefore Marshal Boats displaying a white flag with a red “M” will be policing the exclusion zone as per the diagram below.
Watch from the shore:
The yachts will be starting south of Fort Charlotte on Monday 20 February. Those left on land can get a wonderful view from there, or from Shirley Heights. The starting line is formed between an orange triangle on Fort Charlotte and an orange cylindrical Outer Distance Mark approximately 0.50nm south of Fort Charlotte. The Race Committee may adjust this position with reference to the wind direction on the day of the start. Fort Charlotte is at the eastern entrance to English Harbour above the Pillars of Hercules and below Shirley Heights.
There’s also a chance to catch a glimpse of the boats leaving Falmouth Harbour from Pigeon Beach and the boats leaving English Harbour from Galleon Beach from 0930 onwards. Boats will be gathering in the start area from around 1000, so get there early to get the best view. The start sequence begins at 1050.
Join the Virtual Race:
If you can’t make the race but want to compete against thousands of ‘armchair sailors’ around the world, join the RORC Caribbean 600 Virtual Regatta now. Test your skills, but beware, you will be hooked as the delights and frustrations of the course become apparent.
Join the Virtual Regatta HERE: http://click.virtualregatta.com/?li=4559
