ANTIGUA, – Antoine Magre’s Mach 50 Palanad 4 secured both line honors and the IRC Zero class win at the 2024 RORC Caribbean 600, completing the challenging 600-mile course in a time of 2 days, 10 hours, 32 minutes, and 31 seconds. The victory wasn’t simply about speed, but a testament to consistent performance and tactical adaptability in a race characterized by unusually prevalent upwind sailing.
The IRC Zero class proved to be a fiercely contested battle throughout the race, with Palanad 4 consistently locked in competition with James Neville’s Carkeek 45 Ino Noir (GBR), Niklas Zennström’s Rán (SWE), and Frederic Puzin’s Daguet 5 (FRA). The tight margins underscored the demanding nature of the course and the skill of the competing teams.
This year’s Caribbean 600 presented a unique challenge. Unlike recent editions typically dominated by reaching conditions, the prevailing south-easterly trade winds forced competitors into significantly more upwind and tight-reaching sailing. This shift in conditions fundamentally altered the strategic approach to the race.
Palanad 4’s navigator, Will Harris, recognized the changing dynamic early on. “Probably about 60 percent of the race was upwind or tight reaching,” Harris explained. “That changes the way you approach the course entirely.” For a boat renowned for its downwind prowess, this meant prioritizing discipline and precise execution over outright speed.
The French team faced an early setback when a halyard issue caused them to drop their J1 sail shortly after the start, costing them valuable time – over a mile, according to skipper Magre. However, Palanad 4 responded with composure, steadily regaining ground through meticulous sailing around the northern islands.
The waters surrounding Guadeloupe proved to be a critical turning point in the race. As night fell, land effects created unpredictable pressure and breeze patterns. Ino Noir seized this opportunity, opting for a slightly more offshore route than its rivals.
“We could see the boats ahead on the tracker and how slow they were going,” said Ino Noir’s navigator, Juan Vila. “So we made a plan.” That plan involved positioning the boat one to two miles further offshore, seeking a more favorable pressure band. Vila added, “In Guadeloupe you have to make your call and cross your fingers,” and the gamble paid off, allowing Ino Noir to close the gap and re-enter the fight for the podium.
From La Désirade towards Barbuda, Ino Noir found strong downwind pace, reaching speeds of 18 to 20 knots. However, their momentum was briefly interrupted when they encountered fishing gear near Barbuda, resulting in a time-consuming entanglement. Despite this setback, Ino Noir remained a serious contender heading into the final leg.
With approximately 35 miles remaining to Antigua, at Redonda, Ino Noir deviated significantly from the rhumb line, heading substantially north. This bold move was prompted by an approaching squall. “We weren’t planning to go that far north,” Vila explained. “But there was a big squall on our line. We had to decide whether to go long south or try to go around to the north. We thought going north of the cloud was better. We had a strong shift from the south for a while, so we continued pushing north until we got the shift back to the east.”
The decision to sail additional distance was a calculated risk, aimed at preserving pressure and avoiding the light air behind the squall. For a period, the corrected time calculations tightened dramatically, bringing the IRC Zero victory within reach for Ino Noir. Skipper James Neville expressed pride in his team’s effort, describing it as “a bit of a battle of the Carkeeks.”
however, Ino Noir’s gains weren’t quite enough to overcome Palanad 4’s established advantage. Palanad 4’s victory was built on a foundation of consistent performance across all conditions.
“About 120 degrees true wind angle in 20 knots – that’s where we are very strong,” Harris said. On those reaching legs, the Mach 50 demonstrated decisive speed. “That was sublime,” Magre confirmed. Importantly, Palanad 4 also performed well on the stronger upwind sections late in the race. “The windier it gets, the better we go upwind,” Magre said.
Across the 600 nautical miles, Palanad 4 maintained a high level of execution. “We didn’t sail perfect,” Magre acknowledged. “But we were on point most of the time.” That consistency proved to be the deciding factor.
The win held particular significance for Antoine Magre, as he dedicated it to his family. “My father couldn’t race with us this time,” he said. “As we lost my uncle last week. The IRC Zero win was dedicated to him.” The victory, was not only a testament to the team’s sailing prowess but also a poignant tribute to a personal loss, adding an emotional layer to their accomplishment.
Rán completed the IRC Zero podium, demonstrating the enduring competitiveness of Niklas Zennström’s team in this challenging offshore classic.
