The RORC Caribbean 600 is a race of fine margins. Across countless tactical corners, preparation, positioning and playbook calls will decide who thrives.
The 17th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600 is set to begin on , starting and finishing in Antigua. Race Director Chris Jackson predicts consistent trade wind conditions for the 600-mile race around 11 Caribbean islands.
“The Caribbean delivers some of its most reliable and competitive racing conditions of the year around the Caribbean 600,” says Jackson. “The trade winds typically blowing in the 15 to 25 knot range are expected, giving consistent pressure across the course and rewarding well-prepared teams with tactical, high-performance sailing. Sea states are generally moderate, with manageable swell offshore and flatter water in the lee of the islands. The combination of weather, sea state, islands and corners produces fast sailing with constant tactical choices.”
As teams finalize preparations, insights from veteran racer Brian Thompson offer a glimpse into the strategic complexities of the course. Thompson, a multiple world record holder and competitor in ten RORC Caribbean 600 races – including setting the Multihull Race Record in 2022 aboard Jason Carroll’s MOD70 Argo – emphasizes a pragmatic approach.
“The Caribbean usually delivers reliable trade winds, so most of the time it’s about managing pressure and positioning rather than gambling,” Thompson explains. “We find lifts, headers and acceleration zones around every island, but often the gains come from staying in consistent breeze rather than hunting for a flyer that may not pay.”
Thompson cautions against aggressive starts. “At the start, which is frequently port biased, he warns against over committing to a risky port flyer with cliffs to leeward. “Clear air is king,” says Thompson. “A small lift near the end of Willoughby Bay can help, but only if you are positioned well. Once you’re in that long lane towards Green Island you can be stuck in bad air for miles.”
Navigating the course requires a nuanced understanding of local wind patterns. Around Barbuda, Thompson notes subtle shifts. “You can get freed off at the south end of Barbuda and then headed at the north. There is the potential for a convergence line extending up to the Barbuda mark. Watch what the boats ahead are doing. You can often read the wind pattern from their gybes.”
The approach to Nevis introduces another layer of complexity, with potential for squalls. “You can jibe away from the back of a squall or use the front edge for a shift and extra pressure, but be ready. It’s already been a busy first day and that’s when mistakes creep in.”
The islands of Nevis, St Kitts, Saba and St Martin present a challenging gauntlet of shifting winds. Thompson describes the airflow as akin to water flowing around a rock: “20 degree shifts in the gaps, sudden accelerations and abrupt transitions from reach to beat. Expect it. Have the right sail ready before the header hits, especially in the dark.”
Guadeloupe, a pivotal point in the race, demands careful consideration. “Arriving at night, Katabatic winds can flow downhill under the influence of gravity, so going inshore can work, but getting too far in can result in a disturbed airflow under the high cliffs. If it is after dawn on arrival at Guadeloupe, a local sea breeze can disturb the air flow inshore. However, going offshore seldom works in my opinion, you sail extra miles and still have to manage the wind shadow to make the rounding. Just about every boat will slow down as they arrive at Guadeloupe, effectively a new race starts there.”
Thompson’s overarching advice is a testament to the demands of offshore racing: “Protect the boat, protect the crew, stay hydrated, get some sleep and sail in the best pressure you can find. The teams that manage transitions cleanly and stick to the solid options usually come out on top.”
Beyond the tactical considerations, the RORC Caribbean 600 also showcases meticulous preparation. RORC Commodore Deb Fish, racing aboard Astrid de Vin and Roeland Franssens’ Pegasus 50 Sedem, exemplifies this dedication. Fish, a back-to-back winner of the RORC Season’s Points Championship alongside Rob Craigie, emphasizes the importance of a thorough approach.
“The biggest challenge for Rob, Simon and I will be stepping back into the role of crew rather than co-skippers,” says Fish. “But the advantage is that we all think like skippers. There’s huge mutual respect, and I’m really looking forward to sailing with people I’ve raced against for years.”
Preparation for Sedem has been extensive. “We’ve stripped several carloads of cruising kit off the boat, worked through the Special Regs checklist, and familiarised ourselves with every system from VHF to electric winches.”
Navigation will be a key focus. “I’ve got four sets of notes from past races and Roeland knows the course inside out. Every island has a wind shadow, and of course the big call is how to pass Guadeloupe. Astrid and Roeland have even anchored in its lee to study the conditions.”
Fish acknowledges the challenges of adapting to a full crew. “When Caribbean squalls hit in the dark, everyone must know their role. We’ll sort sail crossovers and watch systems fast, though with so many corners, I’m not expecting much sleep! We’re here to race hard, but also to enjoy Antigua and one of the great 600-mile classics.”
The RORC Caribbean 600, a cornerstone of the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s Season Points Championship, alongside events like the Rolex Middle Sea Race and the RORC Transatlantic Race, promises a compelling contest of skill, strategy, and endurance. With live satellite tracking and regular updates available on the official website and RORC social media channels, fans can follow the action as it unfolds.
