From Scuttlebutt Sailing News

Thirteen boats representing the USA will be competing in the 2018 RORC Caribbean 600, with a record-breaking fleet of 90 yachts starting the 10th edition from Antigua on Monday February 19.

The 600nm non-stop course around 11 Caribbean Islands has attracted past winner George Sakellaris’ Proteus Maxi 72 (overall winner in 2016 and in 2014 with his previous RP72 Shockwave), Ron O’Hanley’s Cookson 50 Privateer and George David who secured victory with Rambler 100 in 2011 and who still holds the monohull record for the race. Last year David took line honours with Rambler 88.

The race course delivers a tough challenge, famous for numerous sail changes, manoeuvres and navigational conundrums. The USA holds the record for securing the coveted RORC Caribbean 600 Trophy, presented to the overall winner under IRC. Out of nine editions of the race, six have been won by American owners.

Event Details – Entry List – Facebook

PAST RESULTS: RORC CARIBBEAN 600 TROPHY – IRC OVERALL
(Best best corrected time under IRC)

2017 – Hap Fauth, JV72, Bella Mente (USA)
2016 – George Sakellaris, Maxi 72, Proteus (USA)
2015 – Hap Fauth, JV72, Bella Mente (USA)
2014 – George Sakellaris, RP72, Shockwave (USA)
2013 – Ron O’Hanley, Privateer, Cookson 50 (USA)
2012 – Niklas Zennström’s JV72, Rán (GBR)
2011 – George David, Rambler 100, JK 100 (USA)
2010 – Karl C L Kwok, Beau Geste, Farr 80 (HKG)
2009 – Adrian Lee, Lee Overlay Partners, Cookson 50 (IRL)

THE ROYAL OCEAN RACING CLUB
Established in 1925, The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) became famous for the biennial Fastnet Race and the international team event, the Admiral’s Cup. It organises an annual series of domestic offshore races from its base in Cowes as well as inshore regattas including the RORC Easter Challenge and the IRC European Championship (Includes the Commodores’ Cup) in the Solent.

The RORC works with other yacht clubs to promote their offshore races and provides marketing and organisational support. The RORC Caribbean 600, based in Antigua and the first offshore race in the Caribbean, has been an instant success. The 10th edition will take place in 2018. The RORC extended its organisational expertise by creating the RORC Transatlantic Race from Lanzarote to Grenada, the first of which was in November 2014. This year, the RORC Transatlantic Race is part of the Atlantic Anniversary Regatta.

The club is based in St James’ Place, London, but after a merger with The Royal Corinthian Yacht Club in Cowes, now boasts a superb clubhouse facility at the entrance to Cowes Harbour and a membership of over 4000.

Source: RORC Press/J2 Communications
For more on this story go to: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2018/02/13/strong-usa-contingent-caribbean-600/