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Track the race here: http://caribbean600.rorc.org/2014-fleet-tracking.html
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Feb 27 – Spirit of Adventure – Last tack to the finish of the Caribbean 600
One last tack to the finish is all it took for the Canadian Team to finish the race.
Rated under CSA (Caribbean Sailing Association) the Volvo 60 is making tracks to the finish. Expected at the dock by noon Atlantic time skipper Derek Hatfield is very happy with the results. The guys on board are really happy with the accomplishment, we took a totally amateur crew through the 600nm course that was riddled with thunderstorms and clouds that would either steal the wind or would hold gusts”.
Although Spirit of Adventure will be first in fleet across the line in the CSA only division it will be some time before we know our final standing. Nothing though can take away this accomplishment for everyone on-board the boat.
- Watch the finish here: http://caribbean600.rorc.org/2014-fleet-tracking.html
- Check the website here: http://caribbean600.rorc.org/
Congratulations to the crew aboard Spirit of Adventure for a course well sailed.
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Feb 26 – First Boats In The Caribbean 600 are Home
Bella Mente, Hap Fauth’s JV72, crossed the finish line in Antigua to take Monohull Line Honours for the 2014 RORC Caribbean 600 on Wednesday 26th February in an elapsed time of 48 hours, 5 mins, 44 seconds.
Rambler, George David’s RP90, crossed the finish line in second place on Wednesday 26th February in an elapsed time of 48 hours, 16 minutes. Rambler was swiftly followed by…
Shockwave, George Sakellaris’s RP72, which finished third on the water with an elapsed time of 48 hours, 18 mins, 26 seconds. Shockwave finished just 2 minutes 26 seconds after Rambler.
Watch the video of the start and read more…
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Feb 25 – Tuesday, 13:50
At 0700 local time, on Day Two of the RORC Caribbean 600, George David’s RP90, Rambler, had opened up a four mile lead on the water from Hap Fauth’s JV72, Bella Mente. Rambler’s water-line length is a big advantage on the longest reaching leg of the course and the American Maxi is expected to extend that advantage during the day, on the water at least.
For the Canadians and a video of the start; Read more…
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Ron O’Hanley’s American Cookson 50, Privateer has come out fighting in defence of their IRC Overall win last year. Privateer leads the entire fleet on time correction, but the leaders on the water are pulling away fast.
The Americans; George David’s RP90, Rambler, Hap Fauth’s JV72, Bella Menteand George Sakellaris’ RP72, Shockwave, have smoked through the first 80 miles of the course.
The 3 powerful yachts have been attaining a VMG of 15 knots since the start, hitting over 20 knots of boat speed in the gusts and waves.
Canada’s Spirit of Adventure continues to lead her fleet.
The lead boats were approaching the southern tip of Nevis at 1700, flying spinnakers and set to round Nevis at dusk.
One of the biggest tactical decisions lies ahead; whether to cut the corner and risk the wind shadow of Nevis, or give the island a good offing to stay in the breeze.
Boats pulling away from the start
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Feb 24 – Canadian’s Lead the Caribbean 600
The Caribbean 600 race has started this morning and Spirit of Adventure has the lead in her (CSA) class. Track the race here: http://caribbean600.rorc.org/2014-fleet-tracking.html
To view only the CSA class, you’ll need to de-select the others.
Zoom in to get a better look at the boats, zoom out to view the course.
The boats are equipped with Yellowbrick trackers so we can follow each tack and jibe that the entire fleet will be making over the next couple of days.
Fingers are crossed for the Canadian crew aboard Spirit of Adventure. Go Canada Go!
Note; it seems that even if you have the appropriate browser you might still get the “Whoops!” Message.”
Just read further down to: “There’s a chance that it might work in your browser, but we can’t guarantee anything. Click here to try.”
If that fails, copy the below URL to word and go from there.
http://caribbean600.rorc.org/2014-fleet-tracking.html
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A team of Canadian sailors from the Frenchman’s Bay Yacht Club in Pickering, Ontario are set to be the sole Canadian entry in the RORC Caribbean 600 aboard the Spirit of Canada Ocean Challenges new Volvo 60 SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE (formerly Amer Sports One).
Co-skippers Derek Hatfield and Chris Stanmore-Major will be joined by an entirely amateur group of 12 sailors from FBYC.
Starting on Monday February 24th from English Harbor in Antigua, 65 racers will navigate around 11 Caribbean islands (see map below) against a fleet of highly competitive yachts for 600 non-stop nautical miles.
Though Frenchman’s Bay Yacht Club is a small club of roughly 150 members geared mostly to cruisers and weekend racers, it has turned out a number of impressive sailors in its 51 year history, including 2 Olympic Sailors (1996 & 2004), 1 Olympic Swimmer (1992 & 1996), and numerous Canadian, North American, and even World Champion sailors! Not too bad for small yacht club that began its existence in only 1962.
This year, a group of 12 Frenchman’s Bay Yacht Club members, past members, and crew members, led by former Commodore Brent Hughes, decided to take a trip of a lifetime.
Most of us do not have any, or very little, ocean sailing experience. And none of us have any experience on a Volvo 60; that is for certain! However, we do have the ability to take a small piece of time out of our busy lives and join in on an adventure of a lifetime.
Follow the race here…
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About The RORC Caribbean 600
- The 6th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600 is proving irresistible to yacht racing teams from all over the world.
- An international fleet of over 40 yachts has now entered the race and around 50 are expected on the start line on Monday 24th February, 2014.
- The northern hemisphere is currently experiencing some of the worst winter weather on record but well over 500 sailors are rubbing their hands together, relishing the prospect of racing around 11 Caribbean islands against highly competitive opposition.
- The Caribbean is, without doubt, one of yacht racing’s most exhilarating playgrounds as warm trade winds and Caribbean swell provide superb sailing conditions.
- The RORC Caribbean 600 course, starting and finishing in Antigua, is designed to provide a challenging, high speed racetrack and its popularity has grown, year on year, since 2009.
To follow the race, please go to: Caribbean 600
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I wonder after this venture whether or not these guys will participate in the LO600?
Sailing With Devious, 2014 