Grins all round as first yachts finish the RORC Caribbean 600
by Louay Habib 21 Feb 2013 06:07 GMT
20 February 2013
Mike Slade's crew on ICAP Leopard were enjoying a cold beer in the Antigua Yacht Club yesterday and Leopard's owner, Mike Slade, was really enjoying winding down after a tough race in which ICAP Leopard took Line Honours for the second time: "That was definitely the toughest of the three races I have done, but I absolutely love this race; the course, the weather and the welcome we receive back in Antigua is just the best, anywhere. The RORC Caribbean is one of the premier yacht races worldwide and ICAP Leopard will definitely be back next year."
Peter Aschenbrenner's 63ft trimaran has been announced as the winner of the RORC Caribbean 600 Multihull Class. Lloyd Thornburg's Gunboat 66, Phaedo, was desperately close to taking the title for the second time but crossed the finish line at 13:31:09, less than an hour behind Paradox on corrected time.
"I have to say I was surprised that we beat Phaedo," admitted Peter Aschenbrenner. "It is very difficult to rate multihulls because they are so different, but we have now raced Phaedo in light airs and heavier breeze and both times the corrected result has been mighty close, so I guess the rating must be working."
Phaedo's owner, Lloyd Thornburg, was delighted to see Paul Aschenbrenner dockside, as "Paradox is a quick boat, I noticed Peter didn't have much of a suntan, he doesn't get to spend too long in a boat that fast!"
Filip Balcaen's Baltic 112, Nilaya, completed the race this afternoon. The crew included sailors from the Volvo Ocean Race including Bouwe Bekking calling tactics. Filip has been sailing with the same crew for many years, but this was his first RORC Caribbean 600.
"We have competed in quite a number of races, so we are all well used to each other," commented Filip Balcaen. "We wanted to be conservative without much damage and we have done that. We always race to win but also to have fun and we laughed a lot during the race. I have to convince some others Maxi owners to come next year."
Too close to call for overall
The overall winner of the RORC Caribbean 600 Trophy which is raced under the IRC rating system is still undecided. Hap Fauth's American JV72, Bella Mente, finished the race just after noon local time and is currently in pole position. Hap Fauth competing in his first RORC Caribbean 600 was all smiles dockside, but the canny American knows that the champagne will have to be kept on ice.
Although several yachts have a mathematical probability of winning overall, Ron O'Hanley's American Cookson 50, Privateer, and the Schooner, Adela skippered by Greg Perkins, have a realistic chance of beating Bella Mente to lift the RORC Caribbean 600 Trophy.
caribbean600.rorc.org
Phaedo had a phenomenal race (from Team Phaedo)
With an absolute bumper fleet of 54 in this year's RORC Caribbean 600 Lloyd Thornburg's Phaedo did an exceptional race. Finishing over 6 hours faster than his last entry in 2011. This year saw some of the worlds fastest superyachts compete. Phaedo was the 5th boat over the line ahead of big maxi yachts such as Adela and Athos, a Swan 90, two RP 78's, a Tripp 75', two 90'+ maxis, and a host of other grand prix keelboats... and finishing days ahead of others.
After holding the lead on the Nigel Irens designed trimaran Paradox for almost the whole race they finished on corrected time in 2nd place in the multihull fleet.
The team are happy, tired and emotional after such a challenging offshore race.
Lloyd who put in stretches as long as 9 hours on the helm is extremely appreciative to his captain Paul Hand and his team led by Brian Thompson, for the work in preparing the boat, and their work during and after race.