RORC Caribbean 600: Fast 50 showdown in IRC Zero and expansion of the RORC Nelson's Cup Series
by Louay Habib 20 Nov 02:16 NZDT
Niklas Zennstrom's Carkeek 52 Rán (SWE) © Tim Wright / Photoaction.com
The stage is set for an electrifying 16th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600, starting Monday 24th February 2025, from Antigua. The early entries in IRC Zero reveal a fierce battle among some of the most advanced offshore racing machines on the planet.
Before the '600, the third edition of the RORC Nelson's Cup Series is now a stand-alone event welcoming more maxi and local Corinthian teams into the fold.
Team Rán prepares for the 2025 RORC Caribbean 600
In the 2024 RORC Caribbean 600, Niklas Zennström's Carkeek 52 Rán (SWE) secured a hard-fought victory in the highly competitive IRC Zero Class. After nearly 63 hours of gruelling offshore racing, Rán edged out its rivals by just three minutes after IRC time correction—a razor-thin margin that showcased the intensity of the competition. This remarkable performance earned Rán an impressive second overall. As anticipation builds for the 2025 RORC Caribbean 600, Team Rán's Tim Powell acknowledges the challenges ahead:
"Time will tell us who comes out on top. There are plenty of boats looking to take our scalp, and as far as I'm concerned, we've got a target on our back. Rán will be competing in the Nelson's Cup Series before the big race; there is no better way to prepare for the big offshore than to race against the opposition in a short series. The Nelson's Cup schedule is very well thought out, so we will be rested and fully tuned-up for the offshore RORC Caribbean 600.
"In the last race we sailed well and made some good tactical choices, but self-development is always key if you want to stay ahead. These types of boats take time to reach their full potential and they're constantly evolving, especially with sail design. We feel pretty comfortable with where we are now and we have confidence in our team, but for the Caribbean 600, we'll make a few little adjustments," concludes Powell.
Olympian and America's Cup sailor Andy Hemmings rejoins Team Rán, bringing a wealth of experience. The team also includes a diverse crew, with a focus on youth development. Bex Gmuer Hornell, a promising young sailor from New Zealand will start her second season with the team and Will Williamson, a student from Southampton University makes his debut for Team Rán.
Powell highlights the strategic crew adjustments made for this race: "The Caribbean 600 has so many corners, so we've brought on more trimmers and foredeck crew. Andy Hemmings has raced with us for many victories in the past, and it's fantastic to have him back, especially with Bouwe (Bekking) unavailable due to prior commitments with Maxi 72 Balthazar. Bex has been with us for a year and a half and continues to grow as a sailor. Will, taking on his first race, will be helping on the bow." Looking ahead to the competition, Powell adds: "IRC Zero will be one of the most competitive classes in the 600. With good breeze and such an exciting racecourse, it's going to be a lot of fun."
Jon Desmond upgrades to PAC 52 Final Final for 2025 RORC Caribbean 600
Jon Desmond's new ride, Final Final (USA) has an enviable bloodline. The PAC52, as Warrior Won, took overall victory under IRC in the 2024 RORC Transatlantic Race and the 2022 RORC Caribbean 600, as well as top results all over the world in the Rolex Middle Sea Race, Rolex Sydney Hobart and Rolex Fastnet Race.
RORC and NYYC member, Jon Desmond reflecting on the move from his previous boat comments: "We have done the last two 600's on a Mills 41, also named Final Final, and upgraded to the PAC 52 which we have been racing this summer. We are excited to do the '600 again and hoping it will boost our performance for the West to East Transatlantic and next summer's Admiral's Cup; both on our schedule. I want to tackle the world's most challenging offshore races and this boat had been extremely successful around the world, so it is the perfect fit at the right time."
In the 2024 edition, Desmond's Mills 41 was the lowest-rated boat in IRC Zero, yet managed an impressive fourth in class against significantly faster competition. He anticipates the PAC 52 will close the gap: "It will be exciting to be a little closer on the water to them this year and that will only add to the thrill of the RORC Caribbean 600. We should be several hours faster which will bring in new strategic factors.
"For instance, we reached the challenging hole at the southern end of Guadeloupe at dawn the past two years, and now we hope to be arriving a few hours before midnight. It will add a fun twist to an awesome course! Antigua is an incredible venue for great breeze and fun sailing. My first Caribbean 600 was in 2023 and I fell in love. You get the waves that let you have some incredible rips. I've sailed all over the Caribbean and Antigua regularly delivers some of the best conditions."
New American TP52 team Summer Storm joins IRC Zero for the 2025 RORC Caribbean 600
The 2025 RORC Caribbean 600 welcomes a formidable new contender to IRC Zero: Andrew Berdon's TP52 Summer Storm (USA). Racing out of Newport, RI, and Mamaroneck, NY during the summer, Summer Storm will make its Caribbean debut with a fresh set of sails, poised to compete against some of the best offshore teams in the world.
Previously known as Outsider, the boat comes with a notable pedigree having claimed overall victory under IRC in the 2020 Caribbean 600. Among the talented crew is Canadian sailor Richard Clarke, a two-time overall winner of the race, with victories on Volvo 70 Wizard (2019) and Warrior Won (2022). This will be Clarke's eighth race and his teams have consistently finished on the class podium.
Clarke reflected on the unique challenges of the race: "This race will trick you into thinking it's always the same - 17 to 22 knots of ENE trade winds, picture-perfect conditions with warm air and water. But it never fails to surprise. A shift in the trades by 10-20 degrees, tricky convergence clouds and squalls or a sudden shutdown can change everything. And let's not forget the islands, each one is a potential quicksand trap. No matter how many times you've raced this course, it's impossible to predict."
The 2025 edition promises fierce competition, with Summer Storm lining up against powerful 50-foot rivals such as Team Rán, the new Daguet 5, and even Clarke's former ride, Final Final (ex-Warrior Won).
"This race attracts top teams every year, and this one is no exception," continued Clarke. "With a class this strong and a course this tricky, sleep will be a precious commodity to spend sparingly. Perhaps we ocean racers are a bit masochistic, but if we're going to suffer, let's do it where the winds are strong and warm, the beers are cold and the smiles are welcoming."
The RORC Nelson's Cup Series: A thrilling prelude to the RORC Caribbean 600
Before the epic 600-mile offshore challenge of the RORC Caribbean 600, sailors will set their sights on the third edition of the RORC Nelson's Cup Series, which is now a stand-alone event with its own prize-giving. Combining inshore races with the exhilarating 360 degrees Round Antigua Race, the Nelson's Cup Series promises intense action on the water, camaraderie ashore and is open to boats that are not competing in the RORC Caribbean 600.
Open to all IRC-rated boats, and a CSA Class - if there are enough entries, the Nelson's Cup Series has already drawn an exciting mix of maxis, international teams and local corinthian entries. Designed to celebrate the spirit of sailing in the Caribbean, the series is a golden opportunity for local crews to compete alongside world-class racers.
With deliberately low entry fees, daily prize-givings and laid-back social events at Antigua Yacht Club, the RORC Nelson's Cup Series is set to deliver exceptional racing and an unforgettable prelude to the main event.
For more information and online entry for the RORC Nelson's Cup Series and RORC Caribbean 600: caribbean600.rorc.org