Sailing

Sparkling conditions prevailed for the start of the 12th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600, organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club. The impressive 73-boat fleet gathered outside Antigua's English Harbour, relishing the prospect of racing 600nm in stunning conditions. A light south easterly breeze gave a gentle start to the race, but the fierce competition was exemplified by highly competitive starts right through the fleet.

With less than two weeks until the start of the 12th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600, boats and crew are beginning to arrive in Antigua. The marinas in Falmouth and English Harbour are starting to buzz with activity as sailors from all over the world arrive to prepare their yachts for the 600-mile race around 11 Caribbean islands. Around 70 teams will be taking part with well over 700 sailors competing. 

The Medemblik Regatta, formerly known as Spa, Holland or Delta Lloyd Regatta, can once again become a global event in Olympic Sailing. Thanks to the new plans of World Sailing, this spring classic regatta gets a prominent and protected position on the international calendar. As the most successful sailing country of  2018 and 2019, the Netherlands deserves a world-class home competition. TIG Sports, Royal Netherlands Yachting Union and Municipality Medemblik aim to have such a world class event again in 2021 with participants in all Olympic classes on their way to Paris 2024.

From the 27th to 29th of March 2020, the R&ZV Naarden and J/80 Benelux Class Association will host the 2020 Open Dutch J/80 Championship (“ONK”) in the gorgeous waters of the Marker Meer, near the Harbour of Naarden.

With a rich history of international competition from Chicago, Breskens, San Francisco, Newport Rhode Island and The Solent, the J/111 World Championship regatta returns to beautiful Cowes for the third time since it was held there for the inaugural event.

In February there is no better offshore race in the world than the RORC Caribbean 600. Racing 600 miles non-stop around 11 tropical islands is a challenge, especially for the largely corinthian teams racing in IRC Two and IRC Three. The race is a test of endurance, boat handling and seamanship, coupled with spectacular racing conditions and stunning scenery. Winning class or making the podium is worthy of a huge celebration. Every team is congratulated dockside by enthusiastic volunteers, cheering the accomplishment of simply finishing the race.

It is clear that in spite of the demanding conditions, everyone is enjoying being back sailing on the high seas, as they tackle their latest record attempt between Hong Kong and London. This morning, this has led to the crew of IDEC SPORT achieving a decent lead of more than 180 miles after the first days of racing over the time set by the holder of the Tea Route record, the 70-foot trimaran, Maserati.

The Sint Maarten Yacht Club Regatta Foundation has appointed a new Race Director for the 40^th edition of the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta.

Saturday 11^th January marked a special day in World ARC history as the 10^th edition of World Cruising Club's round-the-world rally set sail from Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia. 33 yachts assembled at IGY Rodney Bay Marina, marking an end to years of planning and the start of an epic 26,000nm circumnavigation, with crews from 23 different countries sailing their own yachts to some of the world's best cruising grounds.

A lull in finishers and then the midday rush as a northerly hit the 2019 Rolex Sydney Hobart fleet and yachts kept rolling into Hobart throughout the day and night – they just kept coming and continued to do so into this afternoon, with less than 20 left on the race course.