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RORC Caribbean 600 for Dummies
Mike Broughton has competed in 16 Fastnets, 10 Sydney Hobarts and 8 Middle Sea Races, and is now getting organized for the RORC Caribbean 600, a 600nm non-stop race around 11 Caribbean Islands which starts on February 22.
“The RORC Caribbean 600 is attracting some of the world’s best yachts. Top professionals who have done the race before have often found it a tougher race than they had anticipated,” comments Broughton, navigator for the 8th edition of the race on the new Baltic 115, Nikata. “With tropical heat and humidity, combining with tradewinds and unremitting waves, the conditions are physically demanding and there are a lot of sail changes, especially in the first 24 hours.”
Broughton, who will be taking part in his sixth RORC Caribbean 600, gives a detailed account of the course: (description assumes a normal Trade Wind direction of 080º – 120º)
Fort Charlotte to Green Island (approx. 7nm)
You are straight into the action right from the start just outside English Harbour with a beat up to Green Island. With land on the left bending the wind, it makes a lot of sense to stay close to the cliffs; there is also less adverse current inshore.
Green Island to Barbuda (approx. 29nm)
With about a 125º true wind angle, the leg to Barbuda is fast with reaching sails. There are two banks to watch out for; Three and Four Fathom Bank, which are just to the left of the rhumb line which is generally the best place to be to anticipate the wind freeing as the wind bends around the southern side of Barbuda, about four miles prior to the mark. Barbuda is the only island we race round that is flat, so you won’t see it until about six miles off.
Barbuda to Nevis (approx. 50nm)
After gybing at the Barbuda mark, it should be a broad reach to the bottom of Nevis. This year the trades have tended to be a bit lighter and are usually lighter still around sunset and sunrise. The approach to Nevis can be close to the south, but ca