By Rebecca Bradbury 18 February 2019
A fine fleet of 75 yachts has set sail from Antigua for the RORC Caribbean 600, the annual 600-mile long race around 11 Caribbean islands.
Now in its 11th edition, the regatta has brought together in excess of 700 sailors from over 20 nations and, after three days of training, racing got underway this morning and is expected to finish on 22 February.
Having departed from Antigua’s English Harbour earlier today, competitors are currently making their way north and will pass the south-west coast of Barbuda before, over the upcoming days, heading south-west towards St Kitts and Nevis and scaling the west coast of the dual-island nation.
The fleet will then pass St Eustatius and Saba before wrapping around St Barth and cruising along the Anguilla Channel, between Anguilla and Saint Martin.
Yachts will then sail southwards until reaching Guadeloupe, where they will wrap around the island and return northwards towards Antigua. After an entire loop of the island, the fleet will have its sights on the finish line back in English Harbour.
The annual regatta is expected to offer up another round of exciting on-water action, with winners from the Olympic Games, America’s Cup and Volvo Ocean Race among the competitors.
Having departed from Antigua’s English Harbour this morning, competitors are currently making their way north
The largest yacht on the line-up is the 24m/78ft sailing yacht NIKATA which, built by Nautor’s Swan in 2005, is currently fighting it out for a top spot in the IRC Zero Class alongside 14 other sailing teams.
A winner of the International Superyacht Society, NIKITA is also part of the global charter fleet. The RORC Caribbean 600 is the perfect event to undertake a regatta charter while those undertaking Caribbean yacht charters, may have the chance to spot the racing live.
The event is also renowned for its lively social scene. A welcome party kicked off proceedings on Saturday night and a prize-giving ceremony and ensuing celebrations will take place on the 22 February.
For further information, speak to your preferred charter broker.
Alternatively, view all luxury yachts for charter in the Caribbean.
Luxury yachts for charter in the Caribbean:
170ft
Alloy Yachts
2008 / 2014
210ft
Perini Navi
2003 / 2023
79ft
Nautor Swan
2005 / 2023
243ft
CRN Yachts
2017
163ft
Heesen
2017
171ft
Sanlorenzo
2017 / 2024
236ft
Tankoa Yachts
2018 / 2023
181ft
Damen Yachting
2016
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