As the sunset over the Caribbean, competitors in the RORC Caribbean 600 prepared for their first night at sea. At 17:00 (local time), the leading boats had rounded the North Sails mark off Barbuda and were reaching west under spinnaker.

Setting an incredible pace were John Burnie and his crew on ORMA 60 Region Guadeloupe. “We are around the North Sails mark power reaching to Nevis, the speedo has barely dropped below 22 knots since we left Barbuda,” explained navigator, Nick Lykiardopulo.

In IRC Class Super Zero, Karl Kwok’s Beau Geste is setting the pace, well clear of the North Sails mark and heading to Nevis at a cracking pace. Richard Oland’s Southern Cross 52, Vela Veloce is second on handicap, but on the water the Canadian boat is having a close battle with Danilo Salsi’s Swan 90, DSK Pioneer Investments – the two yachts were literally bow-to-bow at the North Sails mark. Third on handicap is James Grundy’s Tripp 75, Bella Pita.

In IRC Class Zero, Sir Geoffrey Mulcahy’s Swan 56, Noonmark VI is the early class leader. Behind them, Ondeck’s Farr 65, Spirit of Minerva is winning the battle with two other Farr 65s. Spirit of Isis, crewed by Lloyds Yacht Club, lie in third with the BLESMA crew are not far behind.

IRC Class One has a clear leader after a cracking start by Marc Glimcher’s J 122, Catapult. Just ten miles from the North Sails mark they were well ahead of the other Class One boats and at this very early stage. They are third on handicap for the entire fleet.

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