Today, February 20, saw Mike Slade’s crew on charter yacht ICAP Leopard enjoy a cold beer in the Antigua Yacht Club. The Leopard’s owner, Mike Slade, was really enjoying winding down after a difficult competition at this year’s RORC Caribbean 600 in which sailing yacht ICAP Leopard took Line Honours for the second time.

Phaedo yacht's Lloyd Thornburg invites Peter Aschenbrenner to enjoy a celebratory glass of champagne on board to toast the 63ft trimaran yacht Paradox as winners of the Multihull Class Credit: Ocean Images/Team Phaedo

“That was definitely the toughest of the three races I have done, but I absolutely love this race; the course, the weather and the welcome we receive back in Antigua is just the best, anywhere. The RORC Caribbean is one of the premier yacht races worldwide and ICAP Leopard will definitely be back next year,” said Mike Slade.

Peter Aschenbrenner’s 63ft trimaran yacht Paradox has been announced as the winner of the RORC Caribbean 600 Multihull Class. Lloyd Thornburg’s Gunboat 66 yacht Phaedo was desperately close to taking the title for the second time but crossed the finish line at 13:31:09, less than an hour behind Paradox on corrected time.

“I have to say I was surprised that we beat Phaedo,” admitted Peter Aschenbrenner. “It is very difficult to rate multihulls because they are so different, but we have now raced Phaedo in light airs and heavier breeze and both times the corrected result has been mighty close, so I guess the rating must be working.”

Phaedo’s owner, Lloyd Thornburg, was delighted to see Paul Aschenbrenner dockside, as “Paradox is a quick boat, I noticed Peter didn’t have much of a suntan, he doesn’t get to spend too long in a boat that fast!”

Lloyd Thornburg's Gunboat 66 yacht Phaedo - Credit: Ocean Images/Team Phaedo

Filip Balcaen’s Baltic 112 superyacht Nilaya completed the race this afternoon. The crew included sailors from the Volvo Ocean Race including Bouwe Bekking calling tactics. Filip has been sailing with the same crew for many years, but this was his first RORC Caribbean 600.

“We have competed in quite a number of races, so we are all well used to each other,” commented Filip Balcaen. “We wanted to be conservative without much damage and we have done that. We always race to win but also to have fun and we laughed a lot during the race. I have to convince some others Maxi owners to come next year.”

Too close to call for overall
The overall winner of the RORC Caribbean 600 Trophy which is raced under the IRC rating system is still undecided. Hap Fauth’s American JV72 yacht Bella Mente, finished the race just after noon local time and is currently in pole position. Hap Fauth competing in his first RORC Caribbean 600 was all smiles dockside, but the canny American knows that the champagne will have to be kept on ice.

Although several yachts have a mathematical probability of winning overall, Ron O’Hanley’s American Cookson 50 yacht Privateer, and superyacht Adela, skippered by Greg Perkins, have a realistic chance of beating Bella Mente to lift the RORC Caribbean 600 Trophy.