Yesterday, February 21, saw the conclusion of the fifth edition of the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s (RORC) Caribbean 600 yacht race in Antigua. The popular race hosted eight Swan yachts, as part of a fleet of 53 yachts from 27 countries.

Swan 90 superyacht Nefertiti competing in RORC Caribbean 600 2013 - Credit: Tim Wright

Competition was intense for the Swan Caribbean Challenge Trophy which was won in 2012 by Wendy Schmidt owner of Swan 80 sailing yacht Selene. The prestigious Swan Challenge trophy goes to the first Swan to finish on corrected time under IRC and will be presented to Anders Nordqvist owner of  Swan 90 charter yacht Nefertiti which completed the 600 mile course in just two days, seven hours and 57 minutes, finishing 5th in IRC overall on corrected time. This was the second year Nefertiti superyacht has competed in the RORC Caribbean 600 and the Swedish team showed a marked improvement on their 2012 results.

Collin Buffin and his crew on Swan 62 yacht Uxorious VI (GBR) also sailed an impressive race finishing in two days, 21 hours and 39 minutes, completing course more than six hours faster than in 2012.

In IRC 2, Joseph Mele’s Swan 44 yacht Triple Lindy (USA) finished second overall, just beating Christian Reynolds’ Swan 53 yacht Northern Child (GBR) who finished third in IRC 2 on corrected time.

The prizegiving will take place this evening at the Antigua Yacht Club at 1900 and will be a welcome celebration for the competitors.

From Antigua, several of these Swans will head to Virgin Gorda for the inaugural Rolex Swan Cup – Caribbean, from 11-15 March 2013 at the stunning Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. This inaugural event has evolved from the past decade of ClubSwan Caribbean Rendez-vous held in the British Virgin Islands exclusively organised for Swan owners.