The RORC Caribbean 600 returned this Monday, February 23, 2026 for its 17th edition, starting from English Harbour, Antigua. Organized by the Royal Ocean Racing Club, this 600-nautical-mile non-stop offshore race has established itself as one of the major events on the international sailing calendar. In less than two decades, it has established itself as a benchmark event in the Caribbean, attracting a prestigious fleet and crews from all over the world every year.
For this 2026 edition, 57 boats have been entered, bringing together nearly 500 sailors from over thirty countries. From Mini 6.50s to 100-foot maxi yachts, the diversity of the boats entered testifies to the appeal of the race and its unique positioning, both accessible to experienced crews and feared by the biggest names in offshore sailing.
A spectacular and demanding Caribbean course
The principle of the RORC Caribbean 600 has remained unchanged since its creation: start and finish in Antigua, for a 600-nautical-mile non-stop course around eleven Caribbean islands. On the map, the route looks crystal-clear. At sea, it proves particularly complex.
After the start from English Harbour, the fleet headed north to the Anguilla Channel, before beginning a gradual descent south to Les Saintes in Guadeloupe, before heading back up to Antigua. Along the way, the crews passed Barbuda, Nevis, Saint-Kitts, Saba, Saint-Barthélemy, Montserrat and Redonda. This route offers a condensed view of the realities of Caribbean sailing, where the beauty of the scenery goes hand in hand with constant technical challenges.
The difficulty of the RORC Caribbean 600 lies mainly in the effects of relief and local weather phenomena. Winds can accelerate sharply as you pass certain capes, then drop in intensity in areas sheltered by mountainous islands. Inter-island currents, venturi effects in the canals and long night-time sailing require constant vigilance. In this race, detailed knowledge of the terrain and strategic anticipation can prove decisive.
A top-class international fleet
As every year, the race brought together a fleet of seasoned professionals and highly experienced amateur sailors. The fast maxi-yachts and multihulls attract a great deal of media attention, especially when it comes to winning in real time. Their power and speed make them major players in the show, capable of completing the course in just a few days when conditions are favorable.
But the sporting interest of the RORC Caribbean 600 also lies in the intermediate classes, notably the Class40s and IRC boats. In these categories, the differences are often determined by regularity, precision of maneuvers and management of weather transitions. Every mile sailed can have a direct impact on the final rankings on corrected time. The presence of smaller boats, such as the Mini, is a reminder that this race is first and foremost a human challenge. Sailing such a non-stop course demands considerable physical and mental endurance.
Caribbean participation reinforces race identity
The presence of sailors from the French West Indies lent a particularly strong regional dimension to this edition. Sailors from Martinique and Guadeloupe took part in the race, notably aboard the Class40. Martinique Horizon. Their participation underlines the growing strength of offshore sailing in the Caribbean and the willingness of local talent to compete against the best international teams.
For these skippers, the RORC Caribbean 600 represents much more than a competition. It’s an opportunity to measure themselves against the highest standards, to gain experience on a technical course, and to raise the profile of the Caribbean nautical industry. In a region where the sea is at the heart of people’s identities, their commitment helps to promote local maritime know-how.
Antigua, a strategic hub for international sailing
The choice of Antigua as the starting and finishing point for the RORC Caribbean 600 is a logical one. Over the years, the island has established itself as one of the Caribbean’s sailing capitals. Its port infrastructure, favorable February weather conditions and maritime culture make it an ideal venue for a race of this scale.
Beyond the sporting aspect, the event generates significant economic spin-offs for the region. Crews, technical teams and accompanying staff often stay for several weeks, contributing to the activity of marinas, hotels, restaurants and nautical services. In this way, the RORC Caribbean 600 contributes to Antigua’s international reputation and, more broadly, to the promotion of the Caribbean as a leading offshore sailing destination.
A race revealing Caribbean excellence
Over the years, the RORC Caribbean 600 has become a veritable barometer of the region’s nautical excellence. It highlights the capacity of Caribbean territories to host top-level international sporting events, while at the same time promoting their unique maritime features.
This race also illustrates how the sea links islands together. By circumnavigating eleven territories in the space of a few days, crews cross a common maritime space that transcends administrative boundaries. In this way, the RORC Caribbean 600 embodies a form of Caribbean continuity, where navigation becomes a vector of regional connection.
The 2026 edition now under way
The start of the 17th edition was given on Monday February 23rd at 11am local time from English Harbour. From the very first hours of the race, strategic choices began to influence the hierarchy. The passages to the north of Antigua and in the inter-island channels are among the most closely scrutinized zones, as they can create significant gaps.
In the days to come, the race should offer a constant spectacle of high speeds, tactical repositioning and crew endurance management. This 2026 edition promises to be one of the most open in recent years, with a dense international fleet and weather conditions likely to throw up some surprises. For observers of the Caribbean sailing scene, the RORC Caribbean 600 remains a structuring event. Over and above its sporting performance, it embodies the region’s maritime vitality and its place in major international competitions.
The 17th edition kicked off on Monday, February 23, 2026 from English Harbour in Antigua.
The race covers 600 nautical miles non-stop around eleven Caribbean islands, from the north of Anguilla to Guadeloupe before returning to Antigua.
It raises the region’s international profile in offshore sailing, promotes Caribbean sailors and generates economic spin-offs for Antigua and the territories it crosses.
