Wizard wins the RORC Caribbean 600 Trophy

David and Peter Askew's American Volvo 70 Wizard has won the 2019 RORC Caribbean 600 Trophy, scoring the best corrected time under IRC. Wizard put in a near faultless performance to complete the 600 mile non-stop race in 43 hours 38 minutes and 44 seconds.

"That's awesome," commented David Askew on receiving the news. "This is the first time we have done this race and to win it overall is beyond our wildest possible dreams. It's a race we have followed and we have always wanted to be in Antigua, but we wanted to have the right boat to do the really prestigious ocean races; the races we dreamed about when we were younger. We really didn't have any expectations, but we prepared ourselves to perform as best as we could. I am in shock, I really can't believe it."

"Outstanding, really special," commented Peter Askew. Both myself, my brother and all the Wizard team are very competitive, so to start the year with a big win and part of our commitment to the Transatlantic Ocean Race Series, is just fantastic." Peter confirmed that the schedule for Wizard includes the Transatlantic Race, The Rolex Fastnet Race and the Rolex Middle Sea Race.

Wizard's crew led by the Askew brothers was skippered by Charlie Enright (USA), Richard Clarke (CAN), Simon Fisher (GBR), Phillip Harmer (AUS), Robbie Kane (USA), Chris Maxted (AUS), Mark Towill (USA), Phil Trinter (USA), John von Schwarz (USA) , Mitchell White (AUS), Daryl Wislang (NZL).

For results, all the latest race reports, videos, photos and news go to: http://caribbean600.rorc.org

(Race report: Louay Habib)

HOW TO FOLLOW THE RACE:

Check out the new LIVE page on the race minisite:

http://caribbean600.rorc.org/Live/2019-rorc-caribbean-600-race-live.html

RACE MINISITE: For all the latest race reports and news go to: http://caribbean600.rorc.org

The new LIVE page on the website will be updated throughout the race with blogs from competitors, photos, video, audio and much more.

REPEATED -  THE START WAS LIVE ON FACEBOOK TODAY. YOU CAN WATCH IT AGAIN: 

https://www.facebook.com/RoyalOceanRacingClub/

LIVE BLOG DURING THE RACE:

(http://caribbean600.rorc.org/Live/2019-rorc-caribbean-600-race-live.html)

SOCIAL MEDIA: Keep in touch via RORC social media channels: #Caribbean600

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rorcracing/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RoyalOceanRacingClub

RORC YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/RORCRacing - videos: Preview, start, first arrivals, winners & wrap-up + VNR available to broadcasters on request.

Twitter: Follow @rorcracing

TRACK THE FLEET: All yachts will carry a tracker so you can follow the progress of the whole fleet, particular class or individual boat: http://caribbean600.rorc.org/Race-Information/Tracking/

Plus, you can download the YB Races App.

PLAY THE VIRTUAL GAME:

If you're not on the start line in Antigua, join the virtual race. Be prepared for some sleepless nights - it's addictive! http://click.virtualregatta.com/?li=4865

IMAGES: Facebook albums will show a selection of images and you can also go to the RORC Photo Gallery to view folders. 

Media can request specific images or direct download high resolution images: Gallery: http://gallery.rorc.org/v/2019/

Login: press

Password: PressAccr (Note: case sensitive)
 

NOTES TO EDITORS

THE RORC CARIBBEAN 600:

The 11th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600 starts from Antigua on Monday 18th February 2019. The 600nm course circumnavigates 11 Caribbean Islands starting from Fort Charlotte, English Harbour, Antigua and heads north as far as St Martin and south to Guadeloupe taking in Barbuda, Nevis, St Kitts, Saba and St Barth's . 

PREVIOUS WINNERS: RORC CARIBBEAN 600 TROPHY - IRC OVERALL 

(Best corrected time under IRC)

2018 - George David, Rambler 88, Maxi (USA)

2017 - Hap Fauth, Bella Mente, JV72 (USA)

2016 - George Sakellaris, Maxi 72, Proteus (USA)

2015 - Hap Fauth, JV72, Bella Mente (USA)

2014 - George Sakellaris, RP72, Shockwave (USA)

2013 - Ron O'Hanley, Privateer, Cookson 50 (USA) 

2012 - Niklas Zennström's JV72, Rán (GBR)

2011 - George David, Rambler 100, JK 100 (USA) 

2010 - Karl C L Kwok, Beau Geste, Farr 80 (HKG)

2009 - Adrian Lee, Lee Overlay Partners, Cookson 50 (IRL) 

THE ROYAL OCEAN RACING CLUB:

Established in 1925, The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) became famous for the biennial Fastnet Race and the international team event, the Admiral's Cup. It organises an annual series of domestic offshore races from its base in Cowes as well as inshore regattas including the RORC Easter Challenge and the IRC European Championship in the Solent. 

The RORC Caribbean 600, based in Antigua and the first offshore race in the Caribbean, has been an instant success. The 11th edition will take place in 2019. The RORC extended its organisational expertise by creating the RORC Transatlantic Race from Lanzarote to Grenada, the first of which was in November 2014. 

The club is based in St James' Place, London, but after a merger with The Royal Corinthian Yacht Club in Cowes, now boasts a superb clubhouse facility at the entrance to Cowes Harbour and a membership of over 4,000.

Twitter: #rorcracing @RORCracing

Facebook: www.facebook.com/royaloceanracingclub

Instagram: www.instagram.com/rorcracing

RORC RATING:

The RORC has also been a leader in yacht handicap systems and in co-operation with the French offshore racing club, UNCL, created IRC - the principal yacht measurement system for the rating of racing yachts worldwide. The Spinlock IRC rating rule is administered jointly by the RORC Rating Office in Lymington, UK and UNCL Centre de Calcul in Paris, France. The RORC Rating Office is the technical hub of the Royal Ocean Racing Club and recognised globally as a centre of excellence for measurement. 

For Spinlock IRC rating information in the UK please see: www.rorcrating.com

IRC rating globally: www.ircrating.org

Social media: www.facebook.com/rorcratingwww.facebook.com/ircrating

Twitter @RORCrating @IRCrating

RACE PARTNERS:

The Royal Ocean Racing Club has partnered with Rolex SA, adding the RORC Caribbean 600 to the leading Swiss watchmaker's prestigious roster of yachting events around the world.  

www.rolex.com 

Sevenstar Yacht Transport - Official Logistics Partner to the RORC Caribbean 600. Sevenstar Yacht Transport is the world's leading provider of yacht shipping services. A global network of destinations, ranging from the familiar to the exotic, and our own fleet of more than 100 independent carriers have propelled Sevenstar to the peak of its sector for more than 25 years. For race yachts, Sevenstar offers a unique package to the teams which includes all logistics of boat and spares. http://www.sevenstar-yacht-transport.com/racing-logistics.aspx

Sevenstar Yacht Transport Enquiries: 

Wouter Verbraak - Direct:  +44 238 021 5063, Mb: +44 755 752 6451 

E: wouter@sevenstar-uk.com

MEDIA ENQUIRIES:

Trish Jenkins, press officer

email: trish@j2pro.co.uk

WhatsApp/Mobile: +44 (0) 7880 518689

Antiguan Cell: + 1 268 3829

Skype: Trish Jenkins

RACE REPORTER

Louay Habib

M: +44 (0)7801 800521

E: louayhabib@gmail.com

RORC Race Enquiries:

Chris Stone, Racing Manager

Royal Ocean Racing Club

T: +44 (0) 1983 295144

E:   racing@rorc.org

W:  http://www.rorc.org/

Royal Ocean Racing Club:

20 St James's Place

London SW1A 1NN

Tel: 020 7493 2248

Fax: 020 7493 2470

E:  info@rorc.org