Caribbean 100-footers showdown

NEWS AND VIEWS FROM THE WORLD OF YACHTING

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This year’s RORC Caribbean 600 was anticipated to be a battle between the two most exciting racing Maxis in the northern hemisphere, and it didn’t disappoint. However, this time victory in the contest for line honours between the ClubSwan 125 Skorpios and the VPLP/Verdier-designed 100ft Maxi Comanche went to Skorpios.

A fast-paced running of the Caribbean 600 saw the 75-boat fleet racing in solid 13-18 knot northeasterly tradewinds.

Dmitry Rybolovlev’s Skorpios, skippered by Fernando Echávarri, took the line honours win in 1d 16h 39m in their first start in the race.

Skorpios pulled out an early lead over Comanche to be first around Anguilla, and although Comanche was able to stay in touch with the larger Swan, even in the reaching conditions for which the beamy Comanche is famed, skipper Mitch Booth could not find a way past. Less than one hour separated the two monohulls, with Comanche overhauling Skorpios on IRC corrected time.

Although