RORC Caribbean 600: How to Follow the Race
The 17th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600 bursts into life from English Harbour, Antigua on Monday 23 February 2026 and wherever you are in the world, you can follow every mile.
A spectacular international fleet of 57 boats ranging from a 6.5 metre Mini Transat to 100 foot ocean thoroughbreds will line up for the start. Nearly 500 sailors representing over 30 nations will take on this iconic Caribbean offshore challenge.
The first start is scheduled for 1100 AST (1500 UTC) on Monday 23 February. For those lucky enough to be in Antigua, the view from Fort Charlotte, high above the dramatic Pillars of Hercules, is unforgettable. Shirley Heights offers another stunning vantage point as the fleet charges out into blue water and white caps.
From Antigua, the non-stop course sweeps north to the Anguilla Channel and south to round Les Saintes off Guadeloupe. Along the way, the fleet threads between spectacular islands including Barbuda, Nevis, St Kitts, Saba, St Barth’s, Montserrat and Redonda - a relentless mix of speed, strategy and raw beauty.
Race fans can stay fully up-to-date via the official Race Website, Live Blog and RORC social media channels. Track the fleet in real time, watch the leaderboard shift, and follow the stories as 600 nautical miles of tradewind racing unfolds.
However you choose to follow the RORC Caribbean 600, it promises to deliver thrilling racing from the first gun to the final flourish. Visit: https://caribbean600.rorc.org/
RACE ENTRIES: Latest entries can be found on SailRaceHQ HERE
COURSE:
Starting from English Harbour in Antigua, the race heads as far north as the Anguilla Channel, and south to round Les Saintes, off Guadeloupe. The non-stop race also takes in the devastating beauty of Barbuda, Nevis, St Kitts, Saba, St Barth's, Montserrat and Redonda.
PROPOSED START TIMES:
Monday 23 February 2026 - Fort Charlotte, Antigua
First warning signal: 1050 Atlantic Standard Time (-4 UTC)
Proposed Start Sequence:
1100 - IRC 2 + CSA Only, 1110 - IRC 1, 1120 - IRC Z & Class40, 1130 - IRC SZ, 1140 - Multihulls.
WEBSITE: For race updates and reports, links to the race tracker, RORC photo gallery, live results and much more, go to: https://caribbean600.rorc.org
RACE TRACKER:
All yachts will carry a tracker so you can follow the progress of the whole fleet, particular class or individual boat from the race website: https://caribbean600.rorc.org/tracking. Plus, you can follow the race live by downloading 'YB Races' for free from the App store for Android or iPhone.
RESULTS & LEADERBOARD: Check out the live results: https://sailracehq.com/live-results
BLOG ON WEBSITE:
Crews will be sending back photos, audio, blogs and video, when they can, during the race, and the Media Team will be posting updates too. Check out the Live Blog button on the front of the website to see onboard action and to hear what it's like for crews during the race. Go to the link on the race website: https://caribbean600.rorc.org
START VIDEO: A highlights video will be available on RORC YouTube and RORC social media channels.
VIDEOS - RORC YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@RORCRacing.
Videos will include a race preview, start highlights, monohull and multihull line honours, overall winner interview, wrap-up film and a whole lot more.
VNR: For broadcasters and web TV channels, we will be producing VNR to include start, interviews, finishers, B-roll and a wrap. Requests please to: [email protected]
WHERE TO WATCH THE START:
FROM ON SHORE:
Yachts will be starting south of Fort Charlotte, Antigua on Monday 23 February. 2026 There's a great view from Fort Charlotte or Shirley Heights. From Pigeon Beach and there's also a chance to catch a glimpse of the boats leaving Falmouth Harbour, and from Galleon Beach, for those docking out of English Harbour. The starting line is formed between the flagstaff at Fort Charlotte and a cylindrical Outer Distance Mark approximately 0.50nm south of Fort Charlotte. The Race Committee may adjust this position with reference to the wind direction on the day of the start. Fort Charlotte is at the eastern entrance to English Harbour above the Pillars of Hercules and below Shirley Heights. A yellow cylindrical Inner Distance Mark, which is not on the starting line, may be laid.
FROM ON THE WATER:
For those wishing to watch the race from the water, please note that there will be an Exclusion Zone around the starting area effective from 1000 to 1200.
DRONES - NO FLY ZONE:
Please note, the flying of drones around the start area - from on or offshore - for the period of the race is in place from 1000 to 1200 on Monday 23 February. A media helicopter will be flying low and the safety of spectator vessels and competitors is paramount.
RORC CARIBBEAN 600 PROGRAMME:
Saturday 21 Feb: 1800 - Skippers Briefing, 1830 - Sevenstar Welcome Party
Sunday 22 Feb: Commodores’ Cocktail (by invitation at The Inn at English Harbour)
Monday 23 Feb: Start of the 17th RORC Caribbean 600 - first warning signal 1050 local time
Tuesday 25 Feb onwards: Boats start to finish
Friday 27 Feb: 1900 Final Prizegiving & Party - AYC Lawn
SEVENSTAR WELCOME PARTY:
Sevenstar Yacht Transport and the Royal Ocean Racing Club will be welcoming crews to a night of Caribbean fun to kick off the 2026 RORC Caribbean 600 in style. The evening will include great music, rum cocktails, and dancing, with a glass raised by the Sevenstar team to celebrate the start of another unforgettable race. Guests will be welcomed with a cold Carib lager or English Harbour Rum to enjoy with the sounds of a steel band , followed by DJ and dancing.
VIRTUAL REGATTA:
If you're not on the start line in Antigua, join the virtual race for the course, and take part from the comfort of your armchair. Be prepared for some sleepless nights - it's addictive: https://www.virtualregatta.com/
SOCIAL MEDIA:
We will be active on all our social media channels so follow us:-
#Caribbean600 @RORCracing
Facebook: www.facebook.com/royaloceanracingclub
Instagram: instagram.com/rorcracing
YouTube: www.youtube.com/rorcracing
Twitter: www.twitter.com/rorcracing
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rorcracing
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/royaloceanracingclub
