The international fleet in the RORC Nelson's Cup Series enjoyed two more races on Day Two in Antigua © Tim Wright

RORC Nelson's Cup Series, thrilling Racing in Antigua

By Royal Ocean Racing Club

16/02/2023 - 09:09

sailing

The international fleet enjoyed two more races on the second day of the RORC Nelson's Cup Series. Compared to the first day, the wind speed in the combat zone was up to 20 knots from the east-nor-east. Race winners on Day 2 were Marie Tabarly's 73ft ketch Pen Duick VI (FRA), OnDeck's Farr 65 Spirit of Juno (ANT) skippered by David Hanks, and Niklas Zennström's CF 520 Rán 8 (SWE).

PRO Stefan Kunstmann set different courses for Day Two of the RORC Nelson's Cup Series, with races ranging from seven to ten miles, featuring every point of sail. "Right through the day the wind was variable across the course, with lulls as well as gusty conditions," commented Kunstmann.

Marie Tabarly's classic 1973 ketch Pen Duick VI (FRA) © Tim Wright

IRC Two

In Race Three, Antiguan Farr 65 Spirit of Juno scored their third bullet of the series against Marie Tabarly's 73ft ketch Pen Duick VI (FRA). In Race 4, the famous ketch fought back to take the gun and win by under two minutes after IRC time correction.

Pen Duick VI has a majority new team on board since completing the RORC Transatlantic Race as Marie is in the process of crew selection for the Ocean Globe Race later this year.

"We are very happy to get a race win for this new team which helps to develop the spirit of the crew. They are learning very fast, especially as it is hard to sail Penduick on the short legs of the races so far," commented Marie Tabarly. "It has been useful to compete with Spirit of Juno and to practice. It is exactly what I want for the round the world race to come. I hope that there will be a lot of wind for the Round Antigua on Friday, that will be very good for Pen Duick."

Marie Tabarly receiving a bottle of English Harbour Rum after the second day of racing © Tim Wright/Photoaction.com — Marie Tabarly receiving a bottle of English Harbour Rum after the second day of racing © Tim Wright

IRC One

Rán 8 won Race Three by less than a minute after IRC time correction, but there was a close battle for second place. RORC Commodore James Neville's HH42 Ino XXX (GBR) and Ker 46 Daguet 3 – Corum had a great tussle, and after over an hour of racing Daguet 3 – Corum took second place from Ino XXX by just 39 seconds after IRC time correction. In Race 4, Rán 8 completed a perfect score line for the day, winning the two-hour race by nearly four minutes after IRC time correction. Daguet 3 – Corum was once again second. Tom Rich from the New York Yacht Club had a positive end to the day's racing, scoring his first podium finish at the helm of his new boat, GP42 Settler (USA).

Daguet 3 – Corum took second place from Ino XXX by just 39 seconds after IRC time correction © Tim Wright/Photoaction.com — Daguet 3 – Corum took second place from Ino XXX by just 39 seconds after IRC time correction © Tim Wright

The daily prize giving for the RORC Nelson's Cup Series was once again held at the Antigua Yacht Club. An informal gathering with English Harbour Rum providing the prizes and Axxess Marine providing complimentary cold beers. RORC Commodore James Neville racing Ino XXX and Vice Commodore Eric de Turckheim racing Teasing Machine had plenty to talk about. After IRC time correction, Teasing Machine and Ino XXX scored a tie in Race 4. With two days of inshore racing now completed, RORC Commodore James Neville gave a speech to all of the sailors in the RORC Nelson's Cup Series.

"It is great to see the new series get underway and we would love to have feedback for the RORC team about the Nelson's Cup. I would like to thank the RORC Race Team and the Antigua Yacht Club for organising two days of great inshore racing. It is going to be a big day on Friday and on Ino XXX we are really looking forward to the Antigua 360."

Enjoying the Caribbean sailing conditions on board RORC Commodore James Neville's HH42 Ino XXX © Tim Wright/Photoaction.com — Enjoying the Caribbean sailing conditions on board RORC Commodore James Neville's HH42 Ino XXX © Tim Wright

With a lay day on Thursday, racing action at the RORC Nelson's Cup Series continues on Friday 17th February with the 52-mile Antigua 360. The RORC fleet will be revving up for action off Fort Charlotte in the early hours of Friday morning, with the first start at 0800 AST.

"Weather forecasts are predicting 20-25 knots of wind, a little north of east gradient with some cloud activity which could result in squalls of possibly 30 knots, so it's going to be breezy," commented Teasing Machine's tactician Laurent Pages. "We have enjoyed the racing inshore and it has been a super-friendly atmosphere. On Friday it will be great to get back to distance racing with some punchy conditions."