The Royal Navy Sailing Association have been taking part in Exercise Roaring Antilles in Antigua, preparing for the 14th Edition of the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s Caribbean 600 race which started at 1500 (UK) on Monday 20th February.
The Royal Ocean Racing Club’s Caribbean 600 is a 600 nautical mile race around the Islands of Antigua, Barbuda, St Kitts and Nevis. Seventy boats are competing in the epic race, with crew from thirty different countries.
Starting outside Nelson’s Dockyard in Antigua, the wind speed was in the mid-teens, providing an adrenaline fuelled start for the yachts.
Crews are expected to finish the race in around five days, with some of the fastest boats in the fleet anticipated to finish in less than two days.
The Royal Navy Sailing Association’s crew comprises sailors from various branches and backgrounds, with a wide range of sailing experience, some having never sailed before joining the Navy.
In preparation for the Caribbean 600, the crew has undertaken a variety of training exercises including, multiple sail changes, man overboard drills, getting into the watch system and general boat familiarisation.
A mixture of adventurous training and representative sport, both the training and the race present the ideal opportunity to challenge the physical and mental resilience of the crew.
