2026 Caribbean 600: Argo & Black Jack Highlights

The 2026 RORC Caribbean 600 routed 600 nautical miles around 11 islands, requiring race logistics that included staging provisions and spare parts at Antigua marinas, coordinating helicopter and tender transfers for media and shore teams, and planning for the closest air freight hubs in St. John's and Barbados; 56 entries started from English Harbour, Antigua on February 23, 2026.

Elapsed time winners and course figures

The race produced narrow margins and high-speed drama in both divisions. Below is a compact summary of the elapsed time winners and standing course records.

Course records

How Argo and Final Final – Zoulou fought at sea

The multihull division was a lesson in high-speed tactics. Argo crossed the line just over three minutes ahead of Jon Desmond’s Final Final – Zoulou, after the two MOD70 trimarans traded blows for nearly 600 nm. At one point the gap was a razor-thin one mile—less than 0.2% of the course—showing how small tactical choices around islands like Guadeloupe and Redonda became decisive.

Key tactical moments

• Guadeloupe: wind shifts and current effects created a pocket where Zoulou briefly gained three to four miles by sailing slightly outside Argo’s track.
• Final 20 miles: a 35-knot duel near Redonda saw repeated position swaps before Argo executed a planned double-tack to escape wind shadow.
• Finish approach: clear air and coordinated foil and sail trim let Argo surge toward Fort Charlotte.

Black Jack 100’s monohull masterclass

Black Jack 100, owned by Remon Vos and skippered by Tristan Le Brun, used the RP100’s downwind speed to nibble and then extend a lead over the Farr 100 Leopard 3. Lead swings at Barbuda, Nevis, Saba and St. Barts underlined how coastal effects and sail choice mattered as much as raw horsepower.

Technical choices that mattered

Black Jack’s signature triple-headed sail plan—a fractional J-Zero, two staysails inside it and a long sprit—gave decisive acceleration on broad reaches. Leopard 3 countered with superior upwind pointing, but on deep reaches Black Jack “lit up,” extending a lead that peaked north of 30 minutes.

Crew dynamics and race management

Both crews balanced raw pace with risk management. In the final upwind run to Antigua, Black Jack dialed back risky moves and focused on reliability—crew rotation, sail maintenance, and conservative routing—illustrating that finishing fast is also about finishing intact.

Production and media logistics: why the videos matter

The Royal Ocean Racing Club’s highlight reels used aerial drones, onboard cameras and concise interviews to tell the race story. From a logistics perspective, coordinating drone flights, media tenders and shore edits is almost as complex as prepping a race boat—timing, permits, and backup power all play a role. And yes, good footage sells charters: people see the adrenaline and want a slice of that sea life.

What charter and rental markets can learn

• Demand spike: high-profile races boost interest in performance charters and superyacht experiences in nearby marinas.
• Training product: charter companies can offer captain-led performance days inspired by MOD70 or RP100 tactics.
• Fleet prep: rental fleets should review provisioning and spare-part workflows used by race teams for offshore reliability.

Final takeaways

Argo’s narrow multihull victory and Black Jack 100’s monohull line honours underline that offshore wins depend on sail selection, routing around island-induced winds, and flawless crew execution. For charter operators and skippers, the race is a reminder: customers want stories and safety in equal measure—so tap into race tactics for training days but keep logistics tight.

Summary: The 2026 RORC Caribbean 600 delivered edge-of-seat finishes—Argo (MOD70) and Black Jack 100 (RP100) took line honours after strategic routing around eleven islands, intense boat-on-boat duels, and decisive sail choices. Race logistics, media coordination, and crew execution were all on display, offering lessons for yacht charter operators, captains and rent-a-boat services looking to market destinations, activities and high-performance experiences. Whether you’re into superyacht charters, a small boat rental on a clearwater gulf or a fishing trip off the beach, the race underscores why sailing, yachting and boating excite people—linking marinas, sea routes and ocean adventure in one memorable event.