Start: Fort Charlotte, Antigua - Monday 23 February 2026
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.
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: 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
RORC TV
A highlights video will be available on RORC YouTube and RORC social media channels.
VIDEOS - RORC YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@RORCRacing. ;
BLOG ON WEBSITE
Crews will be sending back photos, audio, blogs and video. 2026-rorc-caribbean-600-competitors-blog
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Start of the 2025 RORC Caribbean 600 © Tim Wright/RORC
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 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.
SOCIAL MEDIA
We will be active on all our social media channels so follow us:-
#Caribbean600 @RORCracing
Facebook: www.facebook.com/royaloceanracingclub
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/rorcracing
YouTube: www.youtube.com/rorcracing
Twitter: www.twitter.com/rorcracing
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rorcracing
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/royaloceanracingclub
