Overview
- The international fleet representing 19 nations departed Arrecife for the roughly 3,000‑nautical‑mile passage to Antigua, with monohulls starting at 1230 GMT and multihulls 10 minutes later.
- The MOD70s Argo and Zoulou set the early pace and are targeting a finish of about five and a half days, renewing a rivalry that saw Argo overhaul Zoulou in last July’s Fastnet Race.
- Race officer Chris Jackson expects well‑established trade winds to favor a rhumb‑line strategy, with a lighter escape from the Canaries before more reliable breeze offshore.
- Monohull contender Baltic 111 Raven begins its first competitive transatlantic campaign, while the fleet ranges from the 129ft Linnea Aurora to the 32ft double‑handed Stimmy.
- The Royal Ocean Racing Club runs the event with the International Maxi Association and the Yacht Club de France, awarding the IRC overall trophy along with maxi and multihull line‑honours prizes.