Aragon wins the RORC Transatlantic Race

by Louay Habib on 14 Dec 2016 Arco Van Nieuwland and Andries Verder's Marten 72, Aragon has been declared the overall winner of the 2016 RORC Transatlantic Race and also the winner of IRC Zero.

Skipper of the Dutch Maxi, Nicolas Lecarpentier collected the RORC Transatlantic Race Trophy at a presentation held in Camper and Nicholsons Port Louis Marina and back in Holland, Aragon's owners held a private party where the rest of the crew, family and friends watched the presentation via internet connection.

Aragon had some tough moments during the 14 days racing in the RORC Transatlantic Race as co-owner, Andries Verder explained:

'The weather was very challenging and that was the stressful part of the race; we were trying to save every second; this was a transatlantic race and we always had that in our minds. We blew out a few spinnakers, but we managed to keep up our speed and performance and we finished the race with everybody safe and sound. The boat performed very well and as expected. A large part of that is excellent planning; without that, small issues can easily damage your chances of winning. Everything held up perfectly and that is due to very good preparation. We also have a good spirit in the team and that friendship, combined with the preparation of a great boat, is a winning combination. It was wonderful to arrive in Port Louis and receive such a fantastic welcome.'

Lloyd Thornburg's MOD70, Phaedo3 has already been declared winner of the Multihull Class and Mike Slade's Farr 100, Leopard was awarded the International Maxi Association (IMA) Trophy for Monohull Line Honours and was third overall after IRC time correction. Infiniti 46, Maverick, skippered by Oliver Cotterell was second overall and winner of IRC Canting keel.

Halvard Mabire and Miranda Merron's Campagne de France was presented with a RORC Transatlantic Race Decanter as winner of the Class40 Division and Laurent Pellecuer's Seconde Chance was declared winner of IRC One.

Two yachts are still racing in the IRC fleet, however, neither James Heald's Swan 45, Nemesis nor Giles Redpath's Lombard 46, Pata Negra can better Aragon's IRC corrected time.

The RORC Transatlantic Race Prize Giving was well attended by crews from competing yachts: Challenger, Path, Aragon, Campagne de France, Eärendil and Seconde Chance and guest of honour was Dr. Clarice Modeste-Curwen, Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Culture and Cooperatives. RORC Chief Executive Officer, Eddie Warden Owen opened proceedings by thanking the Government of Grenada, Camper and Nicholsons Port Louis Marina, Calero Marinas and Westerhall Rums for their generous support.

After the awards ceremony, a Caribbean supper and a private bar were provided by the Royal Ocean Racing Club, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. It was not an early night for competitors who had just raced 3,000 miles from Lanzarote to Grenada in the third RORC Transatlantic Race. Celebrating their achievements, whether prize winners or not, the live music led to a buzzing dance floor and a great evening at Camper and Nicholsons Port Louis Marina.

Winners: 2016 RORC Transatlantic Race:

RORC Transatlantic Race Trophy (Awarded to the yacht posting the best corrected time under IRC)
+ IRC Zero
Aragon, Marten 72, Arco Van Nieuwland and Andries Verder (NED)

International Maxi Association Trophy - Monohull Line Honours + Third overall
Leopard3, Farr 100, Mike Slade (GBR)

IRC Canting Keel + Second overall
Maverick, Infiniti 46, skippered by Oliver Cotterell (GBR)

IRC One
Seconde Chance, Class40, Laurent Pellecuer (FRA)

Class40
Campagne de France, Halvard Mabire (FRA) and Miranda Merron (GBR)

Multihull Class
Phaedo3, MOD70, Lloyd Thornburg (USA)