RORC Caribbean 600, here we go. We are rooting for Soldini

This is it, the seventh edition of the RORC Caribbean 600 will start tomorrow, the Caribbean’s busiest regatta, starting and returning to Antigua for a total of 600 miles after touching the most fascinating Caribbean islands (Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saba, St. Barth, St. Martin, Guadeloupe) in a course where tactical choices will be most important.

SOLDIERS ON THE HUNT FOR VICTORY
This year is new record number of participants, 64 boats representing 14 different nations, from Russia to Spain, from the USA to Lithuania. Eyes on Maserati, Giovanni Soldini’s VOR70. completely refurbished after two months in the shipyard, led by the Milanese skipper: along with him are Italians Guido Broggi, John Elkann, Andrea Fantini, Matteo Ivaldi, Francesco Malingri, Corrado Rossignoli, Gigio Russo; Frenchman Gwen Riou; Spaniard Oliver Herrera Perez; German Boris Herrmann; and Monegasque Pierre Casiraghi.

BUT THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF OPPONENTS
Maserati will have to contend with what has been referred to as the “boat to beat”-George David’s brand-new Rambler 88, which is stronger in length. David, former owner of the record-shattering Rambler 100 (which scuffled in media clamor at the 2011 Fastnet), will try to break the record he himself set in 2011: 40 hours, 20 minutes and 2 seconds. The potential is there: the crew of the new Rambler will count on members of the old team plus some new entries directly from the America’s Cup and Volvo Ocean Race, such as Brad Butterworth, Stu Bannatyne and Brad Jackson. Other opponents of Maserati are the two 100-footers Ragamuffin 100 and Leopard, and the other VOR 70 Monster Project. That’s not counting Hap Fauth’s JV72 Bella Mente, the real time winner of last year’s regatta.