RORC Caribbean 600: 30m Leopard 3 wins, discovering a cult boat

Verdict time for the RORC Caribbean 600, the classic antiguana regatta that attracts hundreds of sailors each year for the beauty of the course between the islands and the allure of a windy but Caribbean-temperature offshore race. The overall winner, who also captured the line of honor, is Chris Sherlock’s Farr 100 Leopard 3, already this year’s winner of the Aegean 600 and the Middle Sea Race in real time, considered one of the most competitive 30-meter yachts on the international offshore scene.

Second place in the IRC overall ranking was Niklas Zennstrom’s (SWE) Carkeek 52 Rán, third place for the Botin 52 Wizard Peter and David Askew (USA).

The 2024 edition was fast, but in general the RORC Caribbean 600 is an average fairly windy regatta, it is run averagely in trade winds, and in the chase between the islands some sides of the course are untrimmed, upwind wide or slack, at high speed.

Leopard 3, not just racing

The Farr 100 Leopard 3 is one of the iconic maxis participating in major international regattas, designed by the well-known American firm and built, in carbon, by McConaghy Boats, launched in 2007. The maxi during its “career” as a racing boat also set some records, such as the 24-hour record in 2010, 495 miles.

It may not be one of the fastest maxis out there, but nonetheless it is one of the most competitive despite the fact that it was not designed just for racing, like some of its competitors. In fact, the boat also has quite elegant interior fittings and is also used for cruising, with three cabins for six guests. In the regatta mode some of the fittings are replaced with a lightened version.

Leopard has a bowsprit of over 4.5 meters, and to accommodate various offshore sailing modes h,a from bowsprit to deck, different tack points for multiple sail plan configurations.

The Leopard 3 also works on charter, whether for racing or cruising or events, with activity concentrated most often in the Caribbean. The boat over the years has been periodically refitted and updated in livery as well, and 17 years after her launching she continues to be a star in all the regattas in which she participates.

On the occasion of the RORC Caribbean 600 aboard Leopard were racing.: Joost Schuijff, Chris Sherlock, Mitch Booth, Aaron Reynolds-Lovegrove, Antonio Cuervas Mons, Carlos Hernandez Robayna, Charlie Wyatt, Dennis Frederiksen, Gerard Mitchell, Gian Ahluwalia, Giles de Jager, Guillermo Altadill, Mark Bartlett, Matthew Lester, Paul Standbridge, Samuel Wright, Stephen Booth, Tom McWilliam, Will Best.

Leopard 3 – The Numbers

Model: MAXI 100
Year: 2007
Shipyard: McConaghy Boats
Length: 30m
Width 6,80 m
Draught: 5,50 m
Displacement: 36,500 kg