Argo Smashes Record, Jackknife Wins Overall at 2026 RORC Nelson’s Cup Series Finale
Antigua – February 21, 2026 – Jason Carroll’s MOD70 Argo blazed through the 48-mile Antigua 360 Race, shattering the course record with a time of 2 Hours 29 Minutes 20 Seconds. This victory marked the conclusion of the 2026 RORC Nelson’s Cup Series. Overall IRC honors went to Andrew & Sam Hall’s J/125 Jackknife, winning on countback against Niklas Zennstrom’s Rán. The Farr 100 Leopard 3 secured Monohull Line Honours and set a recent course record. The RORC Caribbean 600 is set to begin on Monday, February 23rd, 2026.
Argo and Leopard3 Dominate 2026 RORC Nelson’s Cup Series, Setting Stage for Caribbean 600
The fourth edition of the RORC Nelson’s Cup Series concluded spectacularly with the Antigua 360 Race, organized in partnership with the Antigua Yacht Club. Twenty-five teams, representing over ten nations, battled it out in superb Caribbean conditions for the 48-mile showdown around Antigua.
Record-Breaking Performance by Argo
Jason Carroll’s MOD70 Argo shattered the Antigua 360 race record, completing the course in an astonishing 2 Hours 29 Minutes 20 Seconds. The high-speed trimaran delivered a commanding performance, establishing itself as a frontrunner ahead of the upcoming RORC Caribbean 600.
“It was a fantastic lap in lovely conditions,” stated Jason Carroll. “We saw about 20 knots at the start, went with one reef and sailed relatively conservatively, apart from one costly tack. To set a new record around Antigua is special, and it’s great to be back pushing with the team.”
Sam Goodchild added, “Once you turn at Green Island and light it up, the boat really comes alive. You’re into the mid-30s and everything has to be precise. It’s a great test before the 600, now it’s about fine tuning and being fully dialled in.”
Pro Tip: Optimizing sail trim and reefing strategies are crucial for maximizing speed and control in varying wind conditions, as demonstrated by Argo’s approach.
Leopard3 Claims Monohull Record in Thrilling Battle
Farr 100 Leopard 3, skippered by Joost Schuijf, secured Monohull Line Honours and set a new course record of 3 Hours 32 Minutes 58 Seconds. The victory came after a fierce contest against three other 100-footers – Galateia, V, and Black Jack 100.
Chris Sherlock of Leopard 3 commented, “It was sensational racing, four 100-footers absolutely boat for boat around Antigua. We had built a solid lead around the top of the island, but a furler issue meant we had a problem to sort out and suddenly all three boats rolled over us. That was disappointing, but we held on down the run and knew once we turned upwind we were strong. The question was whether we had enough race track left. We managed to acquire them back by a boat length at the finish, you can’t ask for more than that.”
“The work we’ve done on the boat has paid off. We’re very strong upwind and far more competitive across a wider wind range than this time last year. Looking ahead to the ‘600, if there’s more upwind and plenty of breeze, that suits us just fine. We love it. It’s going to be a great showdown with Black Jack but we’ll sail our own race.”
Jackknife Secures Overall IRC Victory
Andrew & Sam Hall’s J/125 Jackknife emerged as the overall winner under IRC, both for the RORC Antigua 360 and the entire RORC Nelson’s Cup Series. The win was incredibly close, decided on countback against Niklas Zennstrom’s Carkeek 52 Rán.
Sam Hall expressed, “It’s really special to win the RORC Nelson’s Cup overall. The Jackknife team is a bunch of mates that have pulled together to race and she is the boat that I started sailing on with my dad. To win against such an incredible array of talent is more than we had hoped for and a very special moment. We will take on the RORC Caribbean 600 next and the team is really motivated to do the best One can in a great race. We will deliver everything we have got.”
Did you know? Winning the RORC Nelson’s Cup Series often indicates strong preparation and a competitive edge heading into the prestigious RORC Caribbean 600.
Class Victories and Looking Ahead
Mills 72 Balthasar, helmed by Filip Balcaen, claimed the IRC corrected time win in the Antigua 360 Race. Niklas Zennstrom’s Rán secured victory in the IRC Zero Class for the Nelson’s Cup Series for the third consecutive year. Frederic Puzin’s Daguet 5 won IRC Zero in the Antigua 360 Race, beating Rán by just one minute after IRC time correction. Bruce Chafee’s RP42 Rikki won IRC One for both the series and the race.
Tim Powell, Project Manager for Rán, noted, “Winning IRC Zero for the Series for the third year in a row is a great boost for the team and a great way for us to prepare for the offshore. We all know that the Caribbean 600 is a very different challenge though.”
The 17th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600 is scheduled to start on Monday, February 23rd, 2026, beginning and ending in Antigua.
FAQ
Q: What is the RORC Nelson’s Cup Series?
A: It’s a series of races leading up to the RORC Caribbean 600, culminating in the Antigua 360 Race.
Q: What makes the Antigua 360 Race unique?
A: It’s a 48-mile course around Antigua, known for its challenging conditions and beautiful scenery.
Q: What is the RORC Caribbean 600?
A: A 600 nautical mile offshore race around 11 Caribbean islands, considered a major event in the sailing calendar.
What are your predictions for the RORC Caribbean 600? Share your thoughts in the comments below!