Multihull Line Honours | MOD70 Zoulou | RORC Caribbean 600

MOD70 Zoulou Wins RORC Caribbean 600 Multihull Line Honors Race in Thrilling Finish. After sailing for more than 30 hours and reaching speeds of nearly 40 knots, the MOD70 Zoulou skippered by Erik Maris from France secured the Multihull Line Honours victory in the 2023 RORC Caribbean 600 race by a mere 11 seconds. Zoulou finished the 600-mile course in just under 31 hours, while Giovanni Soldini’s Maserati Multi70 (ITA) came in second place, just like they did the previous year, after yet another photo-finish. Zoulou's crew consisted of Erik Maris, Ned Collier Wakefield, Thierry Fouchier, Loick Peyron, Bruno Jeanjean, Bruno Mourniac, and Thomas Le Breton. Despite leading until midnight on the first day, Zoulou lost to Maserati when the latter was fast on their foils heading down to Guadeloupe. However, Maserati encountered a setback on the penultimate leg when they got lost under a cloud, just as Zoulou had experienced during the RORC Transatlantic Race. The two boats battled it out and exchanged leads many times on the leg to Redonda, making for an exhilarating race. The last leg was particularly challenging, as the wind speed and direction were unpredictable, but Zoulou eventually passed Maserati to win the race. "That was an incredible race with such a close finish," Maris said after the race. "It was as close as it gets; an incredible finish and great fun." The win was part of Zoulou's plan to compete in all RORC races, with the Rolex Fastnet Race set to be their next challenge. The RORC Caribbean 600 is one of the most challenging offshore races in the world, and this year's race lived up to its reputation as the multihull boats battled it out in intense conditions. The race covers a 600-mile course around 11 Caribbean islands, with a diverse range of conditions and challenges, making it a true test of both sailors and boats. #Caribbean600