The 100-foot racing yacht Farr 100 Leopard 3 has been declared the IRC overall winner of the 2026 RORC Caribbean 600, following confirmation by the race organiser Royal Ocean Racing Club. After the completion of the 600-nautical-mile offshore race around 11 Caribbean islands, no remaining competitor was able to surpass Leopard 3’s corrected time under the IRC rating rule.
This victory marks Leopard 3’s second IRC overall title in the race, repeating her success in 2024 and further strengthening the yacht’s reputation in one of the world’s most challenging offshore sailing events.
Owner and crew member Joost Schuijff described the win as a surprise, noting that the team’s consistency and lack of technical issues played a key role. Ahead of the race, the crew introduced several upgrades, including redesigned rudders, an optimized interceptor system and a new sail inventory designed to reduce drag and improve efficiency. Extensive data analysis and preparation helped the yacht perform reliably throughout the race.
During the competition, Leopard 3 faced strong opposition from the supermaxi Black Jack 100, which claimed line honours by finishing about 30 minutes ahead. However, Leopard 3’s performance in upwind conditions allowed her to remain competitive, ultimately securing the overall IRC win on corrected time.
Crew member Laura de Vere highlighted the teamwork behind the result, crediting both the race crew and the shore team for their preparation and coordination. Looking ahead, the team is considering an electrification programme for Leopard 3, which may involve a temporary break from racing before returning to the Caribbean 600 in future editions.
