Palanad 4 Claims IRC Zero Win at the 2026 RORC Caribbean 600
Antigua, February 23, 2026 – Mach 50 Palanad 4 – E.Leclerc, skippered by Antoine Magre, has emerged victorious in the IRC Zero class at the 2026 RORC Caribbean 600. The French team completed the 600-mile course in an elapsed time of 2 days, 10 hours, 32 minutes and 31 seconds, and secured the class win with the best IRC corrected time. James Neville’s Carkeek 45 Ino Noir finished a close second, while Niklas Zennström’s Rán completed the podium.
A Battle of Titans in IRC Zero
The IRC Zero competition was a tightly contested affair throughout the race, featuring a sustained battle between Palanad 4, Ino Noir, Rán, and Frederic Puzin’s Daguet 5. The outcome remained uncertain until the final leg to Antigua, highlighting the competitive nature of the fleet.
Unusual Conditions Define the Race
This year’s RORC Caribbean 600 unfolded under atypical conditions. The trade winds were more south-easterly than usual, resulting in a course dominated by upwind and tight-reaching sailing. This shift in wind patterns significantly impacted race strategy.
Palanad 4 Adapts to the Conditions
Palanad 4’s navigator, Will Harris, quickly recognized the prevailing wind pattern. “Probably about 60 percent of the race was upwind or tight reaching,” Harris stated. “That changes the way you approach the course entirely.” Despite being renowned for its reaching performance, the team focused on disciplined sailing. Skipper Antoine Magre described the race as “intense,” noting “constant manoeuvres, constant sail changes. We never really got into a normal watch rhythm.”
The team overcame an early setback when a halyard issue caused them to drop their J1 sail shortly after the start, losing approximately one mile. However, they responded effectively, regaining ground through precise execution around the northern islands.
Ino Noir’s Strategic Gamble Near Guadeloupe
The waters off Guadeloupe proved to be a crucial turning point in the race. At night, Ino Noir’s navigator, Juan Vila, identified an opportunity to gain an advantage by sailing slightly offshore. “We could see the boats ahead on the tracker and how gradual they were going,” Vila explained. “So we made a plan.”
The plan involved positioning the boat one to two miles further offshore to find a more favorable pressure band. Vila added, “In Guadeloupe you have to make your call and cross your fingers,” and the decision proved successful, allowing Ino Noir to compress the fleet and re-enter the fight for the podium.
Downwind Speed and a Fishing Gear Incident
From La Désirade toward Barbuda, Ino Noir demonstrated strong downwind speed, reaching 18 to 20 knots. However, the team encountered a setback when they became entangled in fishing gear near Barbuda, costing them valuable time. Despite this, they remained competitive heading into the final leg.
A Northern Route and a Close Finish
With approximately 35 miles remaining to Antigua, Ino Noir deviated significantly from the rhumb line, heading north toward Redonda. Vila explained that this decision was prompted by an approaching squall. “We weren’t planning to go that far north,” he said. “But there was a big squall on our line. We had to decide whether to go long south or try to go around to the north. We thought going north of the cloud was better. We had a strong shift from the south for a while, so we continued pushing north until we got the shift back to the east.”
While the northern route added distance, it allowed Ino Noir to maintain pressure and avoid the light air behind the squall. The corrected time calculations tightened considerably, bringing the IRC Zero win within reach. James Neville expressed pride in the team’s effort, calling it “a bit of a battle of the Carkeeks.” however, Palanad 4’s advantage proved insurmountable.
Consistency Secures Victory for Palanad 4
While Ino Noir made bold tactical calls, Palanad 4’s victory was built on consistent performance across all conditions. Harris highlighted the boat’s strength at specific wind angles: “About 120 degrees true wind angle in 20 knots – that’s where we are very strong.” Magre confirmed this, stating that the reaching legs were “sublime.” Importantly, Palanad 4 also performed well on the stronger upwind sections late in the race. “The windier it gets, the better we go upwind,” Magre said.
Magre acknowledged that the race wasn’t perfect, but emphasized the team’s overall execution: “We didn’t sail perfect, but we were on point most of the time.”
A Dedicated Victory
The IRC Zero win held personal significance for Antoine Magre. “My father couldn’t race with us this time,” he said. “As we lost my uncle last week. The IRC Zero win was dedicated to him.”