In a spectacular display of nautical prowess, Jason Carroll’s MOD70 trimaran Argo has annihilated the course record for the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s Antigua 360 Race. Completing the demanding 48-nautical-mile circuit in a breathtaking 2 hours, 29 minutes, and 20 seconds, the team achieved a staggering 25% improvement over the previous benchmark.
The record-shattering run saw Argo slash a full 45 minutes from its own 2023 time of 3 hours, 14 minutes, and 23 seconds. The vessel transformed Antigua’s turquoise waters into a high-speed blur during what skipper Carroll characterized as an ideal day for sailing and a magnificent circumnavigation of the island.
Facing challenging initial conditions with approximately 20 knots of wind and rougher seas on the eastern coastline, Carroll’s crew implemented a strategically conservative approach. They opted to sail with one reef—a technique that reduces the sail area to de-power the boat and maintain control—demonstrating that calculated precision can trump raw power in elite sailing.
Reflecting on their strategy, Carroll noted, ‘We chose to go with one reef, which felt like the right call. I believe we sailed it relatively conservatively without leaving much potential unclaimed.’ The nearly flawless performance was marred only by a single problematic tack that left the vessel temporarily stalled, costing the team approximately one minute of time.
Sam Goodchild, a crew member who will also compete aboard Argo in the forthcoming RORC Caribbean 600, emphasized the exceptional and visually stunning nature of the Antigua course, underscoring why this event remains a highlight on the offshore racing calendar.