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BMW Round
Ireland Yacht Race 2006 - UPDATE
Dramatic
start – all 38 boats have passed Tuskar Rock
It was a dramatic start for all enjoying a fresh southerly breeze giving the boats a wonder send off and made a wonderful spectacle for the thousands lining the shore adjacent to Wicklow Harbour on Sat 1st July at 4pm. The gunshot fired by Race Organiser, Dennis Noonan, from the Committee boat, the L.E. Aoife marked the start of the race with almost the entire fleet crossing the line on the signal. Unfortunately, one boat, Lascar, was recalled as she got into difficulties with her jib wrapped around her forestay, which unfortunately put her across the line before the start gun. She came back around the stern of the Committee Boat, where she re- started and joined the fleet four and a halfminutes later.
After the first 24 hours of sailing in the BMW Round Ireland Yacht Race, all 38 boats have safely passed the Tuskar Rock on Ireland's South-Eastern corner. Light winds have befallen the coastal waters as far as the famous
Fastnet Rock off West Cork and are proving testing for many of the
race hopefuls.
The biggest yacht ever to compete in the race continues to lead the fleet with an inch perfect flying
tactical start. Konica Minolta Zana called in at the Fastnet
mandatory radio check-in at 1615 this afternoon, just over 24 hours since the start of the race at Wicklow and at 98 feet overall,
the New Zealand leader should be able to make a
fast getaway from the becalmed pack astern.
Moderate N-NE winds are forecast for the south-west corner off County Kerry which might slow the leaders and keep the smaller boats in touch, should they get the same wind as they make their way along the south coast.
Based on handicap corrected times at the Tuskar Rock, Konica Minolta
Zana was
leading overall while Roy Heiner on his VO60 footer chartered to
Lyons
Solicitors of Dublin was in second place.
Current Round Ireland record holder JP Chomette on Solune was in
third place
in a repeat of the 2004 BMW Round Ireland Race that saw similar
conditions
on the second day slow his progress.
Nevertheless, there is a real prospect of a slower race than normal.
Limerick entry Altana Chieftain reported total calm off the Old Head
of
Kinsale and was surrounded by smaller boats at 1800 today. The crew
of the
Cookson 50 provisioned for four days but based on current progress,
their
finish could be later than Wednesday.
Ireland's West, the Galway entry skippered by Aodhan Fitzgerald came
within
three miles of Chieftain before tacking out to sea in search of
breeze.
Defending title holder Eamon Crosbie on Teng Tools was within sight
at that
time but placed mid-fleet on corrected handicap time.
Keep up to date with the race on our dedicated website www.roundirelandyachtrace.ie |