Media Information

6th July, 2006

 

BMW Round Ireland Yacht Race 2006 – UPDATE 5

New Zealand boat crosses the race line first

 

Shortly before nine o'clock on Wednesday evening, Stuart Thwaites’ 98 foot

Konica Minolta Zana from Wellington, New Zealand crossed the finishing-line at

Wicklow Sailing Club to win line honours in the BMW Round Ireland Yacht

Race.

 

After four days and almost five hours at sea, headwinds tracked the fleet

leader for the entire 704-mile course and denied the super-maxi either the

course or race record.

 

Depending on breeze over the next 24 hours, Konica Minolta may emerge winner

of Class Super Zero though the latest forecast calls for freshening weather

to arrive from the south-west overnight which could aid the other big boats.

 

"We tried to push all the headlands rather than go 100 miles offshore to

hunt for breeze and we did see 25 knots at one stage," said navigator Steve

Hayles.  "The last stage (south down the Irish Sea) was frustrating but all

in all, it was awesome and I really enjoyed it."

 

The course record remains at 57 hours set in 2005 by JP Chomette on City Jet

Solune of France, while Colm Barrington's 1998 race record of 76 hours and 23 minutes

is also unbeaten.

 

Currently, 36 boats remain at sea racing and the next group of boats are

expected to finish from mid-day on Thursday while it is likely to be

Saturday before the overall winner can be confirmed.