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Media
Information
3rd July,
2006
BMW Round
Ireland Yacht Race 2006 – UPDATE 2
Two boats
have retired from the race as the competition
moves to
the Atlantic
After 48 hours of sailing in the BMW Round Ireland Race, two of the
39 boat
fleet have retired from the competition as the event moves onto the
Atlantic
Ocean.
Both are competitors in the two-handed division and were in the
leading
positions in their class before retiring. Yannick Monnier and
Michael
Greely on Southbound.ie broke a key fitting on their mainsail that
cannot be
repaired at sea. Ironically, the pair were close to their home port
of
Dingle where they have arrived this evening (Monday).
Mike Jacques of Nunatak has also retired as slow progress in the
light headwinds
would not allow them sufficient time to reach the finishing-line at
Wicklow
before the weekend when the crew have prior commitments.
Meanwhile, Konica Minolta Zana continues to lead the fleet on the
water and
was enjoying 22 knot north-easterly winds this afternoon (Monday) as
they
passed the Eagle Island mandatory radio check-in point off the
County Mayo
coast.
Speculation is growing that the New Zealand entry may be able to set
a new
course record but must finish before 4pm on Tuesday to realise this
target.
The actual race for the overall trophy is being dominated by smaller
entries
racing on IRC handicap. Based on the Fastnet Rock check-in times,
defending
title holder Eamon Crosbie on Teng Tools and Aodhan Fitzgerald's
Galway team
on Ireland's West were both covering each other as light winds
hampered
progress of the Kerry coastline.
Sunday night also provided an additional bonus to the fleet when
passing the
West Cork coast. A spectacular display of phosphorescence was
witnessed by
the crew Pepperbox who reported a school of up to six dolphin who
played
with their yacht for 20 minutes during the night, escorting the
Howth YC
team on their race towards Innistearacht.
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