Rolex Fastnet Race - Around the Rock
Karl Kwok's Farr 80, Beau Geste rounded the Fastnet Rock just before 06:00 with Niklas Niklas Zennstrom's JV 72, RÁN approximately 6 miles astern and also round. It was a frustrating approach for both with the wind dying as they got near to the famous lighthouse.
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RÁN will be looking to hold onto the coat tails of the 80 footer but Vittorio Volonte's STP 65, Luna Rossa is not far behind but is slowing down as the breeze decreases for them as they approach the Irish coast. Half way across the Irish Sea, Nigel Passmore’s Plymouth based TP 52, Apollo, is leading the class on handicap but may fall back down the rankings as the mini maxis speed away downhill, en route back to Plymouth. The wind is predicted to swing easterly and eventually strengthen to about 15 knots. Up ahead the lead boat, Mike Slade's ICAP Leopard looks set to take line honours by a canter but a record run looks unlikely. However ICAP Leopard has gybed to the west, this may be to get a better wind angle to Land's End when the wind shifts to the left. It will be interesting to see how, Beau Geste and RÁN use this change in wind direction to their advantage but they will both be keeping an eye out for Luna Rossa who should be quick in light to medium downwind conditions. The Spanish Swan 53, La Foresta del Mar, still holds sway in IRC Zero with American RP 48, Sjambok in second. But after an average start, the highly fancied Ker 46, Tonnerre de Breskens, has broken into the top three and will fancy their chances dowwind, especially against the heavy displacement La Foresta del Mar. In IRC 1A, French Grand Soleil 43, Codiam is leading on handicap from L'Ange de Millon, an X 43. Whilst in IRC 1B, The Commodore of the Royal Ocean Racing Club, Andrew McIrvine, racing Quokka 7 has managed to get pole position after a close battle with Reflex 38, Puma Logic. Both of these boats have corinthian crews. IRC 2A Arcona 37, Arcsine, are leading on handicap and have just passed Land's End having tacked north, in second place is the classic Humphrey's 40, Old Mother Gun who have gone offshore, although the two boats are on an equal distance to the rock, over 20 miles separate the two on the water. IRC 3A has a new leader, Dufour 34, Major Tom, has left ground control and is heading offshore whilst Sigma 38, With Altricity is in second place, having tacked half way in shore of Major Tom. Whilst in IRC 3B, David Lees, Lymington based High Tension 36, Hephzibah, has a commanding lead. As well as having a great position to win class at the 2009 Rolex Fastnet, they may well be thinking about the RORC Season's Points Championship; they are looking like a top contender. Last but by no means least, there are 28 boats competing in the Rolex Fastnet Race, two handed. Completing a 608 mile race with a tactically and physically demanding course is tough enough, attempting it two handed requires all round ability, stamina and fortitude. Currently leading by a long way on the water and on handicap is Mike Moxley's HOD 35, Malice. You couldn't find a nicer bloke than Mike but to be fair, he hasn't always won in big races. I am sure those who know him will wish him and his co-skipper all the luck. However, the bowsprit J Boats in his class will fancy their chances downwind in the light, once they get around the rock. |
Update At 00:26 GMT this morning Mike Slade's 100ft supermaxi ICAP Leopard was the first boat in the 2009 Rolex Fastnet Race to round the Fastnet Rock off the coast of southwestern Ireland. In a 10-15 knot westerly breeze, Karl Kwok's Farr 80 Beau Geste passed at approximately 04:44 GMT, followed by the IRC Class SZ leader on handicap, Niklas Zennström's Judel-Vrolijk 72 Ran 2 at 05:08 GMT. Behind them were a gaggle of boats led by the first two IMOCA 60s, Sam Davies and Sidney Gavignet on the fully-crewed Artemis Ocean Racing, ten minutes ahead of Seb Josse's BT IMOCA 60, the first doublehanded entry in the Rolex Fastnet Race. Behind them at 08:00 GMT, en route to the Pantaenius buoy, the offset mark southwest of the Fastnet lighthouse, were two more IMOCA 60s, Volvo Ocean Race winner Mike Sanderson on Pindar, just ahead of Frenchman Marc Guillemot on Safran. The Italian America's Cup team on the STP65 Luna Rossa rounded later, at 07:54 GMT, having suffered slightly by approaching the Fastnet Rock from a more northerly angle. At the time, the Italians had Dee Caffari's IMOCA 60 Aviva on their tail. Earlier Caffari reported: "We had more breeze than we anticipated overnight which means we will be rounding the Fastnet Rock just in time for breakfast. We have sight of at least four other IMOCA 60s showing just how close this race is." Roger Sturgeon's US entry, the STP65 Rosebud/Team DYT was expected at the Fastnet Rock an hour after Aviva. The forecast is showing an area of high pressure encroaching on the southwest of the British Isles over the course of today. In order to remain in the strongest breeze, ICAP Leopard has taken a radical northerly route towards Bishops Rock, the next mark of the course, located to the west of the Scilly Isles, 150 miles southeast of the Fastnet. While Slade's super-maxi is on a heading taking her towards the Bristol Channel, Beau Geste and Ran 2 are sticking closer to the rhumb line. With conflicting forecasts it remains to be seen which will be the better tactic - Slade's approach is longer but should ensure they stay in breeze, the direct route is more risky, but shorter. This morning the bulk of the Rolex Fastnet Race fleet are between the Lizard and one third of the way across the Celtic Sea towards the Fastnet Rock. Midway to the Rock, the Jamie Olazabal-skippered Swan 56 La Floresta Del Mar is still leading in Class IRC Z, while the three small IRC Classes all have French handicap leaders: the Grand Soleil 43 Codiam in IRC 1, while Didier Darbot's Sphinx 33 Parsifal still leads IRC 2 and is located just to the north of the Scilly Isles, just ahead of Fabrice Tropes's Dufour 34, Major Tom, the new IRC 3 leader. Depending upon her progress today, ICAP Leopard is expected in Plymouth late this evening. Source: Rolex Fastnet Race |
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