|
ROYAL OCEAN RACING CLUB
Übersicht RORC 2012
15 June 2012
RORC IRC National Championship
Day 1: Flying Start
Race Report: Louay Habib
All images: Paul Wyeth/pwpictures.com
Flying Start: RORC IRC National Championship, Cowes 15-17 June 2012
It's a long way to the top if you want to rock 'n' roll and under pewter grey skies
with big breeze and frequent rain squalls, the sailors today had a harsh introduction
to the RORC IRC National Championship.
Michael Bartholomew's King 40, Tokoloshe Credit: Paul Wyeth/pwpictures.com
Shortly after the first start, the international fleet got a taste of the wicked
conditions, as an angry 35-knot gust ripped through the racecourse. Thankfully,
it was the biggest blast of the day but the wind rarely dropped below 20 knots
and rain peppered the competitors throughout the three races. Spotting the huge
gusts and nailing manoeuvres were vital to success. Some passed the test with flying
colours, others returned to shore with shredded sails and dented pride.
|
Fotos: Paul Wyeth/pwpictures.com
|
In IRC One, Piet Vroon's Ker 46, Tonnerre de Breskens started the series with a
disappointing tenth, but came back firing on all cylinders to win the next two races
and lead class one overnight. After racing, Piet Vroon commented: "It is a simple
rule but he who makes the fewest mistakes usually gets the best results. We didn't
break anything today, not even a sail batten and that is all down to the crew being
careful and handling the boat well. I was especially happy with our results today,
as on short courses we do not have a lot of time to make up our time handicap on
other boats, it was great effort by the crew today, it really is all down to them."
Anthony O'Leary's Ker 39, Antix is second in class after three races. "We kept the
sails above the boat today and to be honest I was too pre-occupied with that to
notice those who didn't manage it. In those conditions, you keep your eyes on the
road!" Jan Persoons sailing Grand Soleil 43, Il Corvo had a consistent day to claim
third overall in the big boat class. Mark Devereux's Swan 42, Brevity, started well
but the crew will probably remember the day best for their über-Chinese gybe, caught
on camera by Paul Wyeth.
It's tight at the top of IRC Two with just one point separating the top four yachts
after three races. Jim Macgregor's Elan 410, Premier Flair, was in fine form today
and they needed to be - a badly shredded kite threatened to put them out of contention
in Race 2 but the team showed great tenacity to claw their way back to claim a second
place finish in the race. Jim's daughter, Lucy Macgregor, was calling tactics, grinning
from ear to ear and obviously enjoying a break from her build up to representing
Great Britain at the upcoming Olympic Games. Past RORC Commodore Andrew McIrvine's
First 40, La Réponse, finished the day in fine style taking the gun in Race 3 by
a substantial margin to claim second in class. However, La Réponse is tied on points
with Marc de Saint Denis & Géry Trentesaux's MC34, Courrier Vintage and Sailing
Logic's Reflex 38, Visit Malta Puma.
Today's outstanding performance came from IRC Three. David Franks' JPK1010, Strait
Dealer scored three bullets by some margin, exhibiting terrific boat handling, one
of the smallest yachts at the regatta was fully under control in the feisty conditions.
"I have to say that it was easier in our class to read the shifts because we had
two starts in front of us to observe" admitted Strait Dealer's tactician, Graham
Sunderland. "We concentrated on tactics upwind today and more on the boat handling
downwind, which I think paid off. I was absolutely delighted for David (Franks),
his Etchells racing has massively improved his driving skills, and he was top of
his game today. Also I would like to add that the RORC race management team did
a great job snapping off three races today in quick succession."
IRC Four had a different winner in each race today, Grant Gordon's J/97, Fever won
the first rubber but rival J/97, Jika Jika, sailed by Mike and Jamie Holmes, fought
back to take Race Two. Michael Kershaw's Chimp, was the last boat to finish in Race
3 but on corrected time the vintage Half Tonner enjoyed their first bullet of the
regatta.
Racing at the RORC IRC National Championship continues tomorrow with three races
scheduled. However, it may be too early to put away the wet weather gear - the
weather forecast is suggesting fresh to frightening conditions for the second day
of the regatta.
Report by Louay Habib
Fleet racing in the Solent on day 1 of the IRC National Championship, Cowes Credit:
Paul Wyeth/pwpictures.com
Testing conditions for the fleet
|
|
|
