Saturday 16 June 2012
RORC IRC National Championship, Cowes 15-17 June 2012
Fresh to Frightening
Day 2 Race Report: Louay Habib
Images: Paul Wyeth/www.pwpictures.com
Ballistic conditions in the Eastern Solent provided an extraordinary combat zone
for the second day of the RORC IRC National Championship. With 25 knots of wind
gusting up to a full gale, pulses were racing, the conditions were such that many
yachts chose not to hoist spinnakers downwind and storm sails and lifejackets were
deployed in the lively conditions.
Ballistic conditions on day 2 of the RORC IRC National Championship regatta
Credit: Paul Wyeth/pwpictures.com
Mike Bartholomew's King 40, Tokoloshe, corrected out to win today's race in IRC
One. Tokoloshe handled the conditions better than most, making a big gain on the
first beat by using the lift off the island shore. After a textbook kite hoist,
the South African boat handled the feisty conditions with some ease until a vicious
gust knocked them into a spin, tearing their spinnaker in half. "Great racing, just
fantastic!" exclaimed Mike Bartholomew. "We knew we had done pretty well at the
finish but it could have been a really expensive day, as we lost most of the spinnaker
over the side. However, to my delight, Eddie Warden Owen and Nick Elliott from the
RORC were out following the racing in a RIB, to my surprise they picked it up and
returned it to the boat after the finish, which really capped off a fine win."
Piet Vroon's Ker 46, Tonnerre de Breskens, was second today, retaining the lead
in the big boat class for the series. As Tonnerre came round the top mark, the Dutch
flier hoisted their spinnaker, pulling the trigger downwind at over 20 knots. The
sleigh ride did not last too long, after burying the bow Tonnerre went 'down the
mine' for a spectacular wipe-out.
You can watch the action from their on board camera here: http://youtu.be/C-8nmONnXg4
François Goubau's First 47.7, Moana, was one of the few yachts to reef their indexsail
today and showed impressive upwind performance to take third place in IRC One from
Anthony O'Leary's Antix by just 13 seconds.
In IRC Two Sailing Logic's Reflex 38, Visit Malta Puma, corrected out to win today's
race and move up to first in class after four races. The sailing school yacht chose
not to use a spinnaker and the decision seemed to pay off. "I actually wanted to
put the kite up," admitted Visit Malta Puma's Skipper Tim Thubron. "The crew made
me change my mind, which was probably a good thing having witnessed some of the
big broaches out there today. On the short course we would have not gained significant
time on the run with a kite up, I was absolutely delighted with the win today and
especially the performance of the crew."
Marc de Saint Denis's MC34, Courrier Vintage, with the highly experienced Géry Trentesaux
at the wheel was a rocket ship downwind, scoring a second in the race to move the
French team within a point of the class leader. Jim Macgregor's Elan 410, Premier
Flair, put in a great performance today, only to be called OCS but at the time of
this report is seeking redress. Even so, Premier Flair reindexs third in class on
their strong performances.
In IRC Three David Franks' JPK 1010, Strait Dealer, scored their fourth win in a
row but only just. Defending class champion, Mike Bridges' Elan 37, Elaine, was
only 10 seconds behind on corrected time, with Peter Morton's Corby 33, Salvo,
claiming third today and in class after four races.
"We certainly learnt a lot about the boat today," commented Strait Dealer's skipper,
David Franks. "This weekend is the first time we have taken the boat out in big
breeze and it has been a real eye-opener. I like to race offshore as well as inshore
and out in the ocean you have to be able to race in any conditions, so today was
a very valuable lesson."
In IRC Four Grant Gordon's J/97, Fever, won the day and now leads the class from
Mike and Jamie Holmes' J/97, Jika Jika. "We had a bad start but the crew did a
great job upwind. We led at the top mark and from there we could cover Jika Jika,"
commented Grant Gordon. "I have to say, it is a shame to be back on the dock, that
was some of the best sailing I have done in the boat but on balance it was a good
call to get us out there for a race but also to pull as back in early. On the way
back to Cowes we saw a couple of gusts close to 40 knots. I thought the race management
today was first class."
Tomorrow is the last day of racing at the RORC IRC National Championship and all
classes are still wide open. The weather forecast is for a more moderate breeze
of between 10-15 knots, which should provide more of a tactical test after a two
day masterclass in the black art of heavy weather sailing.
|
