RORC Race Reports

Red Funnel Easter Challenge Day 2

Day 2: Saturday 19th April 2003

What A Difference A Day Makes…

Strong north easterly winds gusting up to 30knots severely tested both crews and gear on day two of the Red Funnel Easter Regatta. The tough conditions out on the water caused the 5th and final race to be cancelled.

Casualties to boats included two broken masts and a boom, as well as several breakages and lots of damage to sails. The rough conditions took their toll as a total of six people went overboard during the racing in the afternoon. Andrew McIrvine of the J-125 Wings of the Wind commented: “We were just 10 yards from the finish, close racing with another boat. The guys on the rail decided to put an extra lean out when the wire pulled out of the swagged fitting on the middle lifeline. Suddenly there was nothing supporting them and four crew fell into the water. Two managed to clamber back on and two drifted off. Luckily their lifejackets worked but we then had problems in taking the sails down with not many crew. The main halyard was in a knot so the jib wouldn’t come down and the Swan 45 Wisc picked up the two crew and a RIB transferred them back to the boat. They are all OK and everyone is happy”. Wings of the Wind are now busy replacing all the linelines!

Two other incidents occurred today: During the course of a gybe, a crew member aboard Exotic, the X332 also went overboard. She was in the water for several minutes before she was spotted by the French boat Giselle of Course. Philippe Bourgeois and Pierrick Bellet helped to keep her afloat, holding onto her lifejacket and she was eventually pulled on board a rescue boat and has been taken to hospital in Newport suffering from shock and cold. On the Army Sailing Association’s Prima 38, Longbow, a man was lost overboard in race four but again was retrieved swiftly, with the boat retired shortly after.

For those who were more fortunate, the conditions of the day provided some good close racing. Fair Do’s V, the Kerr 11.3 continued to race well, taking 2nd place in race 3 and winning race 4 and the IRM class today. They were followed by two Farr 40’s: in 2nd place Mark Heeley’s GBR25 and by last year’s Red Funnel Easter Challenge IRM1 winners Too Steamy, sailed by Nick and Anne Haigh, who having moved up two places and are trying hard to defend their 2002 title.

Kit Hobday’s Farr 52 Bear of Britain also had a good day on the race course. They won both races, taking them to the top of the IRC Super Zero and Zero table. They will be part of The Royal Thames Yacht Club (GBR) team taking part in the Admiral’s Cup in July.

Yesterday’s winner in this class, Glynn Williams on Wisc managed two consecutive 3rd places but came 2nd overall in class ahead of Chernikeef and Alvine XIII.

Amongst the IRC classes, in IRC1 Exabyte 2, the IMX40 gained a lead over Ian Handley’s Royal Blue Addict, the First 40.7, with Fastwave II, another First 40.7 and winners of the Red Funnel Prix d’Elegance Trophy last year, staying in 3rd position ahead of the Prima 38 Kylidh.

The IRC Class 2 lead was held by Jim MacGregor;s Kier Building with Flair once again today, with a win in the final race keeping them one series point ahead of Tim Harrington’s HOD 35 Capitali$m. Peter Bruce’s Humphrey’s 35, Owl also gained places, with a 3rd in her class ahead of Duncan Morris’s First 40.7 Bump in the Night, winners of IRC2 in 2002.

IRC3 has a new leader after two races today, Stuart Broughton’s Sunfast 32, Penultima. Sareema, Robert McLeod’s Fulmar came up to 2nd place overall in class after taking 2nd in race 4 behind Penultima. Excalibur, Mike and June Tong’s Tamara 30 also raced well in race 3 with a 2nd place position and taking them to third overall in IRC 3, although they retired from the last race of the day.

Once back in the safety of the marina, another packed to capacity post race debrief was held by Jim Saltonstall and Barry Dunning, followed by the day’s prizegiving ceremony. After a much needed drink, the exhausted crews exchanged tales of their day’s racing and looked ahead to another exciting day out on the water on the final day – Easter Sunday, before enjoying a special BBQ laid on as part of the social programme of the regatta, held at Cowes Yacht Haven.

Note: The RORC also started the inaugural Round Britain Challenge Race today at 1300 from the Royal Yacht Squadron line. The eight identical 72ft steel-hulled yachts, each carrying one professional skipper and mate and 16 crew made up of crew volunteers, will race non-stop round the coast line of Britain and Ireland in a clockwise direction. The Challenge Business race will finish in Cowes and is likely to take between 10-12 days to complete. ENDS/…