Konica Minolta Zana continues to lead as two yachts retire

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 arrived last evening.

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.