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.

Meanwhile, Konica Minolta Zana continues to lead the fleet on the water and was enjoying 22 knot north-easterly winds yesterday afternoon as they passed the Eagle Island mandatory radio check-in point off the County Mayo coast.

Speculation is growing that the New Zealand entry may be able to set a course record, but must finish before 4pm today to realise this target.

The actual race for the overall trophy is being dominated by smaller entries racing on IRC handicap. Based on the Fastnet Rock check-in times, defending title holder Eamon Crosbie on Teng Tools and Aodhan Fitzgerald’s Galway team on Ireland’s West were both covering each other as light winds hampered progress of the Kerry coastline.

Sunday night also provided an additional bonus to the fleet when passing the West Cork coast. A spectacular display of phosphorescence was witnessed by the crew of Pepperbox who reported a school of up to six dolphin who played with their yacht for 20 minutes during the night, escorting the Howth YC team on their race towards Innistearacht.