Tanit tops as conditions play big part in nailbiting finish

Headwinds and foul tides on the Irish Sea yesterday performed their typical deciding role in the Round Ireland Race as the main fleet reached the Wicklow finishing line.

In a nailbiting finish, Scottish entry Tanit, skippered by Richard Harris with Round the World Race sailor Richie Fearon from Derry on board, emerged as the overall race winner, albeit subject to official confirmation.

Crossing the line at Wicklow shortly before 10am yesterday, there were the same warm cheers from the shore that all the finishers get.

At that stage, Dun Laoghaire entry Ruth, skippered by Liam Shanahan, was the provisional overall leader and thanks to a lower handicap had another four hours to reach Wicklow and beat Tanit.

Ian Hickey’s Cavatina from the Royal Cork Yacht Club was far back along the 704-mile track but thanks to the age of the veteran Granada 38-footer, a generous handicap allowed a further 16 hours to get to Wicklow and win.

But the weather played its hand first. Ruth sailed straight into a giant hole in the already light breeze just off Kilcoole near Greystones almost in sight of the finish. After briefly sailing backwards, the team managed to get going again and picked up speed against the flood tide. But the delay cost them dearly and they crossed the line seven minutes after the deadline to beat Tanit.

Last night, Cavatina had her own deadline to reach Wicklow of 2am this morning. But with headwinds turning light, Hickey’s crew could only rely on an unheard of miracle to accelerate their boat-speed and bounce them towards Wicklow.