Round Ireland Race: Khumbu unable to shake pursuing pack

Crowds line the pier and shoreline for the start of the 704 nautical-mile Round Ireland Race where 53 boats from Ireland overseas gathered for the contest that could last up to six days. Pic: David Branigan/Oceansport Repro

A game of snakes and ladders was being played out along the Cork coastline on Sunday as the 53 boats in the Round Ireland Race made slow and steady progress along their 704 nautical mile route.

British entry Khumbu was leading the field but only in the ‘line honours’ stakes, unable to open up clear ground from the pursuing pack.

It has been like this from the outset on Saturday from the starting-line in front of crowds thronging the pier walls along the Black Castle route by the town.

Ducking out of the worst effects of the tide meant short tacks into the shoreline to the famous beaches that line the sunny south-east corner of Ireland.

Some took their chances with the depth and French entry Solano became stuck in a shallow patch, losing vital minutes until able to sail off again.

In the local maritime history of times past, other vessels weren’t so lucky but the balmy conditions provided a get out of gaol free card this time.

Nevertheless, the race was on not just to finish but within the Round Ireland are a series of natural hurdles where timing is everything and luck more than optional.

At the Tuskar Rock off Wexford, the entire fleet was becalmed with some boats opting to drop anchor to avoid being swept backwards by the tide.

But this race is already proving exceptional, this time on the more kind end of the scale.

Typically, turning onto the south coast would mean being greeted by blustery headwinds and rough seas: surviving this stage becomes the goal and the indicator is how many boats retire to ports like Dunmore East, Cork Harbour, Kinsale and later Dingle or Fenit.

But in 2026, not one entry has pulled out and despite the light winds, are all making steady progress towards West Cork and Fastnet Rock lighthouse.

Which is bad news for Khumbu as the leader would usually expect to break and open up considerable distances after the first 24 hours.

This means the race is shaping up to be won overall by a smaller entry as being first boat home, while great for morale and bragging rights isn’t the main objective for the event.

All entries are scored on IRC corrected time, a weighting system similar to handicapping that makes allowances for shapes, sizes and likely performance. Older and less exotic boats aren’t penalised whereas state-of-the-art entries, likely sailing with professional crews have to perform exceptionally well to win.

For Barry O’Connor and Mick Liddy on Bergins Katanca, picking the smallest boat available and sailing it well could be a winning formula.

And it was looking like paying off until early on Sunday morning, after anchoring in the light winds, their electric windlass used for hauling up their anchor blew the main circuit breaker on board.

Having been listed as provisional leaders, the pair lost two hours fashioning a new main fuse as they had no spare on board. As the main fleet sailed away, their hopes appeared to be dashed.

But, after just one of possibly six days at sea this, there are certain to be more twists ahead and in Liddy’s own words: “hero to zero”.

Racing continues non-stop going into the new week when the leaders are expected to pass the Kerry coastline and turn northwards.