Light winds leave Round Ireland fleet making high-stakes tactical gambles

Khumbu was furthest ahead on the water off Clifden on Monday while the main pack were still passing Loop Head.

If the wind does fill in as promised on Tuesday, Venomous could quickly gain miles on leader Khumbu once again but the strategy is risky. Pic: David Branigan/Oceansport

Unusually light winds dominating the biennial Round Ireland Race have brought the fleet to a critical stage where high stakes tactical gambles are set to be decided on Tuesday.

Having led the fleet to Wicklow Head on Saturday, Graeme Lewis on Venomous dropped back as Guy Gillon's Botin 56 footer Khumbu powered ahead soon after and is favourite to take line honours at Wicklow by the finish.

And that finish is a long way off still.

Lewis rolled the dice early on Monday and headed west, away from the Blasket Islands in search of forecast fresher conditions as the main fleet was almost becalmed closer to the Kerry coast.

But the smaller boats were still able to make some progress at least and appeared to be further ahead of the big 60-footer.

If the wind does fill in as promised, Venomous could quickly gain miles once again but it’s a risky strategy.

For now, Khumbu was furthest ahead on the water off Clifden just before sunset while the main pack were still passing Loop Head.

That gap could prove crucial on Tuesday as the winds are forecast to begin turning against the fleet, most of whom are still only slightly better than drifting.

Khumbu could get a break if this wind does turn and if so, the overall race win could come into view as the title is decided on corrected time, a formula similar to handicapping.

Still to come in terms of hurdles is the notorious tidal gate at Rathlin Island on the north coast where wind again becomes critical: a calm on this stretch combined with poor timing for the ebbing tide means anchoring for six hours for the unlucky crews.

Even with favourable winds, this edition of the Round Ireland seems set to be longer than most, possibly seeing the first finisher not reach Wicklow until Thursday and some smaller boats taking a full week to complete the 704-nautical mile course.

Already, Polished Manx from the Isle of Man has opted to retire to Kinsale, the only boat to pull out so far due to timing concerns.

However, those still at sea will be eagerly anticipating Tuesday’s promised fresher wind for the glorious Atlantic seaboard stage and a hoped-for, well-timed arrival at Malin Head.