Risky move pays off for Khumbu in Round Ireland Race

Leader Khumbu looks set to finish at Wicklow on Wednesday

Khumbu leads the way in the Round Ireland Race. Pic:  David Branigan/Oceansport

Leading entry Khumbu had picked up speed and swept past the notorious tidal gate at Rathlin Island on Tuesday as a finish in the Round Ireland Race looks set for Wednesday.

The sleek racing machine had been unable to break away from the main fleet of boats until reaching the Mayo coast where a risky move to sail far offshore in search of wind paid dividends.

By Tuesday lunchtime, the leader was surging toward Malin Head at speeds close to 20 knots while the smaller boats further back waited for the breeze to arrive.

They were soon sailing quickly but for Guy Gillon’s crew in the lead, getting as far ahead as possible is crucial if they want a tilt at the overall prize awarded under corrected time, a form of handicapping.

While Gillon will almost assuredly win ‘line honours’ for first home, an overall winning scenario needs the remaining boats to stay at sea long enough for the clock to run down against them.

Such a scenario is already emerging.

The favourable wind that brought Khumbu across the north coast kept blowing into Tuesday evening which meant they were able to get past Rathlin and into the North Channel between Ulster and Scotland.

Some time in the early hours on Wednesday, they should be able to turn south and point directly at the finishing-line at Wicklow.

The wind is also likely to remain favourable for them but, crucially less so for the chasing pack.

They face the prospect of being becalmed once again for the third time since starting the 704 nautical mile race on Saturday and if badly timed, they could have to anchor if the Rathlin tide is adverse.

On the provisional overall standings, Khumbu has moved up to second overall while Ireland’s Outrageous skippered by John Murphy leads though this has been interchangeable with French legend Gery Trentesaux on Courrier Pogo.

Further back, as far as Galway Bay the smaller entries are finding the breeze a welcome relief despite the glorious conditions and displays of sea mammals from dolphin to whales.

On Bergins Katanca, co-skipper Mick Liddy remarked that his seaboots haven’t even been unpacked in the balmy weather.

However, as one of the last placed boats that could yet be a contender for the overall prize, a forecast of near gale conditions for Friday on the Irish Sea may yet see the Search & Rescue Helicopter pilot fully suited and booted in this race.