Monday, August 18, 2014

Round Britain & Ireland Race Update

Round Britain & Ireland race course (Cowes, Isle of Wight, England)- Organized by the Royal Ocean Racing Club, the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race is undoubtedly living up to its reputation as one of the toughest yacht races in the world. While other ocean races are longer, racing 1,800 miles around a coastline notorious for highly changeable weather and wicked tides and currents, puts the race amongst the most difficult to complete, let alone win. In fact, conditions were so tough at the start, the RORC wisely delayed the start 24 hours to avoid the remnants of a “depression”/ hurricane that was sweeping across the British Isles.

After the start on Sunday, the Volvo 65s have whistled around the top of the island and the famous “Muckle Flugga” island lighthouse.  The rest of the fleet are now struggling to actually get around it as they head north in the North Sea.

The only bad news so far is that the J/109 RUAG WHITE KNIGHT had reported a separated shoulder amongst its crew, but everyone was doing OK.  At this stage, amongst the J/Teams, first is the J/122 RELENTLESS ON JELLYFISH, sailed by Chris Radford and James George followed by the J/111 BRITISH SOLDIER, the UK’s Army Sailing Association team, skippered by led by Phil Caswell and in third is Rob Hammond and the UK’s Royal Armoured Corps Yacht Club sailing the J/109 RUAG WHITE KNIGHT 7.
Follow the three J/Teams with YellowBrick tracking.   For more RORC Round Britain & Ireland Race sailing information