(Wicklow, Ireland)- The Round Ireland Yacht Race is Ireland’s premier
offshore sailing race and is held every two years by Wicklow Sailing
Club in association with the Royal Ocean Racing Club. The 704 nautical
mile race was first held in 1980 and still retains the original course;
“leave Ireland and all its islands excluding Rockall to starboard.”The calibre of the yachts sailing this race is a clear indication of the status in which the Round Ireland Yacht Race is held by the yachting world. And, top Irish and UK teams from the J/Clan are all participating. Long-time successful short-handed sailor Nick Martin will be sailing with his daughter Niki on the J/105 DIABLO-J- sailing Class IRC 3 and Class IRC 8 Double. In IRC 3 Class are a bunch of J/109 trouble-makers, including SGRECH being sailed by Stephen Tudor from Pwlheli Sailing Club; JEDI sailed by Andrew Sarratt from Royal Irish YC; and JOKER 2 skippered by John Maybury also from Royal Irish YC.
A fast offshore boat that might find favor with the Round Island configuration is the J/120 NUNATAK sailed by Mike Jaques from RORC, sailing IRC 2 Class and IRC 8 Double Class. They could be tough contenders for the Double-handed Honors with the Curwen's J/105 DIABLO-J.
Finally, the J/133 SPIRIT OF JACANA sailed by Bruce Douglas from Carrickfergus YC will be a top contender in IRC 1 Class and the J/122 AQUELINA sailed by Jim Tyrerell from Arklow SC in IRC 2 Class will always be strong contenders given the configuration of the race course-- around islands should be one of their strong suits for a top performance. Given the fact that a mixture of sailing conditions will almost always be on offer from the weather Gods as you blast around what may be the world's "longest round island" race, the J/Teams should be in the hunt.
This past Sunday, the fleet took off is a strong 8-14 kt SSW breeze. Weather forecast and routing specialist Mike Broughton of WinningWind.com gives us his weather predictions for the 2012 Round Ireland Yacht Race. Said Mike, "Even a few days out from the start, this year’s Round Ireland looks set to provide a typical tactical challenge of all boats in the fleet. With the start of the race to be dominated by light to medium S to SW winds, no records are predicted to be broken this year.
The start on Sunday is expected to feature an 8 to 14 knot SSW breeze, meaning an upwind leg towards the Tuskar Rock where making the right tidal calls along the coast, and in particular the Arklow Bank, will be critical.
As
the fleet rounds the Tuskar Rock, the winds will continue to be on the
nose for the majority of the fleet as they make their way to the Fastnet
Rock. Close, tactical racing along the headlands will dominate as the
boats try to find the shortest route along the coast and get any
windbend advantages from the headlands.Conditions on Monday and Tuesday are showing a continuation of the SW winds as the boats make their way along the West Coast, with the potential for winds to veer to a NW direction. Keeping out of the bays could be important along the West Coast as boats weigh up the advantage of flatter seas against the potential for lighter winds in the sheltered bays.
More variable conditions in medium winds are expected along the North Coast. As always, the tides at Rathlin Island will have a significant say in the outcome of the race. Important tactical calls will have to be made as often lighter head tides offshore might make the longer distance travelled worthwhile.
The East Coast will provide fresh challenges for the crews as the large land mass to the west will significantly impact on the breeze. The development of rain radar reports on land will give crews an indication of the cloud conditions approaching and the chance to pick up stronger breeze with the bands of rain coming from the shore.
Overall, the Round Ireland will be a light air and tricky challenge. While it may favour the faster boats in the fleet at present, anything can happen!"
Mike is a former Royal Navy helicopter pilot who now specializes in providing forecasting and weather routing to the elite of the sailing world on a variety of events and race. Mike has been the official weather forecaster for the Irish Commodores’ Cup Team and, most notably, navigated the J/145 JAZZ to class victory in the 2004 Round Ireland Yacht Race. For Round Ireland Race sailing tracks For Round Ireland Sailing Facebook page For more Round Ireland sailing information
