(London, England)- The 2012 season, consisting of 10 offshore races, was
host to unpredictable conditions ranging from the lightest of breezes
to the roughest of seas. Many boats were pushed to their limits,
particularly in the Myth of Malham Race when only 3 boats, one
Two-Handed, held their nerve to finish. The father and daughter team,
Simon and Nikki Curwen on the J/105 VOADOR, won the race overall,
beating the two other fully crewed finishers!Two of the cross channel races had particular significance this year. The Cervantes Trophy Race was combined with the 50th Anniversary of the Deauville Race and attracted over 100 entrants from the five organising yacht clubs.
2012 was Nick Martin's year. The RORC member has raced his J/105, DIABLO-J, Two-Handed through many RORC seasons, consistently finishing at the top end of the leader board.
Shorthanded racing has a growing number of devotees who take pleasure from the physical and mental demands of racing. Snatching mere moments sleep and going through maneuvers other boats do fully crewed means that racing competitively against the main fleet requires stamina, grit and determination. DIABLO-J's achievement cannot be underestimated: to win the Two Handed class is impressive, and to win IRC Three extraordinary, but to then place 3rd in IRC Overall is outstanding!
DIABLO-J's 1st place in IRC Three follows a 4th placing in 2011 and they came through to beat the previous two-time winner, Foggy Dew. In the end, an enormous and heart-felt "Congratulations" to Nick Martin and team aboard DIABLO-J, truly a remarkable performance across the span of an entire sailing season in the challenging offshore waters between the UK and France! For more RORC Series sailing information
