J/Teams Amazing Sweep of IRC 2 Class(Cowes, England)- Tenacity and dogged determination came to the fore for the class winners of the 230nm Myth of Malham Race. With a light fickle northerly breeze, staying alert and making the best of the light conditions was the recipe for success. Yachts from Britain, France, Germany and Oman were the class winners.
Gilles Fournier's French J/133 PINTIA was the overall winner of the Myth of Malham Race, after a tremendous battle with another 44 footer in the race. The two boats were literally side-by-side for the 230nm race and after IRC time correction; PINTIA was the winner by just eight seconds after 38 hours of racing.
Gilles Fournier was sailing back to their homeport of Le Havre when he heard the news that they won. "The whole crew are delighted,” commented Gilles. "When you are on the right side by eight seconds it is nice. Our competitors managed to stay ahead of us for sometime but we caught up and rounded Eddystone in front, but then we ran out of wind and they passed us again. However, we never gave up, we kept up our motivation to the end because we knew that it would be very close. We are a family boat, PINTIA sails with my daughter Corinne Migraine and my grandson Victor Migraine and my two nephews; Yan and Thomas Fournier. Also, Daniel Devos, who is one of the best Laser Masters in the world. We are all from the Société des Régates du Havre and it is the best sailing school in France."
In IRC Two, Fournier's PINTIA scored a commanding victory, winning the class by nearly five hours after time correction. Two British J/122s enjoyed a terrific battle for second place. After racing for two days and night, Andy Theobald's R&W crossed the finish line just two minutes ahead of David Richards' JOLLY JELLYFISH sailed by Gianluca Folloni. However, after time correction JOLLY JELLYFISH won the battle for second place. The Army Sailing Association's J/122, BRITISH SOLDIER finished a tenacious fifth to take the class lead for the season in IRC Two Class.
In IRC Three, Nick Martin's British J/105 DIABLO-J took third, followed by Nikki Curwen’s J/105 VOADOR in 4th, Chris Palmer’s J/109 J’T’AIME in 6th and Chris Burleigh’s JYBE TALKIN’ in 9th. As a result, DIABLO-J holds on to third in IRC 3 for the season points series.
In IRC Two-Handed Class, Robert Nelson's J/105 BIGFOOT was fourth, just 11 minutes behind Martin’s J/105 DIABLO-J, retaining the IRC Two-Handed class lead for the season. Nikki Curwen’s J/105 VOADOR rounded out the top five, taking fifth for the race.
The RORC Season's Points Championship continues with the 125-mile Morgan Cup Race on Friday 10 June from Cowes to Dieppe. For RORC Myth of Malham Race sailing information
|
