In a dramatic start, all 38 boats in the BMW Round Ireland Yacht Race are safely through their first 24 hour's sailing and past the Tuskar Rock on Ireland's South-Eastern corner. Light winds have befallen the entire coastline as far as Fastnet off West Cork, an unexpected challenge for many race hopefuls.
Lascar recalled
The race began with a gunshot from the Committee boat, L.E. Aoife. Everyone was fine except Lascar which had to be recalled as she tangled her jib around the forestay and went over the line too early. She came back around the stern of the Committee Boat, where she re-started and joined the fleet four and a half minutes later.
Biggest challenger
The biggest yacht ever to compete in the race Konica Minolta Zana continues to lead the fleet after her mandatory Fastnet radio check-in on Saturday at 1615, just over 24 hours since the start of the race at Wicklow.
Becalmed pack
With moderate winds forecast from the south-west corner off the County Kerry the 98 foot New Zealander should be able to extend her lead from the becalmed pack astern.
Overall leader
Based on handicap corrected times at the Tuskar Rock, Konica Minolta Zana was leading overall while Roy Heiner on his VO 60 footer chartered to Lyons Solicitors of Dublin was in second place.
Slow race
Current Round Ireland record holder JP Chomette on Solune was in third place in a repeat of the 2004 BMW Round Ireland Race that saw similar conditions on the second day slow his progress.
Short rations
In fact, there is a real prospect of a slower race than normal. Limerick entry Altana Chieftain reported total calm off the Old Head of Kinsale and was surrounded by smaller boats. The crew of the Cookson 50 provisioned for four days but based on current progress, their finish could be later than Wednesday. They could get hungry!
Hunting the wind
Ireland's West, the Galway entry skippered by Aodhan Fitzgerald came within three miles of Chieftain before tacking out to sea in search of breeze. Defending title holder Eamon Crosbie on Teng Tools was within sight at that time but placed mid-fleet on corrected handicap time.
