Update: Four in contention to take D2D title

7th June 2009

Four boats in a fleet of 36 still at sea stand out as the main threats this lunchtime to Whisper for handicap honours in the biggest ever Dun Laoghaire to Dingle race. An X41 design and a cutsom built Dubois yacht look like the main threats but others such as George Sisk's WOW, and Tim Costello's Tiamat are also in contention.

Both Legally Brunette and Antix Dubh as the front runners are making steady progress along the Kerry coast even though the winds have lightened. The yachts have until 6pm and 6.30pm respectively to finish and take the overall lead.

Both need to average 5 knots for the last 30 miles of the course and given Brunette is sailed by sailmaker Maurice O'Connell (with Olympian David Burrows as part of the crew) and Antix by World student champion Nicholas O'Leary these are distinct possibilities should the wind stay at 12 mph from the north. At 12 noon the boats were averaging between 6-8 knots and were at Skelig rock (Washerwoman rock) appearing to head inshore for a tidal advantage.

Reports that the breeze had dropped and headed will slow progress considerably and play in to the hands of the clubhouse leader Michael Cotter and his crew on Whisper.

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Published in News From the Afloat.ie Archive

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