Round Ireland Race Day Five (Wednesday) 1830 hrs - The Cookson 50 Kuka3 (Franco Niggeler, Switzerland) took line honours in the SSE Renewables Round Ireland Race 2022 at 18:09 hrs this evening off the Wicklow pierhead, after closing in on the finish in a local breeze which had the canting-keel sloop sailing over the final miles at 8.4 knots.
It was a welcome reversal of circumstances for her crew – which includes Tom McWilliam of Crosshaven sail-making connections - as the light winds and total calms experienced for much of today had seen her covering only 92 miles in the last 24 hours, frustrating going for a boat which can easily put 250 miles astern in a day when conditions suit.
For the rest of the fleet, light winds continue to dictate progress, but progress is being made. The current overall IRC leader on handicap continues to be Mike & Richie Evans’ J/99 Snapshot (Howth YC), but a new name has come to the fore in second place in the form of Ian Hickey’s Cavatina (Royal Cork YC).
Former overall winner Cavatina had a good day in getting along the North Coast and into the North Channel, as did other boats in the lower-rated part of the fleet, such that Snapshot’s closest rivals for much of the day – the French J/111 SL Energies and the JPK 10.80 Rockabill VI (Paul O’Higgins, RIYC) are currently lying 5th and 6th.
Race Tracker & Data below