The fog also caused the race committee problems at the start and the RIB at the outer distance mark was invaluable in checking for OCS boats. The wind was westerly force 3 and the fleet were just able to carry their kites. Exiting the Solent to the East there were large holes in the wind to spot and avoid off Bembridge.
The light wind prevailed throughout the race and the first boat to finish was the Carroll Marine 60, Venomous, owned by Derek Saunders, which took over 14 hours to complete the 78 nautical mile course to win IRC Zero. Erivale, Mike Greville's Ker 39 took class honours in IRC One and IRC Overall finishing at 1026. David Ballantyne's J/133 Jings took second in both IRC One and IRC Overall finishing at 1057. She was followed by Class 40 winner Marc Lepesqueux sailing Les Conquérants de Normandie at 1134. Then there was a long wait until the rest of the fleet trickled into Cherbourg over the course of the afternoon.
Steven Anderson sailing his 40.7 Encore two-handed claimed a win in IRC Two, with Ed Broadway's First 40 Carpe Diem second and RORC Commodore Andrew McIrvine's La Réponse third.
In IRC Three Nikki Curwen triumphed in her J/105 Voador from sister ship Diablo-J sailed by Rear Commodore Nick Martin. Peter Olden's A35, Solan Goose piped Noel Racine's Foggy Dew to get third place by four minutes on corrected time.
Jean-Yves Chateau's Iromiguy won IRC Four by over two hours from Ian Braham's Enigma. Kirsteen Donaldson sailing her X332 Pyxis, took third place in IRC Four but was delighted to win the Two-Handed Class beating Steven Anderson's Encore by just four and a half minutes. The win meant all the more to Kirsteen after her disappointment at having to retire in the Rolex Fastnet Race with standing rigging failure.
The race proved a suitable end to a challenging Season. The Season's Point's and other Trophy winners will be announced within the next few days.
