#mythofmalham – Anthony O'Leary's Munster Red Ker 40, Catapult is among the front runners of the 141 yachts that crossed the start line for the 2015 Myth of Malham Race today, the largest RORC fleet to set sail since the 2013 Rolex Fastnet Race writes Louay Habib. A light gradient breeze from the north of just 5 knots was enhanced by a developing sea breeze causing erratic wind speed for the starters. Judging the line was extremely difficult but those that succeeded were rewarded with clear air and room to adjust heading, making the best use of the gusts. A windless trap off Lymington was the next hurdle to pass, before cracking sheets for a beam reach along the Jurassic Coast of Dorset, heading for the Eddystone Lighthouse off Plymouth Sound.
Three hours into the race, former RORC Commodore Mike Greville, racing his Ker 39, Erivale III, was the top performer leading the race overall. Mike Greville has a fine record for the Myth of Malham, winning the race outright in 2008. The battle for Line Honours is developing into a fascinating encounter between Piet Vroon's Dutch Ker 51, Tonnerre 4 and British IMOCA 60, Artemis Ocean Racing, skippered by Mikey Ferguson. Tonnerre 4 seems to be heading for the Dorset coast, whilst Artemis Ocean Racing is heading offshore. In IRC One, Michael Bartholomew GP42, Tokoloshe II had a cracking start, leading their class on the water, past Hurst Narrows. However O'Leary's Antix aka Catapult was hot on the heels of the South African team on Tokoloshe II.
32 yachts are taking part in the 229 mile race Two Handed. Three hours into the race James Neville's British Corby 36, Ino was leading after time correction. Elan 40, Flair IV, skippered by Pip Hare was second with French JPK 10.80 Shaitan, skippered by Jean-Eudes Renier third.
In the first start, Harry Heijst's Dutch S&S 41, Winsome, class winner for the race in 2012, led the 32 yachts racing in IRC 4. However, as the fleet left the Solent, it was last year's overall winner, Noel Racine's French JPK 10.10 Foggy Dew, leading on the water and Nigel Goodhew's British Sigma 38, Persephone of London, leading after time correction.
IRC Three had a highly competitive start, resulting in several yachts having to restart with some minor collisions as the 48 yachts tussled for the line. Nick Martin's British J/105, Diablo J, racing Two Handed, got away to a clean start, as did Nigel De Quervain Colley's French Sun Fast 3600, Fastrak X. As the IRC 3 fleet left the Solent, Géry Trentesaux's French JPK 10.80 Courrier Du Leon was leading the class on the water. However after time correction, Nicolas Gaumont-Prat's French First 40.7, Philosophie IV was top of the leader board.
In IRC Two, RORC Admiral, Andrew McIrvine's British First 40, La Reponse, got away to a flying start to lead the 36-yacht class out of the Solent and after time correction. Jim McGregor's British Elan 410, Premier Flair, recovered well from a starting incident to challenge La Reponse for the lead as the class headed down the south coast of England.
Tonight, the fleet are expected to be battling the current which will turn against the yachts at around 1900 BST. Weather forecasts tend to suggest a new easterly breeze of 10 knots arriving during the night, providing the next chapter to the 2015 Myth of Malham Race.
