Baltimore RNLI held the early advantage in the Beaufort Cup's opening offshore race as part of Cork Week Regatta on Monday as the fleet settled into the 122-nautical-mile challenge from Haulbowline Naval Base to the Fastnet Rock and back.
Thunder Start: A ceremonial cannon signals the start of the Beaufort Cup offshore race from Haulbowline Naval Base as military, emergency service and RNLI crews set off on the 122-nautical-mile challenge to the Fastnet Rock and back
The five-boat fleet got away under a traditional ceremonial cannon fired from Haulbowline Naval Base, setting course for the Fastnet Rock in initially lgiht winds then 15 to 18 knots of southerly breeze under largely sunny skies with occasional patches of mist.
Royal Challenge: The Royal Navy's Sun Fast 3600 Sovereign is provisionally third as the Beaufort Cup fleet races back from the Fastnet. Photo: Robert Bateman
The live tracker at 1520 BST showed Robert O'Leary's J/109 Storm, representing Baltimore RNLI, leading the provisional IRC corrected-time standings. Simon Coveney's Waterfront was projected second, ahead of the Royal Navy's Sovereign, the defending Irish Defence Forces crew aboard Artful DodJer, and Dún Laoghaire RNLI's ReQuest.
Holding Second: Waterfront remains firmly in contention on the live corrected-time standings. Photo: Robert Bateman
At the latest update, the fleet had sailed between 27 and 29 nautical miles, leaving approximately 94 to 96 miles remaining to the finish.
Good Spirits: The Dún Laoghaire RNLI crew aboard ReQuest acknowledge the camera during the offshore race. Photo: Robert Bateman
The tracker projected finishes early on Tuesday morning, although those estimates and the corrected-time standings remain subject to change as the offshore race develops.
