#RoundIreland - The 18th Round Ireland Yacht Race got off to a dramatic start under a tight fetch from Wicklow today (28 June), with the local Volvo 70 entry outdone by the Teng Tools/Kilculllen Kapital Open 60 streaking into a lead as the biggest boats in the 36-boat fleet passed Wicklow Head.
But it looks like one leading contender for overall honours might be out if the race already after a startling line collision forced him to head back to Harbour.
The Dun Laoghaire to Dingle race champion Amazing Grace from Tralee Bay reported to the race committee that she was taking on water.
She also indicated she would be making a protest against another competitor, Lynx Clipper, which said she will be lodging her own protest over the same alleged incident.
The start was won emphatically by the Open 60, hitting the line at precisely the right moment, prompting some on the shoreline to query if she had been over the line. No chance. This was precision sailing, the Tengtools crew enjoying a clear run at least three boat lengths ahead of their nearest competitor, the Volvo 70.
By contrast, the smallest boat in the fleet, a 30-footer from Antrim, was battling big seas chopped up in the wake of the big boats departing Wicklow.
Winds dropped significantly as the fleet hoisted kites at Wicklow Head, and there were near perfect sailing conditions off the Wicklow coast of 12-15-knot winds from the north east, bright sunshine and a choppy sea state.
The 36-boat fleet cleared Wicklow Bay and Wicklow Head Lighthouse under a two-knot ebb tide, pushing them down along the Wexford coastline.
However, the fleet are expected to have lighter conditions tonight as they approach Tuskar Rock.
The 700-mile race is anticipated to take up to five days to complete, with the biggest boats expected home as early as Tuesday 1 July.
Early leaders – The Open 60 and Volvo 70 streak ahead at Wicklow
