#roundireland - As the sun sets on the first day of the 2014 Round Ireland Yacht Race, the bulk of the fleet have cleared the Tuskar in time to avoid the worst of the building flood tide, although the smaller boats bringing up the rear of the fleet would prefer it to be at neap strength.
The following breeze on the east coast made the run to the Tuskar fairly straightforward, with most boats sticking to the rhumb line, the asymmetric boats generally taking short jibes to avoid straying from the shortest distance.
As the boats enter the Celtic Sea, the fresh breeze is moderating, allowing the slower boats to save their time. Twice a previous winner, Cavatina, now under the ownership of Ian Hickey, shows up as the early leader, and is joined on the first page by competitors with similar ratings.
The larger boats are struggling to gain the advantage of their waterline length and with the breeze dying away from ahead and no significant increase due until Thursday, it seems that this race will, once again, favour the smaller boats.
2013 Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race Winner, Amazing Grace, one of the oldest and slowest boats in the fleet, but also considered a handicap favourite, made an unexpected return to Wicklow harbour only minutes after the start following a collision.
Taking on water and with no idea of the extent of the damage, the Tralee Bay boat returned to harbour to assess the situation.
A fist sized hole in the transom appeared very fixable to owner and boat builder Brian O'Sullivan who made immediate quayside attempts at a repair. The Kerry boat has now rejoined the race and the light winds forecast will not rule out her catching up, but she does have to contend with an adverse Irish Sea tide.
Follow the fleet via the Round Ireland Race Tracker
