British race favourite James Neville – the Commodore of the Royal Ocean Racing Club – and skipper of INO XXX is out of the SSE Renewables Round Ireland Yacht Race this evening after suffering 'hull delamination' off the County Kerry coast.
The yacht produced early gains on the east coast right off the Wicklow startline on Saturday and was in the leading pack as the 47-boat fleet made the Fastnet Rock off West Cork on Sunday morning.
All Sunday, the she had been vying with the Swiss canting keel Cookson 50 Kuka 3 as the leaders headed north into strong headwinds.
INO XXX was victorious earlier this month in the RORC Myth of Malham Race but while Neville may have been unbeatable in the Cowes-Eddystone-Solent 230-miler, the tough pounding Atlantic conditions this afternoon appear to have been too much for the HH42.
The Hudson/Hakes built 42’, a Judel/Vrolijk design, took line honours and first place in the 2021 Rolex Fastnet Race IRC One Class so she is no stranger to Irish waters.
Race organisers Wicklow Sailing Club have confirmed the retirement of the Grand Prix yacht. INOXX42 is currently heading back along its track. See tracker below.
