Ireland's Searcher Leads Class I in Aegean 600

8th July 2025

WM Nixon

Pete Smyth's Ker 46 Searcher of the Royal Irish YC making all the right moves and speeds in the Aegean 600 2025 to lead IRC One Credit: Deea Buzdugan

12 noon 08-07-25: Pete Smyth's Ker 46 Searcher of the Royal Irish YC had been making all the right moves and speeds in the Aegean 600 2025, and at time of writing is making 10.6 knots up the east coast of Rhodes, leading IRC 1 and placed 8th for line honours.

The French FP 54 Daguet 5 is putting in a stratospheric performance to lead on the water. Having shaken off her pacemaker, the Volvo 70 Ailios, she is now out n her own approaching the most easterly turn of the race at the ancient port city of Rhodes, where the primary headland is in the middle of the ancient port defiantly facing across channel towards Turkey.

Aegean 600 2025 course

Daguet has a clear on-water lead of 18 miles over the next boat, the Italian Neo 57 Carbonita, but in IOR Overall, she lies eighth. IRC leader is the French Ker 40 Chenapan IV, while second is the Maltese HH42 Artie III and Searcher is third, neck-and-neck with Chenapan on-water, but back in third with her higher rating.

The Howth Yacht Club team led by Darren Wright on the Xp44 Gazelle – Team HYC are off Karpathos, lying fourth in IRC 2 and 13th in IRC overall.

Published in Offshore, Royal Irish Yacht Club

Published in Offshore

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About The Author

WM Nixon

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William M Nixon has been writing about sailing in Ireland for many years in print and online, and his work has appeared internationally in magazines and books. His own experience ranges from club sailing to international offshore events, and he has cruised extensively under sail, often in his own boats which have ranged in size from an 11ft dinghy to a 35ft cruiser-racer. He has also been involved in the administration of several sailing organisations.

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