Two Irish yachts stay in contention in Cowes after day two of the RORC Easter Challenge on the Solent.
The Royal Ocean Racing Club training regatta continued on Easter Saturday with two races for all four IRC Classes.
Howth's Checkmate XX (Dave Cullen and Nigel Biggs), helmed by Double-Olympic Gold Medallist Shirley Robertson, took a race win in IRC Two, and Rob O’Leary’s Half Tonner 2 Farr scored two more bullets today to maintain their perfect scoreline.
PRO Stuart Childerley and the RORC Race Team delayed the start of racing, allowing the strong wind to subside and sunshine to fill across the racetrack. The breeze was still up in the high teens for spectacular racing on a windward leeward course in the Central Solent.
IRC Two
Per Roman’s JPK 1180 Garm won Race 3 but their perfect regatta score-line was broken in Race 4 by Dave Cullen’s First 50 Checkmate XX, taking the race win. Double-Olympic Gold Medallist Shirley Robertson is at the helm of Checkmate XX (pictured top) for the regatta with her 18 year old son Killian who was calling tactics today. Hugo Gommers’ Landmark 43 Olympix finished third in both races to move up to third for the series.
Irish Half Tonner 2 Farr at the 2025 RORC Easter Challenge Photo: Paul Wyeth
IRC Four
Rob O’Leary’s Half Tonner 2 Farr from Baltimore and Rush Sailing Clubs scored two more bullets on Saturday to maintain their perfect scoreline for the RORC Easter Challenge. The Half Tonner 2 Farr is the only boat left with a perfect scoreline, but it was far from easy. Olly & Sam Love’s J/109 Frank 4 was runner up in both races by 70 and 34 seconds respectively. Rob Cotterrill’s J/109 Mojo Risin’ was third in both races to make the class podium with one day of racing remaining.
IRC Three RORC Easter Challenge at the 2025 RORC Easter Challenge Photo: Paul Wyeth
IRC Three
David Frank’s J/112 Leon revelled on the technical windward course today winning both race. Leon’s main agitant today was the Army Sailing Association’s Sun Fast 3600 Fujitsu British Soldier. Skippered by Lt Col Will Naylor, the army team was second in both races. Yesterday’s double-race winner, Max Walker’s Sun Fast 3600 Elysium IV, was third in both of today’s races to retain the class lead for the regatta. Fujitsu British Soldier is second and J/99 Further West is third.
“It was a fantastic day on the water,” said David Franks, skipper of the J/112 Leon, after Day Two of the RORC Easter Challenge. “The two windward-leeward races definitely played to our strengths and we sailed well today. After a tough start yesterday, with equipment issues and even a bit of damage that forced us to retire, it was great to come back strong.”
Reflecting on the purpose of the event, Franks added: “The Easter Challenge is such a valuable regatta. After a long winter of not sailing, it really gets you dusted down and tuned back in. It’s a great way to shake off the cobwebs and get serious again. The coaching is top-notch, and being able to debrief with experts right after racing is incredibly useful, especially ahead of a packed season.”
J/109 Frank 4 at the 2025 RORC Easter Challenge Photo: Paul Wyeth
Olly & Sam’s Love have been competing at the RORC Easter Regatta on many occasions but this is the first for their new boat, J/109 Frank 4. “It’s the first major event of the season, the training and the support are invaluable,” explained Olly & Sam. “Having top coaches filming you while you're racing is great because you get a different perspective from off the boat. The training regatta environment is perfect for trying out new tweaks to see what is the fastest.”
Botin 52 Caro competing at the 2025 RORC Easter Challenge Photo: Paul Wyeth
IRC One
Peter Harrison’s TP52 Jolt 3 scored a 2-1 today to lead the big boat class by three points. Max Clink’s Botin 52 Caro is still challenging for the class lead having won Race 3 by just 19 seconds after IRC time correction and placing third in Race 4. After scoring a 3-2 today, Carkeek 40+ Jolt 6 moves up to third for the regatta.
Racing continues on Sunday
2025 Easter Challenge Results here
