28 teams are still racing in IRC Four with seven retirements. By 09:00 BST on day three of the Rolex Fastnet Race the vast majority of the boats racing in IRC Four had rounded the Lizard and are heading into the Celtic Sea. However, a split in the fleet each side of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) off Land's End was proof that strategy is afoot in IRC Four.
Using the new time sector analysis provided by www.SailRaceHQ.com accurate analysis of the IRC standings in different sectors of the race is now available.
François Charles’ Dehler 33 Sun Hill III (FRA) passed The Lizard at approximately 04:00. The Sun Hill team from North Brittany are leading the class on the water and after time correction by 1hour 39 minutes 07 seconds. Marc Willame’s JPK 960 Elma (FRA), racing doublehanded with Antoine Jeu is ranked second. In third, 44 minutes 36 seconds behind Elma after time correction, is Contessa 38 Flycatcher of Yar (GBR) which is raced by owners Henry and Edward Clay. Jan Toussein’s Swan 38 Leda (BEL) is just 32 seconds behind Flycatcher of Yar after IRC time correction. Flycatcher of Yar and Leda are both from the design board of Sparkman & Stephens.
François Charles sent this update from on board Sun Hill III:
“Everything is working well on board Sun Hill III. It was a beautiful start and what a memory we will keep from The Needles! The wind was very strong, and the sea state was very rough, much more than in 2021. Sometimes Sun Hill III’s deck looked like a Volvo Ocean Racing boat! All the crew were keeping life-lines all the night, even in the cockpit. We sailed under J3 from Hurst to Portland Bill, and it made a big difference. Now, we try to sleep a little, keep our heads clear and prepare for the next windy passage. It’s a good beginning, but this race is so long.”
