Cherbourg Ahoy for Leaders
At 10:30 BST on day six of the Rolex Fastnet Race, the leaders in IRC Four are closing in on the finish at Cherbourg. The vast majority of the fleet have endured a wild night with 25 knots plus pumping in from the Atlantic Ocean, fortunately the sea swell has been astern, but on the negative side torrential rain has been falling for many hours.
François Charles Dehler 33 Sun Hill III holds a substantial lead both on the water and after IRC time correction and is expected to finish the Rolex Fastnet Race this afternoon (Thursday 27 July). Marc Willame’s JPK 960 Elma (FRA), racing doublehanded with Antoine Jeu, is second on the water and after IRC time correction. Chris and Vanessa Choules’ Sigma 38 With Alacrity (GBR) is ranked third after IRC time correction but will be hoping that the wind holds out for the last 80 miles of their race. Samuel Dumenil & Antoine Runet racing Casamyas (FRA) is 10 miles ahead of With Alacrity on the water, and conversely will be hoping that the breeze shuts down behind them.
375 miles from the finish, The J/109 Trojan raced by the Royal Engineers Yacht Club is protecting the rear of the fleet. The Royal Engineers YC have competed in all 50 editions of the race, including lying a-hull in atrocious conditions in 1979. There is no doubt the service men and women on this year’s entry Trojan will be thinking of that occasion as they round the Fastnet Lighthouse.
By Louay Habib
Trojan, sailed by the Royal Engineers Yacht Club, also competed in 2021's similarly blustery race © ROLEX/Carlo Borlenghi
