Bridgestone and Sorcery contest lead

NEAR gale conditions on the north and west coast overnight were expected to fuel the leading yachts in the Cork Dry Gin Round Ireland Race as they crossed the north coast from Malin Head to Rathlin Island and the final approach down the Irish Sea to the Wicklow finish.

Conflicting reports from check-in points yesterday suggested that race leader Bridgestone sailing for Howth Yacht Club had been overtaken by American maxi Sorcery. However, skipper Tom Earls told race officials in, a VHF link call that they could see, Sorcery on the horizon, estimated to be 12 miles away late in the afternoon.

Having "parked" off Inishvickillane on Sunday night, the American entry was able to slip past Bridgestone in the darkness for the first time but appeared unable to retain the advantage and returned to second overall as wind filled in during the morning stage northwards to the Slyne Head, Co Galway, check-in.

Earls reckoned that his yacht was two hours shy of the record set by Rothmans in 1990 for the stage but was optimistic that the time of 84 hours 57 minutes could be beaten. However, given Sorcery's proximity and assuming that he doesn't give the lead away again, it seems certain that handicap victory is unlikely.

Olaf Sorenson's Mad Bull from Kinsale was holding first place overall on Channel Handicap for the entire fleet but this position was under threat of attack by Silk II from the south coast of England, skippered by Gordon Maguire from Howth. Maguire's yacht is a new Bashford Howison 41 and was third on the water sailing out of sight of any other competitor.

The fresher winds will be welcomed by the other speed machines such as Cormac Twomey's Sarah J and Roy Dickson's Beaumont Spirit, both of whom have been waiting to break free of the higher scoring smaller yachts and now, have nearly half the course left to stretch their boatspeed legs.

In the Sigma 38 fleet, the largest class competing, Ben Archer's visiting Securon V from the UK still holds the lead from Sligo Yacht Club's Mobil 1 with Joe English adding his expertise. Daniel Gallagher's Pandanova from Lough Swilly is in third place and both will be looking forward to sailing into home waters for local knowledge advantage.

Although Sasha, the all women crew had still to pass the Innistearacht check-in last night, skipper Frances O'Shaughnessy reported earlier in the evening that the wind filling in from behind was bringing them closer to another rival yacht close by, possibly Garda Debut who was in 11th place in the class.

In the four boat Sigma 400 division, Adrian Lee's Janey Mac was duelling with Keep on Smiling as they headed north from Great Blasket Island in a faster 12 to 15 knot south, south west breeze. The new wind will also be a relief for the 45 tonne Creighton's Naturally that was languishing with the fleet tailenders in the light airs. Although she had started with the other maxis, the former Round the World, racer needs plenty of wind to even keep up with newer boats half her size and a fraction of her weight.