SAILING: France Team Red continues to dominate the Rolex Commodore's Cup following the second day of inshore racing at Cowes yesterday. The critical offshore race begins at 10.30 this morning with eyes on both Irish teams firmly fixed on this opportunity to boost their fortunes at the event.
Ireland Team Orange continues to hold third place overall but now shares it with England Red. Colm Barrington's Gloves Off endured a 26th place in the first race of the day, though the fresher weather in the afternoon saw a return to peak form with a 10th.
Peter Morton's Mills 50-footer Mandrake was once again best performer of the squad, staying in close contact with the Farr 52- footers through the day. Charles Dunstone's Corby 41.5 Carphone Warehouse also produced a ninth place in the morning, contributing to the team's steady position.
The England Red team is counting on its top performer, British America's Cup founder Peter Harrison. His Farr 52-footer Chernikeeff 2 is racing with a host of Irish sailors including Maurice "Prof" O'Connell on tactics, sailmaker Tom McWilliam trimming, Newscorp bowman Justin Slattery and Kenny McCullough, regular helm on Dublin Bay's Azure.
For the second day, prior experience of racing on the Solent proved advantageous as strong tides swept many of the competitors on top of the windward mark which had three knots of current flowing over it.
The depth of talent competing was summed up by Ireland Green Team manager Donal McClement who pointed out that in race two yesterday, the time between first and last boat was six minutes. "The standard is extremely high," he said. "Cracklin' Rosie finished one second ahead of the next boat and the next four boats were all separated by just one second each as well."
Roy Dickson's "Rosie" is racing inshore on the Solent for the first time at this event and today's offshore will follow a more familiar route westwards to the Needles and into the Howth crew's speciality territory.
Simon Brown and Deirdre Horneck's Prima 38 White Knuckles 2 revelled in the breezier weather yesterday, scoring an impressive 17th out of the 33-strong fleet in the second race. A break from the tricky Solent conditions could also produce a boost to the team's fortunes.
Meanwhile the youthful crew on the heart of the Ireland Green team had another mixed day in duel-like racing yesterday. Starting tactics were noticeably better, thanks to a more aggressive approach that matched the event standard. The Greens remain second from the bottom but are hopeful of an improvement by tomorrow's end to the offshore.
Overall teams (after four races): 1, France Red: Courrier Nord (Gery Trentesaux - X442); Clin D'Oriel (Jean-Yves Le Goff - IMX 40); Fastwave 3 (Eric Fries - IMX 40); 2, Commonwealth: Chernikeef 2 (Peter Harrison - Farr 52); Natti Vee (Nick Harrison & Robert Greenhalgh - Ker 11.3); Blue Belle (Tony Clarke - Ker 11.3); equal 3, Ireland Orange: Mandrake (Peter Morton - Mills 50); Gloves Off (Colm Barrington - Corby 41.5); Carphone Warehouse Communicator (Charles Dunstone - Corby 41.5); England Red: Bear of Britain (Kit Hobday & Tim Louis - Farr 52); Fandango (David Scanlan - First 40.7); Kerisma (Chris Bull - Ker 11.3); 10, Ireland Green: Cracklin' Rosie (Roy Dickson - Corby 40); White Knuckles II (Simon Brown & Deidre Horneck Prima 38); Chieftain (Ger O'Rourke - First 40.7). All results provisional - subject to protests
