Irish set for tough offshore race as rivals begin to find form

SAILING:AN OFFSHORE race of up to 36-hours duration could become the hinge for the outcome of the Rolex Commodores' Cup at Cowes when the 30-boat fleet starts off the Royal Yacht Squadron at 10.30am. Ireland hold the overall lead after two days of short inshore races.

With a 20-point advantage over Britain’s GBR Red team, none of the Irish Cruiser Racing Association boats can take comfort in this as this race, the fifth of eight, counts for two and a half times a normal short course.

The undoing of several Irish attempts in previous years when it was held as the deciding race, the move to earlier in the week in 2008 does not lessen its importance for many.

“There’s a lot of breeze forecast and rain unfortunately so we’ll have to take what we get – it augurs well for us,” said team captain Anthony O’Leary and owner of Antix.

“But it’s a 24-36 hour race and a whole heap of things can happen. Their stated intention is to give us between 24-36 hours so they’ll lengthen it if we’re going around too fast. Hopefully we’ll be around in under 30 hours.”

After Sunday’s opening two races that saw Irish boats score five race wins and a second place, an apparently substantial lead developed for the Irish boats.

Yesterday was less of a gift as the conditions freshened and rival teams found form: France Blue scored two second places and a joint first with Antix and were no less potent in the second race with a win, second and fourth places. Their third place overall is a carry-over from a shaky start on Sunday that saw them end the opening day in seventh.

Should their past form in the overnight race come good today, the overall standings by tomorrow evening could easily be much tighter.

If the fresh-to-strong forecast conditions arrive, this race could prove as significant as yesterday’s two inshore races.

“The French have such a rich history in offshore sailing that you’d almost expect them to do better when the breeze is stronger,” commented Maurice “Prof” O’Connell on Ireland’s Class Three entry Roxy 6.

Last night’s weather data suggested westerly winds of force five or greater for most of the race.