New mark unlikely as Hynes battles light winds

Sailing: If solo sailor Larry Hynes (38) can make it to Dún Laoghaire for tea-time this evening he will break the Round Ireland single-handed speed record, but early this morning, after seven nights at sea, the prospect of the record being broken turned from bad to worse as continuing light winds and a turning tide thwarted the Galway sailor in Dundrum Bay, near Carlingford.

Hynes is out to beat Peter Keig's record of seven days 10 hours 24 minutes and 27 seconds set in October 2001, but last night he was short-tacking his 50-footer off Mew Island, still some 100 miles off the Dún Laoghaire finish line set up by the National Yacht Club, the keepers of the world speed-sailing records in Ireland.

"I'm unsure if I'll make it to Dún Laoghaire in the next 24 or even 48 hours unless the wind picks up," he told The Irish Times, adding, "If I'm not home by Sunday, I'll fire up the engine!"

Hynes must cross the line by 5.54pm today and was holding out for the chance of a light northerly wind to take him down the east coast.

Staying with Irish sea sailing, there is still no accounting for the rudder failure that led to the sinking of Philip Watson's yacht, a Hanse 371, on May 25th near the South Rock light.

Dramatic new pictures of the sinking of the Howth Yacht Club 40-footer - taken by the crew of a nearby yacht, Quite Correct, as the boat filled with water and sank in 40 minutes - are published, along with Watson's account of the drama, in next month's issue of Afloat magazine, out next week.

Attempts are underway to salvage the boat in 60 metres of water; its recovery might shed light on the reason for the rudder failure.

Today, with additional support from the East Border region Inter-Reg project, Dundalk Sailing Club kicks off its annual Oyster Pearl Regatta on Carlingford Lough. Feeder races have been held from six east coast ports and the Isle of Man for the three-day event.

Abroad, four Irish Dragon crews are among a fleet of 55 enjoying fine sunshine but little else at La Trinite sur Mer, Brittany. After four days of the event only one race has been sailed owing to a high-pressure weather system that has produced little in the way of sea breezes.

John Lavery, Paul Maguire and Peter Bowring of the National Yacht Club are top Irish boat in sixth place overall, with Danish boats occupying the top three places. Three races have been scheduled today for the French regatta that must end on Sunday.

Weekend Events

Sovereign's Cup ­ Kinsale Yacht Club.

Mirror Southern Championship ­ Royal Cork Yacht Club.

Oyster Pearl Regatta ­ Dundalk & Carlingford Sailing Club.

Topper Ulster Championship ­ Carrickfergus Sailing Club