Wicklow Sailing Club is a hive of activity this evening as a steady stream of yachts finally appear over the horizon to complete the 705 nautical-mile SSE Renewables Round Ireland Race.
Although many individual class winners and even some runner-up places are far from certain, French entry Teasing Machine skippered by Eric de Turckheim has now been confirmed overall winner after completing the course on Tuesday evening.
“The difficulty was with the number of weather patterns going through the course (then) with the change of winds and then dropping to calm – it wasn’t tough but still challenging,” de Turckheim said. “The fascination of this race is that you’re going round this big island – it isn’t a speed test, tactics are essential. The 600 mile races are super-exciting for any sailor – we will always want to come back.”
As the race is decided on IRC corrected time, none of the boats either still at sea or recently completed can beat the time set by the 52 footer since the race started last Saturday off Wicklow on Ireland’s East coast.
As various crews come ashore at Wicklow Sailing Club, where teams of volunteers are serving all-day breakfasts throughout the day and night stories of the challenging conditions were being exchanged between the crews.
For many, the strongest winds experienced were on the Irish Sea and final approach to the finishing-line. However, those boats still racing off the north coast will certainly have a different experience to relate as they are currently experiencing gale force winds along this exposed and rugged coast.
Spectacular scenery and frequent sightings of marine wildlife along the route proved badly needed distractions from the occasional lulls in the wind that left many in the fleet becalmed and unable to catch-up on the leaders.
