Gale to push bulk of fleet towards Wicklow finish in SSE Renewables Round Ireland Race

Following more than four days of non-stop racing, just three teams have so far completed the SSE Renewables Round Ireland Race (Wednesday 26th June 2024) after Pete Smyth's Searcher became the first Irish entry to finish the 705 nautical mile course this afternoon.

As always in this classic offshore race that was first sailed in 1980, the final stage down the Irish Sea from Rathlin Island is the most decisive as crews battle adverse tides and dying breezes.

However, wind is unlikely to be too much of an issue for the next 24 hours as a Gale Warning will be in operation for the north-west coast that should boost the back-markers along.

Already, the group of more than 20 crews have been compressed along the Antrim coast after passing Inistrahull, the small island off Malin Head, the most northerly point of mainland Ireland.

"Thankfully, the majority of the fleet will be ahead of the expected gale force winds and those still off the north-west coast will have the wind and seas following them so should be manageable," commented Kyran O'Grady, Race Director at Wicklow Sailing Club. "The smaller boats coming in fast from behind will also boost their overall standings."

This event is decided on IRC corrected time meaning that smaller entries have a chance against bigger or more exotic designs.

However, the time set by Eric de Turckheim's crew on French entry Teasing Machine on Tuesday evening when they won 'line honours' as first monohull entry to finish is impressive and probably difficult to beat.

A total of ten boats have retired from the race so far and once the majority of the fleet have reached Wicklow over the next two days, the overall victor and individual class winners will be confirmed.

For more information and the race tracker please visit roundireland.ie