IRM National Championships - Day 2

Day two of the IRM National Championship sponsored by Boat Sales International was a classic sailing day. Sun, breeze, a 12 knot easterly backing to south easterly with the tide high allowed the fifteen strong fleet to stay on the Hill head plateau for whole day. After a tricky first day the intention was to set up a slick race cycle.

The first of four windward/leeward races was set with a short two sail reach to the finish thus transferring the last critical point to the leeward mark. In class 2 2XL laid the leeward mark and tried to carry her spinnaker across to the finish. Pushing the limit the large kite burst as she spilled over the line which proved a warning the following pack.

Race two presented a large divide up the first beat. Boats going for the compression band working the left hand shore picked up an extra two to three extra knots of speed. Rebel with Graham Sunderland calling tactics broke the pack early and stretched out a healthy lead. She crossed the line a good minute ahead of the main fleet.

Two newly owned boats performed well in the building breeze. Paul Goodison made some good calls on the Farr 45 Renaissance which punched in a couple of seconds to close the day in third. Jerry Otter having recently taken the reigns of the renamed Were Wolf clocked up her first win in the opening race and was consistent claiming second overall. Rebel sailing fast and with three bullets currently has an eleven point margin.

Too Steamy and Victric V sailed a tight course but it was Victric V’s day in Class 2. Three guns for Tony De Mulder’s Farr 40 put her on equal points with Nick and Annie Haigh’s Too Steamy but gave the edge on count back. The extended spinnaker pole was to blame for being over in the first race. Going back Victric clawed back a respectable third. The breeze built to an animated 16-17 knots. With the heaviest crew weight Victric cranked the rig up and settled into her conditions. “This event is about good, fair racing. We were weight up and were happy to pay the penalty and it worked in our favour” commented seasoned sailor Led Pritchard. A particularly satisfying spinnaker drop topped it off. “ We couldn’t do a left hand drop and so went for a gybe set. It was perfect. Just like the old IOR days. The lads were on the team and it was just second nature.” The move to masthead kites on the Farr 40s proved itself as the fleet were hitting eleven knot of boat speed.

Good close racing is the thread running through this event. On the first beat up to the windward mark five boast in class 2 were within thirty metres of one another and with a propensity for rule infringement. The gradual resurgence of the Farr 45 class is paying dividends. With a handful of other 45s waiting in the wings to be claimed to compliment the Farr 40s IRM racing looks set to mushroom again. As one thirsty sailor headed to the bar he flashed a grinning comment “this is as good as its gets out there”.

Standings after day 2:

IRM 1
1. Rebel 8pts
2. Were Wolf 19pts
3. Renaissance 22pts

IRM 2
1. Victric V 11pts
2. Too Steamy 11pts
3. 2XL 16pts