Round Britain & Ireland Race 2002 - Update
by Mel Bryant 13 Jun 2002 18:10 BST
Challenging weather in the western approaches has taken a toll on the fleet with 13 boats retired out of an entry of 38.
Notable retirements include Robin Knox-Johnston on the favoured trimaran SPIRIT and Mary Falk on Q11. Other retirements have been mostly caused by sail and rigging problems with three J boats dismasted.
The first boat to reach Cork 230 miles from Plymouth was the 30ft trimaran MERIDIAN (Roger Barber – Malcolm Whitehead) in 1 day 10 hours and 1 minute followed by the OPEN 40 ROARING FORTY. (Hans Plas – Michel Kleinjons) in 1 day 12 hours and 15 minutes and the trimaran MOLLYMAWK (Ross Hobson – Andy Newman) 1 day 13 hours and 58 minutes.
The next leg of 440 miles to Barra in the Outer Hebrides will take the leader 2½ days. They face forecast south westerly winds
Full R B & I results and details can be found on the RWYC website www.rwyc.org