JB3 the form boat

Chas Ivill's J/133 takes the RORC Channel Race

Saturday dawned grey and overcast with a South Westerly 3, a RORC fleet of 91 yachts gathered on the Royal Yacht Squadron Line for the start of the Channel Race, the penultimate chance to race under ‘ Battle ’ conditions before the Rolex Fastnet Race in two weeks time.

Sending the fleet West out of the Solent, the yachts had a beat to East Shambles Buoy off Portland before rounding for the leg to the RORC Offshore Buoy 15 miles South of St Albans Head and running to the Ocean Safety Buoy off Selsey Bill, where they turned to leave Bembridge Ledge to port and on through the Forts to the Finish at Royal Albert Buoy off Gilkicker Point, an approximate distance of 146 miles.

Away first at 10:00 were Class 3 with Mystery, Dr Noel Olsen’s Mystery 35 (Prototype), Inspiration of BOSS, Peter Ellis’ Sigma 38 and Drumbeat, Mark Himsworth’s Contessa 32 getting good starts in the fleet of 19.

Class 2 were away at 10:10 with Voador, Simon Curwen’s J/105 and Bongani, Sailing Logic’s Pronavia 38 leading the way of 20 starters. 10:20 saw the start of Class 1 with 30 yachts being lead by Maverick 2, Dominic Chappell’s IMX 40.

The race for the 22 yachts in Classes Super Zero, Zero and the Canting Keels began at 10:30 with the Open 60 Estrella Damm of Offshore Challenge Ltd, sailed by Gillermo Altadill being a little too aggressive at the gun to find themselves OCS and failing to return. This would be of no consequence later when they took the decision to retire from the race.

Cutting a dash through the fleet was Mike Slade’s Farr 30m Canting Keel Maxi Leopard 3, who beat her way to the East Shambles buoy and was rounding for the ‘down hill’ leg by 13:05.

With the weather set to deteriorate through the night the fleet were in for a quick race but potentially a rough ride to boot. This was the case and by the early hours the breeze had increased to around 30 – 35kts and with it the seas built too.

A number of yachts were to see gear failure, mainly torn sails and broken running rigging, which would cause them to retire. Truly a taste of offshore racing and a good reminder of what they could expect on the race around ‘The Rock’!

Not unexpectedly, Leopard 3 was the first boat home, taking the Hugh Astor Trophy, at 21:44. Followed 2 hours later by the Volvo 60 Venom, Andreas Hanakamp at 23:50 and the Carroll Marine 60 of Derek Saunders, Venonous at 00:09.

Overall the top IRC prize went to Chas Ivill's JB3, notching up yet another impressive offshore performance. Ivill is now leading the RORC Season's culmulative results in IRC overall, chased by the two French yachts Philippe Delaporte's J/122 Pen Azen and Gery Trentesaux's Beneteau 44.7 Courrier Du Coeur.

The Prizegiving will be held on Wednesday 8th August at the RORC Members’ Cocktail Party at the Royal Yacht Squadron 18:30.

Trophies and Prizes:
Channel Challenge Cup – BCT IRC JB 3 (J 133) Charles Ivill

Stetson Plate – IRC Super Zero & Zero JB 3 (J 133) Charles Ivill
2nd FAIR DO’s VII (Ker 46) John Shepherd
3rd CHARISMA (Prototype) Alejandro Perez Calzada
4th CODIAM ENSPjuni (IMX 45) Nicoleau

Royal Albert Yacht Club Trophy – IRC 1 PEN AZEN (J 122) Philippe Delaporte
2nd PUMA LOGIC (Reflex 38) Sailing Logic Ltd Phillipe Falle
3rd LOWLY WORM (Swan 46) John Michael Dean
4th EUPHORIX (First 40.7) Paul Dentskevich
5th THUNDER 2 (Mills 37) Robert Boulter

Royal Albert Yacht Club Trophy – IRC 2 BONGANI (Pronavia 38) Sailing Logic Ltd Tim Thubron
2nd SEAWOLF (Standfast 51) Sail 4 Fun Ltd Henri Tinchant
3rd JUNEAU (J 105) Mike West
4th ARIA (J 109) Luca Rubinelli

Royal Albert Yacht Club Trophy – IRC 3 LONGUE PIERRE (Dehler 38) David Cooper / Paul England
2nd IROMIGUY (Nicholson 33) Jean-Yves Chateau
3rd DOMAINE (J 32) Chris Burbidge
4th LINKLATERS (Sigma 38) Capital Sailing Colin Bryden

Assegai Bowl – BCT IRM FORMIDABLE 3 (Lutra 56) Piet Vroon
Inter Services Trophy – Service Yacht with BCT NOT AWARDED
Hugh Astor Trophy – 1st Yacht Home LEOPARD 3 (Farr 30m Canting Keel) Mike Slade

2 Handed Class
1st JUNEAU (J105) Mike West
2nd VOADOR (J105) Simon Curwen

Seahorse Division
NISIDA (GY 51) Peter Hopps and Hilary Cook