Final finishers

Changeling brings up the rear in the RORC's Sevenstar Round Britain Race

With a band of rain filtering across England throughout Wednesday, it was a soggy end for the two remaining yachts in the Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland Race. Penny Pariso’s Murray 41 Predator of Wight came across the finish line at the Royal Yacht Squadron at 1325 hrs on Wednesday to finish in 19th place overall and 18th on the water. Predator’s result, however, must be viewed in the light of a seven hour detour the crew made to Hartlepool this week with damaged rigging and their determination is to be applauded in not accepting outside assistance, re-joining the race and continuing to the finish - a very gutsy feat of seamanship and the crew came ashore to their long awaited pint of bitter, fresh food and some dry beds! Congratulations to them from everyone at RORC.

Meanwhile Kieran Jameson’s Sigma 38 Changeling battled through some very grey skies and shifting, miserable conditions in the Solent to finish at 1826 and courageously bring up the rear as the 19th and final finisher in the race. Changeling has battled around the course, beating virtually the whole way up to Muckle Flugga before the wind shifted to come from the south meaning a beat all the way back to Cowes. In total, Changeling covered some 500 extra miles on top of the rhumb line course distance of 1760 miles and this determined crew have done it with the greatest of spirits and humour - a total credit to the sailing community and everyone at RORC congratulates them and looks forward to seeing them in future races.

For the record, Changeling was also the IRC Division E winner and will collect their trophy at the RORC prize giving to be held at the Royal Southern Yacht Club in the Hamble on Friday 29 September 2006