Commodore claims Channel Race

Conditions favoured the medium-sized boats in the RORC's 130 miler this weekend

The RORC's Channel Race was blessed with good breeze around the 130 mile course with sunshine during the day and warm air temperature at night.

The overall winner was the First 40 La Réponse, owned by Peter Morton and RORC Commodore Andrew McIrvine, by just under three minutes on corrected time from Neil Kipling’s J/122 Joopster. Charles Ivill’s Grand Soleil 54 John B was third, but did win Class Zero, against some stiff opposition.

‘It was a real surprise to win overall”, admitted McIrvine. “Perhaps the tide favoured the medium size boats better but we made full use of it; taking a line down the south side of the island putting us in the strongest tide possible. I must say it was a real delight to have a RORC race with a 60-mile downwind leg; something that doesn’t happen to often. A boil in the bag dinner on deck, under spinnaker was a real joy. I will be back at work on Monday, just like everybody else but offshore racing is an excellent way to get away from the stress of work, much better than staring at your navel for the weekend.” La Réponse was also victorious in IRC One with Neil Kipling’s J/122 Joopster second, and Sailing Logic’s Reflex 38 Visit Malta Puma third in class.

Class Zero winner was Charles Ivill’s Grand Soleil 54 John B, which beat several competitors against whom they will be competing in next month’s Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race. “We had a very average start, having a few problems but with the No.1 headsail. We switched to the No. 2 which in the building breeze ended up to be the right sail,” commented Ivill. “We had a glorious run down the south side of the island in about 14 knots of breeze. Later in the race the wind got up to about 18 knots. It was a really enjoyable race with a great crew.

“There are no rockstars on John B, we are all friends who love to sail. The youngest on board is Sam Cooper who is just 16, he was also on board for the Eddystone Race and the race to St Malo. Sam won’t be with us for the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland, but all of the rest will.”

Second in IRC Zero was John Shepherd’s Ker 46 Fair Do’s VII with Piet Vroon’s Ker 46 Tonnerre de Breskens in third

In IRC Super Zero Derek Saunders’ CM 60 Venomous was the handicap winner. She got off to an excellent start, leading on the water from the British Keelboat Academy’s TP52 John Merricks II as they left the Solent. However John Merricks II fought back to take line honours, in just under 14 hours.

Peter Olden’s A-35 Solan Goose of Hamble continued their recent run of form, to win IRC Two and the Two Handed Division. Propelling them to third in IRC Two for the Season’s Points Championship. From Belgium, Eric Van Campenhout’s JPK 110 Rackham took line honours for the class and second place on handicap with French entry, Didier Dardot’s Sphinx 33 Parisfal, claiming third.

Jean Yves Chateau’s Rolex Fastnet Race winning Nicholson 33 Iromiguy came out top in IRC Three to open up a slender lead for the Season’s Points Championship from Matthias Kracht’s JPK 9.60 Ultreia!, which was second in the race. Phoenix Yacht Club’s Starlight 39 Spellbinder of Wytch was third.

The next RORC racing is a mixture of inshore and offshore races for the Rolex Commodores’ Cup.

Full results here