It was sunshine and champagne for the crews who took part in this year’s 3-day Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) Easter Challenge off Cowes on Good Friday (April 15).
In IRC (International Racing Certificate) 1, Ian Atkin’s GP42 Dark ‘n Stormy started its 2022 campaign perfectly by taking 3 bullets. Dutchman Ker 46 Van Uden, skippered by Gerd-Jan Poortman, is in 2nd place, just one point ahead of his Dutch rivals Ker 43 Baraka Gp, skippered by Harmen Jan de Graaf.
IRC 2, the largest class in the regatta, produced the closest race. Happy Daize, skippered by James Chalmers, finished the day on pole position just one point clear of the Army Sailing Association’s Sun Fast 3600 Fujitsu British Soldier, skippered by Henry Foster.
The smallest boat in the regatta (in IRC 3) was Julian Metherell’s Quarter Tonner Bullit. This boat behaved particularly well at the start of the race and scored 3 balls on the opening day.
Day 2
Fabulous sailing conditions continued in the Solent for day two of the regatta. 2 racetracks gave the fleet a mix of windward/leeward and around the can courses with 3 races completed for all 3 IRC classes.
Intense races in the big boat class saw Dark N Stormy score 2 more balls to take this class firmly into their own hands. After posting a 1-2-4, Happy Daize retained the IRC 2 class lead by a single Army Sailing Association point, while in IRC 3 Quarter Tonner Bullit retained the class lead, but n failed to maintain his perfect score line from day one.
Day 3
Ian Atkins’ GP42 Dark N Stormy (IRC 1), the Army Sailing Association’s Sun Fast 3600 Fujitsu British Soldier, skippered by Henry Foster (IRC 2), and Lenabear’s Corby 33 Mrs Freckles (IRC 3) are the winners.
In IRC 1, the youth team of Dutch Ker 46 Van Uden, skippered by Gerd-Jan Poortman, finished second, just 2 points ahead of Dutch Ker 43 Baraka Gp of Harmen Jan de Graaf.
The placings in IRC 2 were: 2nd – VME Racing’s Happy Daize and Mills 39 Zero II, skippered by James Gair, snatched the last place on the podium while in IRC 3, 2nd and 3rd places were taken by: Harry J. Heijst’s S&S 41 Winsome and Bullit.
Winsome also received a Silver Cup for the Elegance Award.
