Yachting Monthly Triangle Race - Leg 3 Start

Yachting Monthly Triangle Race leg 3 start © Jan Rayment

Race leaders Gary Heward and Russell Hawkins sailing Amylou, have made a strong start to the third and final leg of the Yachting Monthly Triangle Race, while the other two contenders for overall honours have gone in opposite directions.

Five hours after the start Amylou, from Southampton's Marchwood Yacht Club, looks well placed and is making the best of the light conditions, in third place on the water. This team were second in the previous race, two years ago.

Currently second overall, Footloose II, sailed by father and son team Chris and Corky Rhodes, were also looking strong having chosen to take a course to the west of the rhumb line, and were placed second on the water.

Choosing the opposite side of the course, positioned well to the east of the main fleet are third placed pair Mark and Walter Hipgrave from Brisbane, Australia, sailing Mr Lucky.

Currently leading the fleet on the water are Rick Newcombe and George Melbourne in eXebitionist, who finished second in the second leg from Kinsale in Ireland to Treguier.

The 110 nautical mile leg from Treguier in Brittany to Torquay in Devon started in a light east, north easterly breeze of 5 to 6 knots, and taking advantage of the last of the ebb tide.

Forecasts for the next 12 hours are for light and variable winds, which could make for a tense and tiring night for the competitors.

The Yachting Monthly Triangle Race started from Torquay 12th June, with a tough first leg to Kinsale, which featured strong headwinds all he way. The second leg from Kinsale to Treguier was a more gentlemanly downwind slide, while the final leg looks as if it will test the competitors patience.

trianglerace.co.uk