RORC Summer Series Race 2 - Preview
by Louay Habib 14 Aug 2020 05:46 NZST
15 August 2020
Andrew McIrvine's Ker 39 La Réponse © Paul Wyeth / RORC
The Royal Ocean Racing Club's Summer Series continues this weekend with a long day race in the Solent and adjacent waters. The best places to watch the start will be along Cowes Green and Egypt Esplanade.
Teams will be racing in IRC Classes, an IRC Two-Handed Class plus Multihulls. The first warning signal is scheduled 09:20 BST on Saturday 15th August.
"With a very changeable weather forecast, the RORC Race Committee will be waiting for as long as possible to determine the course," commented RORC Deputy Racing Manager, Tim Thubron. "It is likely that the fleet will be starting to the west from the Squadron Line and racing in the area of Poole Bay with the potential of sending the fleet south into the English Channel. The RORC will be keeping all competitors informed of any decision on the course for the race."
IRC Three
Two stand-out teams for the race are vying for selection for the 2024 Olympic Games. On Sun Fast 3300 Gentoo, James Harayda will be racing with round the world record breaker, Dee Caffari. Sun Fast 3300 Fastrak XII will be raced by Henry Bomby and double Olympic Gold medallist, Shirley Robertson. Ed Broadway will also be racing two-handed, the first outing with his new Sun Fast 3300 Hooligan VIII.
Richard Oswald's Elan 450 Emily of Cowes is the scratch boat in a highly competitive IRC Three Class. Overall winner of the RORC 2019 Season, Trevor Middleton's Sun Fast 3600 Black Sheep, will be sailed by Jake Carter. Racing two-handed will be Lawrence & Oscar Mead with Sun Fast 3600 Jellyfish. Class winner for the Race the Wight, Jim Driver's Sunfast 3300 Chilli Pepper, will be racing with a team of three, including his 18-year-old daughter, Ellie.
IRC One
RORC Commodore Steven Anderson will be racing his Corby 40 Cracklin Rosie. Past RORC Admiral Andrew McIrvine will be racing his Ker 39 La Réponse. Michael O'Donnell will be racing J/121 Darkwood with his team of multiple XOD Captain's Cup winners onboard.
IRC Two
Scratch boat is 2019 Performance 40 champion, Christopher Daniels' J/122E Juno. Ross Applebey's Oyster 48 Scarlet Oyster is back in action, after their stunning performance in Race the Wight. Gavin Howe's Sun Fast 3600 Tigris will be racing two-handed.
IRC Four
An eclectic mix of yacht designs will be in action, raced by proven winners. RORC Transatlantic Race winner, Richard Palmer's JPK 10.10 Jangada, will be racing two-handed with Jeremy Waitt. Past RORC Commodore Peter Rutter will be racing his restored Half Tonner Quokka 9. Christopher Frost & Elin Haf Davies will be racing the classic 1968 S&S Swan 36 Finola.
Late entry is still available for the race. Full details can be found in the Notice of Race, but in summary: permitted crew can be up to a maximum of six people from any household or two-thirds of a boat's IRC crew number whichever is the least. Competitors are also reminded of the government guidance on social distancing and other Covid-19 measures.
For more information: www.rorc.org