Defending course champion George Radley on Imp from Kinsale continues to show fine form in the Bord Failte Round Ireland Race as the 28-boat fleet rounded the famous Fastnet Rock overnight. Fleet leader Team Tonic, a Farr 52 skippered by Nick Hewson passed the rock off West Cork at yesterday evening in a fresh sou’west wind.

However, based on the earlier Tuskar Rock corrected handicap times, Radley’s Holland 39 footer is keeping pace with the front-runners, especially the larger yachts who must open significantly more ground if they are to beat the Kinsale yacht. This opportunity may arrive with the forecast Westerly Force 7 winds expected during Monday that may hamper the smaller boats’ progress.

This might also open up the race to such other boats as veteran Roy Dickson on Cracklin’ Rosie who has been close to victory in the race for the last four events. Others such as Bob and Bairbre Stewart’s Dubois 40 footer Azure are in contention and already the race is quicker than expected by as much as four hours.

Radley spoke of his disappointment that fellow Cork entry Fusion, a Porjection 35 footer was forced out of the event on Saturday night when the boat grounded on the Blackwater Bank off Wexford. The boat became stuck in the last of the ebb tide but in strong winds, was soon dismasted and had to be rescued by the Rosslare Lifeboat and towed ashore. Nobody was injured in the incident.