As the wind dropped, so did Team Tonic’s boat speed and her chances of breaking the Bord Failte Round Ireland Race 1998 course record of three days four hours and 23 minutes?

Colm Barrington’s 1998 course record of three days four hours and 23 minutes for the Bord Failte Round Ireland Race seems certain to remain secure this evening. Team Tonic, the British 52 footer, has been maintaining a record-breaking average speed of 13 knots overnight but shortly after the Mew Island (Co. Down) check-in, Nick Hewson’s entry ran into light airs.

By mid-afternoon today, Team Tonic had managed to sail 40 miles in six hours but was encountering local headwinds, further limiting its potential for a new record. In a phone call to Wicklow Sailing Club, the skipper estimated their finishing-time would be 2300 yesterday. Barrington’s record was set in a Round the World racer some 12 feet longer than Team Tonic and aided by water-ballast.

Nevertheless, the battle for the overall event to be decided on handicap time has become more heated, thanks to Team Tonics fast time over the north coast at speeds of over 22 knots. Hewson is estimated to lie third overall behind Kinsale’s Imp skippered by George Radley and Bob and Bairbre Stewarts’ Azure from Dun Laoghaire. All three are in a clear group, well ahead on handicap time so far.

Roy Dickson’s Howth 40 footer Cracklin’ Rosie passed Tory Island shortly before mid-day this morning but the crew reported that they had shredded their spinnaker and their potential was being hampered by the loss of this crucial sail. The remainder of the fleet is spread out as far as Eagle Island off the Mayo coast and the race is expected to continue until Friday morning for these boats.