Azure experiences dramatic day

SAILING/Round Ireland Race: In one of the most dramatic events in 10 years, the Bord Fáilte-backed Round Ireland Race is certain to provide tension all the way to the finish line. On day three of the race yesterday, there was more disappointment for one leading contender.

Fresh westerly winds, gusting to force six or seven at times, made for exciting sailing up the western seaboard for the 25-boat fleet that now counts just three retirals since starting on Saturday afternoon.

George Radley's 25-year-old Imp continues to lead on handicap time and is holding its own against more modern and supposedly faster yachts in a close pack towards the leading big boats.

However, Radley lost his advantage for one stage yesterday as Bob and Bairbre Stewarts' Dubois 40 Azure fought off an earlier setback when it was forced to drop its mainsail to repair a broken batten.

Having rebuilt its speed, Azure took the overall lead on the Innistearacht corrected time results and appeared set to extend her time as surfing conditions developed along the west coast. Navigator Brian Mathews reported reaching speeds of 19 knots aided by a slight swell and 25-knot winds.

Within hours however, the leader had his speed halved as both spinnakers on board were shredded in wind gusts. In spite of three hours of repair attempts, the sail were judged beyond salvage, at least by on-board efforts and Azure's speed dropped to less than 10 knots. By Slyne Head, Imp was once again leading.

Azure's drop in performance brought other contenders into the spotlight, especially Roy Dickson's Cracklin' Rosie from Howth.

While victory for Imp would prove popular too, Dickson is an acclaimed campaigner who desperately wants to win this race, having been close on many previous attempts.

Others include Oliver Sheehy's Beneteau 40.7 which has been hitting stride in recent events and is listed in the top five boats.

Meanwhile, on the water, leader Team Tonic, skippered by Nick Hewson, has enjoyed record breaking conditions as the wind swings favourably almost in time with his Farr 52's course changes.

The British yacht is now poised to smash the 1998 record set by Colm Barrington on the Whitbread 60-footer Jeep Cherokee - provided winds hold along the Irish Sea final approach to Wicklow.

Hewson must finish before 6.23 this evening to beat the record; up to 12 hours of favourable tide overnight could even allow a sub three-day record for this race.