Competitors in the Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland Race have encountered some serious conditions even in the wake of a delayed start and reversed course due to the remnants of Hurricane Bertha.

With pounding seas and winds gusting over 40 knots competing boats in this year’s race have encountered some of the toughest conditions ever experienced for the race.

There have been a number of retirements within the first 48 hours including Sir Robin Knox-Johnson whose Open 60 yacht ‘Grey Power’ suffered from a large tear in its main sail and damage to its mast. Three Class 40 yachts have also had to retire with two yachts ‘Concise8’ and ‘Arwen’ seeking the safety of Suffolk Yacht Harbour at Levington and Great Yarmouth Harbour respectively. No injuries have been reported by any of the crews only damage to boats or equipment.

The race leader ‘Musandam - Oman Sail’ is already heading south bound after rounding Muckle Flugga yesterday afternoon at 3.00. The skipper Frenchman Sidney Gavignet is chasing the record of 3 days 3 hours, 49 minutes, 14 seconds set by ‘Banque Populaire’ in 2011. he and his crew are currently two hours inside the course record with an average speed of over 24 knots. They are currently off the west coast of Ireland with less than 600 NM left to cover.