SAILING COMMODORES' CUP:COWES YACHTHAVEN was a busy place yesterday evening as returning crews in the Rolex Commodores' Cup were preparing for today's 50-mile round the Isle of Wight Race that counts for 50 per cent bonus points.

Ireland’s three boats were especially careful, checking every piece of standing and running rigging in what is their penultimate test that stands between an historic victory at Cowes — or not.

After the single inshore course on The Solent yesterday, the three-boat squad from the Irish Cruiser Racing Association (ICRA) extended an already comfortable lead to 40 points.

Just Hong Kong in second place and France Blue in third are capable, in theory at least, of beating the leader.

Yesterday’s race saw Ireland’s team captain Anthony O’Leary score another win on Antix, his fourth of the week in Class One. Dave Dwyer’s marinerscove.ie brought home a third place in Class Two while Roxy 6, skippered by Andrew Creighton as the team small boat, was initially awarded first place having been in second for most of the race.

Hong Kong’s Rockall III appeared to sail the wrong course after a signalled change by the race committee was missed. Roxy and the other boats in Class Three sailed the correct course and the Irish boat took the win while Rockall III was second-last, effectively helping the Irish team to a sizeable eight-point boost in the overall standings.

However, in a late night protest hearing, the International Jury awarded redress to Rockall III so Ireland’s lead has been subsequently reduced by the decision.

The lead remains strong and the task facing the runner-up was summarised by Hong Kong’s Jamie McWilliam, originally from Crosshaven, Cork. “The forecast is for some big breeze so the first thing we have to do is make sure we don’t break anything,” he said last night. “The second thing is we’ve got to get a way to put some boats between us and the Irish.”

Despite Ireland’s domination, it’s a scenario all too familiar to previous teams that have led almost to the end but, as no race discard is permitted, nothing is definite. “It’s a very tough regime to sail under because one mistake and it can be all over,” commented ICRA Commodore, Barry Rose. “Until you cross the line on the last day, you’re not sure of anything.”