Round Britain & Ireland - First Yachts Pass Waypoint Beta: All Enjoying Fast Downwind Sailing

3 Jun 2004 19:02 GMT At the end of a hugely enjoyable high-speed day, the first yachts have rounded waypoint Beta and are now on their way to the remote island of St Kilda, the outermost of the Outer Hebrides.

BP Explorer was first around, hotly chased by Team 7. Kuncahi was next and at the time of writing the 'pack' of Barclays, Besso, SAIC and Save the Children are expected to round shortly. The firm, who have slipped a little way from the pack during the day, should be round by midnight.

All the yachts are reporting fantastic reaching conditions, many flying spinnakers much of the day. Exciting stuff in these conditions "Once its up you've got to start thinking about getting it down, and I am the one who over the side of the boat to spike, or release this monster from its tether" commented Paul Burns in today’s log from Besso.

The forecast is for the breeze to stay with them now for the next few days, although it may move into a north westerly direction for a while ensuring a wet a wild ride. They certainly deserve some fast sailing after the rather mixed conditions of the last few days.

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