Gale force winds were being forecast to lash the 37 boats competing in the Cork Dry Gin Round Ireland Race for their second night at sea. Just one boat had retired (James Donegan's White Rooster) yesterday.

After starting the race on Saturday off Wicklow, the fleet made slow progress southwards and some were even swept back towards the start by the strong flooding tide. Cracklin' Rosie and Moonduster both powered ahead of the main fleet to take early leads.

Soon afterwards, the larger boats had their own start and maxi Bridgestone F1 and Whitbread 60 footer (W60) Jeep Cherokee were soon embroiled in their own mini-race for the onthe-water lead. Passing Wicklow Head, Bridgestone had a slight advantage and was gaining rapidly on the smaller fleet leaders.

Overnight on Sunday, the first boats had passed the Tuskar Rock off Wexford and the two big boats again swapped places. And as the wind topped 20 knots at lunchtime yesterday, The Fastnet was within sight. Colm Barrington's Jeep was again in the lead by a margin of just 200 yards and utilising the W60's water ballast system.

Further astern, the smaller boats were also racing to get around the south-west corner before the heavy winds hit the fleet.

The provisional handicap results based on the times at the Tuskar Rock show Ragtime II taking the early lead followed closely by Cracklin' Rosie.