THE WEATHER gods emerged as the ultimate arbiter yesterday as officials at Wicklow Sailing Club announced that Tonnerre de Breskens 3 was the overall winner of the Conway Media Round Ireland Race, subject only to an improbable turnaround in winds that have becalmed dozens of crews around the north coast.

Given the conditions, Piet Vroon’s crew, led by South African skipper Matt Trautman managed to maintain their impressive pace established since last Sunday that also managed to evade the dreaded tidal gates at Rathlin and Mew islands off the Ulster coast. They stretched their lead over Open 60-footer sled Rosslare Europort skippered by Steve White to 48 miles by yesterday morning, moving clear once the duelling pair faced into headwinds.

Vroon was unable to sail since being hospitalised last Saturday and his son Carlo also opted out to be with his father who is understood to be making a strong recovery.