News is coming in from Race Officer, Philip Preston of Oban Sailing Club, speaking from the Committee Boat, Headcorn, made available to the race by Tony Ratcliffe of North West Marine.

The first leg of this year’s Round Mull Race saw 11 retirals in fluky conditions with very light wind and a lot of rain. The course had to be shortened at the Green Isles to take account of the  lack of wind.

Post-race celebrations last night saw the Mishnish Bucket, presented in the legendary Mishnish Hotel in Tobermory, to the overall stage winner, Amber Haze, skippered by Eric Chapman. A Sigma 32, Amber Haze is a local boat, from race organisers, Oban Sailing Club and also took the Class 2 prize for the leg.

The Class 1 prize went to Lucky Ned Pepper, skippered by Graham Anderson, a Hanse 371 and also from Oban Sailing Club.

Class 3 on this leg was won by Odin, a North 26 helmed by Matthew Simms and the Restricted Sail prize for the day went to Calisa, Neil McDonad’s Grand Soleil.

Day 2: Tobermory to Bunessan

The forty strong fleet, with yesterday’s 11 retirals hoping for more fun today, crossed the start line in Tobermory Bay, at the top of Calve Island, in a northerly wind expected to go to the south. This gave Tobermory a spinnaker start - dodgy for crews but great for spectators.

The route of the second leg takes the fleet inside the Treshnish Isles and inside Staffa, with a straight run then south into Bunessan for a ceiidh tonight in the Village Hall.

Day 3: Bunessan to Oban

Sunday 5th will see the fleet go through the Sound of Iona, through the Torran Rocks and past Kerrera to the finish.

Surprises?

When asked if there were any surprises yesterday, Philip Preston, who will get Stage 2 results to us for tomorrow morning, said: ‘Only Andy Murray losing’.