Richard from Yarmouth RNLI shares this news from the weekend. Ed
Rough conditions resulted in the total loss of a well known Isle of Wight yacht, Alchemist, during the JP Morgan Asset Management Round The Island Yacht race on 2nd July.
The Yarmouth RNLI all weather lifeboat raced to help her as she was taking on water rapidly. The Mudeford RNLI inshore lifeboat was also in attendance and rescued all the crew seconds before she sank in 17 metres of water just east of the Needles.
Well known racer
Alchemist was a well-known Junior Offshore Group (JOG) racer and had competed successfully for many years.
Her owner, Mark Wynter, is commodore of the Island Sailing Club, the race organisers, and was not on board. Her loss will be deeply felt by all the offshore racing fraternity.
Challenging conditions
The strong wind forecast resulted in the cancellation of all the smaller classes of yacht. Conditions south of the Island were challenging.
The Yarmouth lifeboat was called to no less than six incidents including the loss of a mast, damaged rudder, crew injuries and damaged hulls.
Image: © Marion Heming
