A CHILLY 11 degrees Celsius, a government warning about exercising out of doors and inhaling the cocktail of industrial pollution weighed down with Saharan dust did not stop the enthusiasts from hoisting their sails and racing at Royal Cornwall Yacht Club.

The IRC One fleet started from the committee boat anchored a little north of the water tower and they beat into a southerly 2/3 wind in calm water with most of them staying close to the St Mawes shore to dodge the incoming tide, although they had to cross it coming over to the windward mark at Governor buoy.

In such poor visibility it was difficult to identify the boats from a distance because black numbers on grey Kevlar sails are almost impossible to read.

Black Dog appeared first well in the lead somewhere between 200 and 300 metres in front of the rest and they gybed round the mark hoisted the spinnaker and headed north down the centre of the Roads.

When, at last, the rest got to the mark, they headed towards St Mawes Castle but Vindscreen Viper bore away running and followed Black Dog.

Pascos Jaguar and Per Elisa lead the group going towards the eastern shore, with the former crossing the line six minutes clear of Vindscreen Viper.

They were followed by the easily spotted light blue Per Elisa and then a line of well separated boats came up the harbour moving easily in the calm water and gentle breeze.

Black Dog had radioed in retiring with jib or forestay problems, but let's hope it can be sorted out for next Friday.

On Eclipse, new to the harbour, the skipper and crew are searching for the go-fast adjustments to everything and I am sure they will succeed as they have done in the past, but in such competitive racing it will take a time.