IMX 38 eXcession Claims IRC 1 Victory in Thrilling 2025 Ailsa Craig Race

Bangor, June 21, 2025 — With a warning signal at 19:30 on Friday evening, the 2025 Ailsa Craig Race set off in picture-perfect Solstice conditions, promising excitement and unpredictability across its 80-nautical-mile course. Sailing aboard eXcession, an IMX38, a determined and battle-ready crew of eight — Ruan O’Tiarnaigh, John Harrington, Stuart Ogg, Madeline Harrington, Finlay Tulett, Joseph Karauzum, Max Killiner, and Thomas Mulvenna — wrote a dramatic chapter in this classic offshore challenge, ultimately taking the top spot in IRC 1 on corrected time.

Lightning Start and Strong Tactical Play

The race began with eXcession taking a smart midline position on the starting line and launching their symmetrical kite cleanly, rounding Mark 1 in pole position. A tidy gybe and Code 0 deployment saw them charging ahead on a straight-line fetch towards the iconic Ailsa Craig.

Forecasts favoured a high-line strategy, and eXcession committed early, flanked by other tactical plays — Sigmantra choosing a jib-led fetch high towards Copeland Sound, Elixir and Jemmie Dodger opting for a lower, spinnaker-fueled route to the Mull of Kintyre. The middle corridor, where eXcession battled with Blacksmith and Succession, proved pivotal.

Despite Blacksmith slipping past mid-channel thanks to a dual-sail advantage, eXcession’s decision to hold height and power through with their trusty (if occasionally unruly) Rolly Tasker Code 0 paid dividends across the North Channel.

 

A Wild Ride Around the Rock

As night descended and winds built up to 24 knots near Ailsa Craig, the team’s resolve was tested. A tricky furl of the Code 0 while hoisting the J2 led to a hairy bear-away, briefly risking control. Elixir surged inside with a bold tidal eddy move — only to fall victim to the Craig’s notorious vortex. Like Lofna and others, they became trapped in the maelstrom, allowing eXcession to press on behind Blacksmith.

Sigmantra, always in striking distance, crept closer under cover of darkness.

Solstice Surge and the Final Chase

With the tide turning, the return leg to Bangor brought new dynamics. Playing their position just north of the rhumb line, eXcession re-hoisted the Code 0 in a steady 16-knot breeze and poured on the pressure. Aided by the early light of Solstice dawn, they capitalised on a wind patch as Blacksmith slowed, closing the gap.

But there was no rest. As Sigmantra harnessed its length and Blacksmith used her beam, the three boats compressed into a fierce tactical standoff. Sneaky Elixir, freed from the Craig’s grip, clawed back distance in stealth mode.

In the final run past Groomsport and Ballymacormick Point, the wind softened into patchy veins and glassy traps — the kind of conditions that test both crew focus and sail-handling precision. Code 0s were redeployed in search of every last puff, with all three lead boats dodging shadows and hunting breeze lanes to the very end.

At 06:58:41 — 11 hours, 23 minutes, and 41 seconds after the start — eXcession crossed the line, marking a triumphant return after a previous 27-hour grind around the Craig.

 

Victory on Corrected Time

When results were tallied, eXcession’s effort and consistency earned them first place in IRC 1 on corrected time, ahead of Sigmantra, Blacksmith, Elixir, and Succession. In IRC 2, equally tight racing saw the Strangford J109 Jemmie Dodger shine with a standout YTC performance.

This year’s Ailsa Craig Race will be remembered for its near-perfect conditions, razor-thin margins, and bold tactical gambits — and for eXcession, a victory forged through team grit, calculated strategy, and an unshakable belief in the plan.

Thanks for sharing your story to the crew of eXcession, 2025 Ailsa Craig Race.