After a wet and windy season the weather gods conjured up a new and unusual challenge for the finale of the RORC 2011 season: light airs and thick fog. Speaking after the race the overall winner, RORC Vice Commodore, Mike Greville said that it was a good and challenging tactical race. "The combination of thick fog and light patchy breeze made it really difficult to sail to the wind. The instruments were not a lot of help because of the wind sheer and we struggled to see the tell tales in the thick fog in the dark. The secret of our success, apart from keeping the boat moving, was our decision to go west. There was more breeze and at a better angle particularly as we closed the finish at Cherbourg."

The fog also caused the race committee problems at the start and the RIB at the outer distance mark was invaluable in checking for OCS boats. The wind was westerly force 3 and the fleet were just able to carry their kites. Exiting the Solent to the East there were large holes in the wind to spot and avoid off Bembridge.

The light wind prevailed throughout the race and the first boat to finish was the Carroll Marine 60, Venomous, owned by Derek Saunders, which took over 14 hours to complete the 78 nautical mile course to win IRC Zero. Erivale, Mike Greville's Ker 39, took class honours in IRC One and IRC Overall finishing at 1026. David Ballantyne's J/133 Jings took second in both IRC One and IRC Overall finishing at 1057. She was followed by Class 40 winner Marc Lepesqueux sailing Les Conquérants de Normandie at 1134. Then there was a long wait until the rest of the fleet trickled into Cherbourg over the course of the afternoon.

Steven Anderson sailing his First 40.7 Encore two-handed claimed a win in IRC Two, with Ed Broadway's First 40 Carpe Diem second and RORC Commodore Andrew McIrvine's La Réponse third.

In IRC Three Nikki Curwen triumphed in her J/105 Voador from sister ship Diablo-J sailed by Rear Commodore Nick Martin. Peter Olden's A 35, Solan Goose pipped Noel Racine's Foggy Dew to get third place by four minutes on corrected time.

Jean Yves Chateau's Iromiguy won IRC Four by over two hours from Ian Braham's Enigma. Kirsteen Donaldson sailing her X 332 Pyxis, took third place in IRC Four but was delighted to win the Two-Handed Class beating Steven Anderson's Encore by just four and a half minutes. The win meant all the more to Kirsteen after her disappointment at having to retire in the Rolex Fastnet Race with standing rigging failure.

The race proved a suitable end to a challenging Season. The Season's Points and other Trophy winners will be announced within the next few days.