212man - pretty much what I thought and the same I would use departing from the back of a frigate or other grey-funnel liner.
There is therefore a disconnect between what is done in the real world and what is required for an IR - other posters have pointed out that flight below Vmini is not covered on the rating or the training for that rating.
Are you complying with the RFM if you are flying with reference to the instruments below Vmini?
Personally I think it is fine - it is part of the transition from hover to forward flight that makes helicopters so useful - but there are plenty of pedants who would never condone IF flight below Vmini in any circumstances.