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fastnet

23rd May 2009
30 years ago this August, the Fastnet Race was hit by a storm that led to the loss of 15 lives among racing sailors, the sinking of five boats and the rescue of 135 yachtsmen.



 

At the young age of 18 I competed in the 1979 Fastnet Race on board the yacht Silver Foam. Luckily the crew survived and arrived safely in Dunmore East. 30 years on I now wish to salute the bravery and heroism of the RNLI crews in Ireland and England who risked their lives on the night of the 14th of August 1979. On the Anniversary of the 1979 Fastnet  ( 14th of August) I plan to sail my 16ft Dinghy ( Sport 16 Topper ) with my crew Professor Ciaran O’Boyle from the Fastnet Rock to Crosshaven in aid of the RNLI. During this fundraising trip we plan to visit the Life Boat Stations at Baltimore, Court Mc Sherry and Crosshaven.
For those of your readers who wish to contribute to this special 30th Anniversary fundraising event they can go to
http://www.mycharity.ie/event/fastnet_challenge_2009/

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