Howth Yacht Club's Shane Diviney Debuts on China One at Extreme Sailing Series

26th June 2016

Dublin born pro-sailor Diviney on China One Credit: Mark Lloyd

Shane Diviney from Howth Yacht Club represents Irish sailing interests at the Extreme Sailing Series this weekend in Cardiff. The unique global professional racing circuit visits eight countries in ten months where seven international crews compete including the Dublin born pro-sailor Diviney.

Diviney (25) has clocked up a lof of professional experience in many sailing circuits (see CV below) but this is his first inclusion in the Extreme Sailing Series where he races with the Chinese flagged team.

- Shane's role with China One for the Extreme Sailing Series:

"I am part of the sailing team with China One. I was trimming in Act 1 and 2 in Muscat and Qindago. In Cardiff I am filling in on the bow for Chris Steele who is injured. Doing bow on the GC32 involves trimming the board rake on the foils which controls our flight."

- What it means to Shane to be part of the team and the Series:

"It is exciting to be involved in a Series that I have followed for many years. 2016 was a great year for China One to join the ESS with the move to the foiling GC32 boats. These boats are at the forefront high performance racing at the moment and I feel very lucky to be involved in this new style of sailing."

Shane_Diviney_Extreme_Sailing_series

Shane competing in China One (left) yesterday in Cardiff. Photo: Mark Lloyd

- Why is the Extreme Sailing Series different to other sailing events Shane has been involved with:

"The racing in the Extreme Sailing Series is very much geared towards spectator friendly sailing, with racing always taking place very close to shore and very little sea room in which the race course can be laid. In some venues such as Cardiff it is not possible for the race committee to set a traditional windward/ leeward race course given the usual wind direction. Therefore they have to get creative with the race course. I find it refreshing to do these more unusual course formats when we are used doing standard windward/ leeward courses in most other racing. Racing close to land also means that the breeze is usually very gusty and shifty which can make things interesting when you have 8 foiling boats meters apart doing 30+ knots."

Shane's CV:

Born in Dublin on 20.05.91
Ireland and New Zealand Match Racing champion
1st Class 0 2015 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race
3rd 2015 GC32 Riva Cup - Lake Garda
1st 2015 Warren Jones Youth International
2nd Youth European Match Racing Champs

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