Blogs

Ireland’s second entry into October’s Volvo Ocean Race (VOR) is sinkingbefore it leaves the dock, and a lack of sponsorship is to blame accordingto its skipper, 2007 Fastnet race winner Ger O’Rourke.The Limerick sailor confounded pundits when news of the…

The best way to safeguard the future is to invent it and by introducingsatellite tracker technology, Wicklow Sailing Club brought internet accessto this year's BMW Round Ireland race.Out went arbitrary reporting positions relayed by Coast Guard and in cameprecise tracking…

It's not official yet but sailing looks set to be become the next extreme sport when the Olympic regatta starts tomorrow. If smog, strong currents and the absence of wind was not enough of an obstacle there's even more trouble…

In any yacht race if the wind changes direction just about anything canhappen. The last few months have been like that for Ger O'Rourke,chasing his dream of entering next month's Volvo Ocean Race. It's anagainst-all-the-odds story, and that's even before…

Although a week of great highs is in prospect for Irish sailing over thenext two weeks, it has been preceded by tragedy after a coastal race turnedto disaster for a Poolbeg crew last Sunday.In Dun Laoghaire, 136 SB3s have assembled…

Peter O’Leary starts as a favourite for the All–Ireland sailingchampionships and that's not just because he is a past winner. Above allelse, he says, it is his Beijing preparations that give him an edge offHowth this morning. A week ago…

It's an ill wind that doesn't blow some good. In the south Atlantic and alsoin county Waterford, winter gales have produced record results for sailorsthis week while a record-breaking run, set in a summer gale, will be toastedin Wicklow tomorrow…

Only a week into the Volvo Ocean Race (VOR) and Ireland's new-found loveaffair with world offshore sailing is to continue as Belfast prepares to bidfor stop-over port status in the 2011 edition of the race.The news comes in the first…

On the podium in Cape Town, after two shredded spinnakers and a high speed collision, Ian Walker easily shrugs off the age-old superstition that painting a boat green brings bad luck. What's more, the British leader of Irish hopes in…

National pride is the only reason Ciara Peelo would leave her boat in Qingdao and head north on a 1,000-kilometre journey on the eve of the biggest regatta of her career. When the single female sailor enters Beijing's Olympic stadium…

Forever the bridesmaid and never the bride. Is there an unwritten rule we just haven't read that Ireland must always be second in the Commodore's Cup? After a series of near misses, there were many reasons why last weekend would…

With only 57 days to go the Olympic regatta Irish sailing enters the dock tomorrow for an appeal over one of its nominations and, as it was for Athens, it is the Star keelboat selection that is in deep water.…

Last week I asked my bank manager if there was any danger of his bank going bust. Thankfully, he assured me it was in fine shape but it’s an indication of the times in which we live. A small marine…
On this week’s edition of RTE Radio one's Seascapes, presenter Marcus Connaughton interivews Ned Dennison on Long Distance Open Water Swimming. He also speaks with Muriel Bolger aboard the Clebrity Equinox about Luxury Cruises. There's also a preview with Padraig…
Tune in tomorrow night to Seascapes (Friday December 18th, 2009, 10.30pm, RTE Radio 1), to find out about the first Irish electric ship, Christmas on the Cape, sailing lessons and handling boats – and lots more maritime news. See over…
The shut down of the government's National Sail Training Programme is headlining on Seascapes (Friday December 11th, 2009, 10.30pm, RTE Radio 1), despite its commitment to replace Asgard. Tom and his team have several other reports to broadcast – details…