What is the Naval Service?

The Naval Service is the Irish State's principal seagoing agency with "a general responsibility to meet contingent and actual maritime defence requirements". It is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles.

Where is the Naval Service based?

The Naval Service is based in Ringaskiddy, Cork harbour, with headquarters in the Defence Forces headquarters in Dublin.

What does the Naval Service do?

The Naval Service provides the maritime component of the Irish State's defence capabilities and is the State's principal seagoing agency. It "protects Ireland's interests at and from the sea, including lines of communication, fisheries and offshore resources" within the Irish exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The Naval Service operates jointly with the Army and Air Corps as part of the Irish defence forces.

When was the Naval Service formed?

The Naval Service was established in 1946, replacing the Marine and Coastwatching Service set up in 1939. It had replaced the Coastal and Marine Service, the State's first marine service after independence, which was disbanded after a year. Its only ship was the Muirchú, formerly the British armed steam yacht Helga, which had been used by the Royal Navy to shell Dublin during the 1916 Rising. In 1938, Britain handed over the three "treaty" ports of Cork harbour, Bere haven and Lough Swilly.

How many ships are in the Naval Service?

The Naval Service has nine ships - one Helicopter Patrol Vessel (HPV), three Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV), two Large Patrol Vessel (LPV) and two Coastal Patrol Vessels (CPV). Each vessel is equipped with State of the art machinery, weapons, communications and navigation systems.

What are the Irish Navy ship's names?

The ships' names are prefaced with the title of Irish ship or "long Éireannach" (LE). The older ships bear Irish female names - LÉ Eithne, LÉ Orla, LÉ Ciara, LÉ Roisín, and LÉ Niamh. The newer ships, named after male Irish literary figures, are LÉ Samuel Beckett, LÉ James Joyce, LÉ William Butler Yeats and LÉ George Bernard Shaw.

Are Irish Naval Service ships armed?

Yes. The 76mm Oto Melara medium calibre naval armament is the most powerful weapon in the Naval Services arsenal. The 76mm is "capable of engaging naval targets at a range of up to 17km with a high level of precision, ensuring that the Naval Service can maintain a range advantage over all close-range naval armaments and man-portable weapon systems", according to the Defence Forces.

How is the fleet managed and maintained?

The Fleet Operational Readiness Standards and Training (FORST) unit is responsible for the coordination of the fleet needs. Ships are maintained at the Mechanical Engineering and Naval Dockyard Unit at Ringaskiddy, Cork harbour.

Who is the head of the Irish Naval Service?

The Flag Officer Commanding Naval Service (FOCNS) is Commodore Michael Malone. The head of the Defence Forces is a former Naval Service flag officer, now Vice-Admiral Mark Mellett – appointed in 2015 and the first Naval Service flag officer to hold this senior position. The Flag Officer oversees Naval Operations Command, which is tasked with the conduct of all operations afloat and ashore by the Naval Service including the operations of Naval Service ships. The Naval Operations Command is split into different sections, including Operations HQ and Intelligence and Fishery Section.

What is the Intelligence and Fishery Section of the Irish Naval Service?

The Intelligence and Fishery Section is responsible for Naval Intelligence, the Specialist Navigation centre, the Fishery Protection supervisory and information centre, and the Naval Computer Centre. The Naval Intelligence Cell is responsible for the collection, collation and dissemination of naval intelligence. The Navigation Cell is the naval centre for navigational expertise.

What is the Fishery Monitoring Centre?

The Fishery Monitoring Centre provides for fishery data collection, collation, analysis and dissemination to the Naval Service and client agencies, including the State's Sea Fisheries Protection Agency. The centre also supervises fishery efforts in the Irish EEZ and provides data for the enhanced effectiveness of fishery protection operations, as part of the EU Common Fisheries Policy. The Naval Computer Centre provides information technology (IT) support service to the Naval Service ashore and afloat.

How are shore operations managed?

This headquarters includes specific responsibility for the Executive/Operations Branch duties. The Naval Service Operations Room is a coordination centre for all NS current Operations. The Naval Service Reserve Staff Officer is responsible for the supervision, regulation and training of the reserve. The Diving section is responsible for all aspects of Naval diving and the provision of a diving service to the Naval Service and client agencies. The Ops Security Section is responsible for the coordination of base security and the coordination of all shore-based security parties operating away from the Naval base. The Naval Base Comcen is responsible for the running of a communications service. Boat transport is under the control of Harbour Master Naval Base, who is responsible for the supervision of berthage at the Naval Base and the provision of a boat service, including the civilian manned ferry service from Haulbowline.

Does the Naval Service undertake overseas missions?

Naval Service ships have undertaken trade and supply missions abroad, and personnel have served as peacekeepers with the United Nations. In 2015, Naval Service ships were sent on rotation to rescue migrants in the Mediterranean as part of a bi-lateral arrangement with Italy, known as Operation Pontus. Naval Service and Army medical staff rescued some 18,000 migrants, either pulling people from the sea or taking them off small boats, which were often close to capsizing having been towed into open water and abandoned by smugglers. Irish ships then became deployed as part of EU operations in the Mediterranean, but this ended in March 2019 amid rising anti-immigrant sentiment in the EU.

How can I join the Irish Naval Service?

Essentially, you have to be Irish, young (less than 32), in good physical and mental health and with normal vision. You must be above 5'2″, and your weight should be in keeping with your age.

Are there women in the Naval Service?

Yes, women have been recruited since 1995. One of the first two female cadets, Roberta O'Brien from the Glen of Aherlow in Co Tipperary, became its first female commander in September 2020. Sub Lieutenant Tahlia Britton from Donegal also became the first female diver in the navy's history in the summer of 2020.

What is a Naval Service Officer cadet?

A naval cadet enlists for a cadetship to become an officer in the Defence Forces. After successfully completing training at the Naval Service College, a cadet is commissioned into the officer ranks of the Naval Service as a Ensign or Sub Lieutenant.

What training is involved in becoming a Naval Service officer cadet?

A cadet trains for approximately two years duration divided into different stages. The first year is spent in military training at the Naval Base in Haulbowline, Cork. The second-year follows a course set by the National Maritime College of Ireland course. At the end of the second year and on completion of exams, and a sea term, the cadets will be qualified for the award of a commission in the Permanent Defence Force as Ensign.

What qualifications are required to become a cadet?

A cadet trains for approximately two years duration divided into different stages. The first year is spent in military training at the Naval Base in Haulbowline, Cork. The second-year follows a course set by the National Maritime College of Ireland course. At the end of the second year and on completion of exams, and a sea term, the cadets will be qualified for the award of a commission in the Permanent Defence Force as Ensign. The Defence Forces say it is looking for people who have "the ability to plan, prioritise and organise", to "carefully analyse problems, in order to generate appropriate solutions, who have "clear, concise and effective communication skills", and the ability to "motivate others and work with a team". More information is on the 2020 Qualifications Information Leaflet.

When can I apply to become a Naval Service cadet?

When you are 18 years of age or over and under 26 years of age on the date mentioned in the notice for the current competition, the officer cadet competition is held annually and is the only way for potential candidates to join the Defence Forces to become a Naval Service officer. Candidates undergo psychometric and fitness testing, an interview and a medical exam.

Where is the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI)?

The NMCI was built beside the Naval Service base at Ringaskiddy, Co Cork, and was the first third-level college in Ireland to be built under the Government's Public-Private Partnership scheme. The public partners are the Naval Service and Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) and the private partner is Focus Education.

What is a Naval Service recruit?

A Naval Service recruit enlists for general service in the "Other Ranks" of the Defence Forces. After successfully completing the initial recruit training course, a recruit passes out as an Ordinary Seaman and will then go onto their branch training course before becoming qualified as an Able Body sailor in the Naval Service.

What qualifications are required to become a Naval Service recruit?

No formal education qualifications are required to join the Defence Forces as a recruit. You need to satisfy the interview board and the recruiting officer that you possess a sufficient standard of education for service in the Defence Forces.

What training is involved in becoming a Naval Service recruit?

Recruit training is 18 weeks in duration and is designed to "develop a physically fit, disciplined and motivated person using basic military and naval skills" to "prepare them for further training in the service. Recruits are instilled with the Naval Service ethos and the values of "courage, respect, integrity and loyalty".

What is a Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) career training?

On the progression up through the various ranks, an Able Rate will have to complete a number of career courses to provide them with training to develop their skills in a number of areas, such as leadership and management, administration and naval/military skills. The first of these courses is the Naval Service Potential NCO course, followed by the Naval Service Standard NCO course and the Naval Service senior NCO course. This course qualifies successful candidates of Petty officer (or Senior Petty Officer) rank to fill the rank of Chief Petty Officer upwards. The successful candidate may also complete and graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Leadership, Management and Naval Studies in partnership with Cork Institute of Technology.

What is pay like in the Naval Service?

Pay has long been an issue for just the Naval Service, at just over 1,000 personnel. Cadets and recruits are required to join the single public service pension scheme, which is a defined benefit scheme, based on career-average earnings. For current rates of pay, see the Department of Defence website

Displaying items by tag: Kinsale

11th April 2024

Kinsale Road Closed After Yacht Lists Over Quay Wall at Low Tide

Low tide was a little too low for one Kinsale yacht which listed over the adjacent quay on Wednesday afternoon (10 April).

As CorkBeo reports, a section of Pier Road in the West Cork town was closed to traffic after the incident in the interest of safety as harbour staff and locals awaited the evening’s high tide, when it was hoped the vessel would right itself.

Whether that was the case or a tow was required, the yacht’s owner won’t be too happy about the bill for repairs or even a new lick of paint that they’re bound to face.

CorkBeo has more on the story HERE.

Published in Kinsale

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Kinsale

11th April 2024

Kinsale Harbour Cruise Vessel 'Spirit of Kinsale' to be Sold

The Spirit of Kinsale, which has operated cruises in Kinsale Harbour for over 20 years, is being sold.

Owner and operator Jerome Lordan has decided to retire. A former fisherman with experience in Ireland and overseas, he left that industry in 2003 and set up Kinsale Harbour Cruises, using the steel vessel he has now decided to sell.

“I’m 66, and it’s time to retire from the operation,” he said.

Owner and operator of the 'Spirit of Kinsale', Jerome Lordan

His family has, for generations, lived at the Old Head of Kinsale, and he has two books published about that coastal area – ‘No Flowers on a Sailor’s Grave’ about the shipwrecks of Kinsale and Courtmacsherry and ‘Peninsula People,’ a visual genealogy, social history of the area.

Dominic Daly, whose Cork auctioneering firm has experience in maritime sales - he has previously worked with State Agencies, including the Admiralty Marshall of the High Court, the Department of the Marine and other institutions on the disposal of vessels and marine assets - is handling the sale of the steel vessel.

Published in Ferry

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Kinsale

25th March 2024

Chancer Tops Frank Godsell Kinsale Yacht Club March League on IRC and ECHO

The Frank Godsell March League 2024 for mixed cruisers at Kinsale Yacht Club was won overall on IRC on Sunday, March 24th, by Michael Carroll's Elan 40 Chancer.

The Carroll brothers entry won on four points from Stephen Lysaght's Elan 333, Reavra Too on seven. Cian McCarthy's Sunfast 3300 Cinnamon Girl was third. The results were repeated on ECHO handicap.

The league concluded in miserable conditions, with low visibility and wind up to 25 knots in the doubleheader day with courses set around Sanycove and the Bulman by KYC Race Officer Michele Kennelly.

Although raced under IRC and ECHO, the White Sails division attracted the most interest, with Alan Mulcahy's Albin Express Apache finishing top in IRC and ECHO in the six-boat fleet, according to KYC's provisional results below.

Alan Mulcahy (left), skipper of Apache, was the winner of the IRC and ECHO White Sail division, scoring three wins. He is pictured with and Frank Godsell, Sponsor (right) and KInsale Yacht Club Commodore Anthony Scannell Photo: Bob Bateman

In both, White Sails IRC and ECHO, Tony O'Brien's J109 Tighey Boy from Schull Harbour Sailing Club was second, with Patrick Beckett's Tofinou 8, Miss Charlie in third.

As Afloat reported previously, this was the 42nd annual Frank Godsell League, representing the sponsor's long-time commitment.

Frank Godsell Kinsale Yacht Club March League Prizegiving Photo Gallery By Bob Bateman

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11th March 2024

Apache Tops First Race of Frank Godsell Kinsale Yacht Club March League

The Frank Godsell March League 2024 for mixed cruisers at Kinsale Yacht Club got off to an exciting start on Sunday. The fleet decided to round alternative turning marks after discovering that some of the prescribed buoys on the course were missing.

Although raced under IRC and ECHO, the White Sails division is attracting the most interest, with Alan Mulcahy's Albin Express Apache finishing top in IRC and ECHO, according to KYC's provisional results below.

In the spirit of sportsmanship, a competing crew member suggested the fleet sail onto Hake as Sandy Cove was missing. It was a suggestion that met with unanimous approval. The fleet then discovered that the Centre Point mark was missing, and the J109 Tighey Boy used two Black fishing pots, which were roughly in position. Again, the fleet all agreed to go around them, which meant the race continued without the need to discard it.

As Afloat reported previously, this is the 42nd annual Frank Godsell League, representing a long-time commitment of the sponsor. The league will run for three weeks, with two more races to follow Sunday's opening.

Published in Kinsale

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20th September 2023

A Season of Success Celebrated at Kinsale Yacht Club's 'At Home' Regatta

Kinsale Yacht Club's 'At Home' Regatta, sponsored by Victoria's Antiques, was held on Sunday, 17th September, and saw a great turnout despite the damp weather.

The event was a big success, with many sailors from the sailability, dinghy, and keelboat classes coming together to celebrate the Club's active year.

The Daunt Trophy was won by Albert O'Neill, skipper of the Sallybelle, while Patrick Beckett, skipper of 'Miss Charlie', was the White Sail Winner and Perpetual "At Home Trophy" winner.

The clubhouse and covered balcony were buzzing with excitement. The covered balcony connected the outside to the bar dining room and worked wonders in bringing people together. It was particularly impressive to see the sailability members, led by hard-working member Donal Hickey, come together with the dinghy and keelboat classes to celebrate.

The Club has had a very active year, with the Sovereign's Cup and Dragon National Championships under its go-ahead Commodore Matthias Hellstern, and it looks forward to the prestigious international Dragon Gold Cup, which promises to be a highlight of the 2024 Irish sailing season next September.

Patrick Beckett, the skipper of 'Miss Charlie', the White Sail Winner and Perpetual “At Home Trophy” winner at Kinsale Yacht Club's 2023 'At Home' Regatta, is pictured with KYC Commodore Matthias Hellstern (left) and regatta sponsor Frances Lynch of Victoria Antiques Photo: Bob Bateman

Mark Leonard, sailing Corrib Two, was a prizewinner at Kinsale Yacht Club's 2023 'At Home' Regatta and is pictured with KYC Commodore Matthias Hellstern (left) and regatta sponsor Frances Lynch of Victoria Antiques Photo: Bob Bateman

The 'At Home' Regatta Race Officer Donal Hayes was on the Charles Fort Line, while Race Officer Tim Cronin looked after Kinsale Yacht Club's Junior Fleets.

Padraig O’Donovan sailing 'Chameleon' was a prizewinner at Kinsale Yacht Club's 2023 'At Home' Regatta and is pictured with KYC Commodore Matthias Hellstern (left) and regatta sponsor Frances Lynch of Victoria Antiques Photo: Bob Bateman

The All-In Cruisers division began racing at 13.55hrs, followed by All-In White Sail, Dragon, and Squib one-design keelboats. Sailability sailors sailed in the waters between the Pier and Spit buoy.

Finbarr O’Regan's Artful Dodjer was the winner of the all-in Cruisers division at Kinsale Yacht Club's 2023 'At Home' Regatta and is pictured with KYC Commodore Matthias Hellstern (left) and regatta sponsor Frances Lynch of Victoria Antiques Photo: Bob Bateman

Brian Carroll, sailing Chancer, was second in the all-in Cruisers division at Kinsale Yacht Club's 2023 'At Home' Regatta and is pictured with KYC Commodore Matthias Hellstern (left) and regatta sponsor Frances Lynch of Victoria Antiques Photo: Bob Bateman

Richard Hanley, sailing Saoirse, was third in the all-in Cruisers division at Kinsale Yacht Club's 2023 'At Home' Regatta and is pictured with KYC Commodore Matthias Hellstern (left) and regatta sponsor Frances Lynch of Victoria Antiques Photo: Bob Bateman

Despite the weather, everyone enjoyed the Kinsale Yacht Club's 2023 'At Home' Regatta and prizegiving.

Kinsale Yacht Club's 'At Home' Regatta Photo Gallery by Bob Bateman

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Kinsale

15th September 2023

J109 'Artful Dodjer' is IRC1 Winner of Eden Capital Mid-Week Series at Kinsale

The J109 Artful Dodjer, skippered by Finbarr O'Regan, secured the victory in the final race of the Eden Capital Mid-Week Series for cruisers at Kinsale Yacht Club, winning by a narrow margin of 9 seconds over the Sunfast 3300 Cinnamon Girl, helmed by Cian McCarthy and Sam Hunt.

Artful Dodjer was formidable throughout the series, winning all six races. Stephen Lysaght's Reavra Too finished second overall in IRC, while Artful Dodjer and Cinnamon Girl claimed first and second place respectively in Echo.

In Class 2, Mathilde Dingemans and Gerard Campbell's Cirrus dominated in IRC, winning three races and placing second in two others. They also secured first place in Echo. Sammy Cohen's Gunsmoke 11 placed second in both IRC and Echo.

In IRC3, Apache, helmed by Alan Mulcahy, claimed first place with an impressive five race wins. Richard Hanley's Saoirse finished second overall. Meanwhile, Padraig O'Donovan's Chameleon took first place in Class 3 Echo, closely followed by Martin Hargrove's Deboah, which secured second place overall by just one point.

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Kinsale

3rd September 2023

Tom Dolan Makes Solid Start in the Second Leg of La Solitaire du Figaro at Kinsale, Despite Dropping to 20th Place

Tom Dolan, the Irish solo sailor who won the first leg of the 54th La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec, has made a solid start in the second stage of the competition. The leg, which covers over 500 miles from Kinsale in Ireland to Roscoff on the Bay of Morlaix, promises to be a light winds affair with plenty of opportunities for the fleet to expand and contract in the strong tidal currents.

Despite not having a boat-on-boat dinghy racing background, Dolan has been proving himself on the longer courses. He made a good start in the second stage, finishing tenth out of the bay in good company just behind some of his closest rivals. However, after 30 miles of racing, he had dropped into 20th place and was two miles behind the early leader Romen Richard of France.

Before leaving the dock in Kinsale, Dolan said, "The leg looks tricky. I feel good now. The start looks quite clear, we will be sailing downwind along the coast in the sea-breeze. Tonight there could be a big split. Some of the weather models are sending us offshore, others are telling us to hug the coast, there are two extremes."

The course will take the solo sailors up to a mark in the Irish Sea, most likely to be offshore of Dun Laoghaire, and Spanish sailor Pep Costa, who is weather adviser to some of the international sailors, has described it as "a very tricky leg." Costa added, "It is going to be mostly a light winds leg with thermal winds today transitioning into a very very light winds zone before coming into a light north to north east wind for later tonight. So they will be very close to the coast under spinnakers. Downwind it is very close to VMG and then tonight into a NE to E wind. They will go offshore and tack in the NE’ly maybe a few tacks to Tuskar rock. The breeze will fill in around 10-15 knots but the current is quite strong so they need to be close to the shore when the current is against them and offshore when it is with them."

Gaston Morvan of Région Bretagne CMB won the Paprec Trophy for the first around the short, departure circuit, just as he also led away from Caen a week ago.

Standings after Stage 1

1 Tom Dolan, IRL, (Smurfit Kappa-KIngspan) 3d 19h 16m 46 s
2 Nils Palmieri, SUI, (Teamwork) 3d 19h 23m 13s + 6 min 27 sec
3 Robin Marais, FRA, (Moi Chance Moi Aussi) 3d 19h 23m 13s + 8 min 17 sec
4 Benoit Tuduri, FRA, (Capso en Cavale) 3d 19h00m 25s (+30 mins penalty) +13 mins 39 sec
5 Basile Bourgnon, FRA, (Edenred) 3d 19h 31m 05 s +14 min 18 secs
6 Romain Le Gall, FRA, (Centre Excellence Voile Secours Populaire) 3d 19h 32m 52s + 16m 06s
7 Alexis Loison, FRA, (Groupe REEL) 3d 19h 32m 55 s + 16 m 09s
8 Elodie Bonafous, FRA (Queguiner La Vie en Rose) 3d 19h 33m 07s +16m 21s
9 Lois Berrehar, FRA, (Skipper MACIF 2022) 3d19h 33m 16m +16m 30s
10 Guillaume Pirouelle, FRA, (Region Normandie) 3d 19h 33m 32s +16m 46 sec

Published in Figaro

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29th August 2023

Kinsale Yacht Club Pays Tribute to Under 25 Sailors

The Commodore of Kinsale Yacht Club, Matthias Hellestern, has congratulated the club's Under 25 team on another success.

As Afloat reported, the Under-25 Kinsale team competed at the J Cup Ireland in the J24 division and managed to stay in the top spot, scoring a total of 10 points across the two days of competition.

In his message, the Commodore said: 'Kinsailor U25 team won the J Cup and East Coast Champions. Congratulations to the team on once again a fantastic achievement."

KYC members support the team's campaigns in their J24 'Kinsailor', which club members bought for the young sailors and arrange to transport the boat to and from championships around the country.

Published in J24

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J 24
Kinsale

27th August 2023

Kinsale Expects First La Solitaire du Figaro Racers in Port This Thursday

The 54th La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec, a renowned solo sailing race, kicked off its first stage today at Ouistreham beach off Caen on France's Normandy coast. The 32 solo skippers were given a purposeful but relatively straightforward start on a 610 nautical miles leg, which passes down the English Channel. The racers will giant slalom across the Channel three times before turning northwest to the popular, pretty haven of Kinsale on Ireland's south coast.

Gaston Morvan, a young sailor from Région Bretagne CMB, broke the start line first and built a decent lead around a short upwind-downwind inshore course. He earned the Trophée Windchaser by Bollé for his start and the Paprec Trophy for leading round the first circuit. The moderate to fresh breeze was both shifty and puffy, keeping the solo racers on their toes from the gun. The racers were blown away by the built-up nerves and stress of a week of countdown, waiting in Caen city, with an immediate surge of adrenaline.

A sharp rain shower hit the racers, which was heralded by a sudden drop in the wind. However, as soon as the little front blew over, the fleet headed out into the Channel, heeled sharply. The first cross-channel section on Sunday afternoon and evening should be a speed race to Nab Tower in a heading, fading breeze. The leaders will likely stay south, outside of the Isle of Wight, unless there is enough north in the breeze to make it through the Solent on one tack with the new, favourable tide.

The course crosses back to Les Jument des Haux off Paimpol on the north Brittany coast, where the long climb through the Scillies to the Fastnet begins, passing the tip of Lands End. The leaders should be into Kinsale first thing Thursday morning. Early on the stage out of the bay this afternoon, a collision occurred between Loison and Hugo Dahlenne from YC de Saint Lunaire, a top Bizuth prospect. However, neither skipper was injured, and the damage is described as "not performance affecting."

Overall, the start of the race was purposeful, with Morvan leading the charge and the fleet experiencing a mixture of shifting and puffy breezes. The racers will now continue on their journey, with the leaders expected to reach Kinsale by Thursday morning.

A true Figaro ‘full fat, no holds barred’ edition

This 54th edition of the pinnacle French annual solo offshore race – the first of five editions to be sponsored by giant French recycling and alternative energy group Paprec – comprises three long stages, all over 600 miles (usually four days and four nights) – totalling 1850 nautical miles. After the Kinsale opener, which starts with tiring tidal, coastal, channel sections moving into a more open offshore stage up the Celtic Sea, the 630 miles second leg goes to Roscoff via a passage up the Irish Sea to the Isle of Man and down into the mouth of Bristol Channel round Land’s End to the Bay of Morlaix.

And before the finish in Piriac sur Mer there is a big, ‘standard issue’ open, offshore across the Bay of Biscay and back. Race Director Yann Chateau, an accomplished offshore racer in his own right, has drawn a course that maximises time on the water, minimises recovery periods to a sensible level and should fully test all of the different key attributes required by a deserved winner.

Who’s who?

Of the young guns, on paper one of the outstanding talents is Le Havre’s 28-year-old Guillaume Pirouelle (Région Normandie). The former 470 Olympic campaigner, a youth European champion in the class, was second overall last year and won the second stage and has just won the Solo Concarneau Guy Cotten. Gaston Morvan shows great promise and is consistently in the top group, fifth overall in 2022, but is still looking for his first stage win but could make it onto the overall podium this edition.

Corentin Horeau, 34, returns for his seventh La Solitaire du Figaro. After a six-year break, Horeau came back in 2021 and has finished eighth and 13th but is very much on form this year. He races now in the colours of Banque Populaire, who are back in La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec and won the early season Solo Maire CoQ. And Alexis Loison is back for his 17th La Solitaire at the age of 38 with a new sponsor Groupe REEL. He is the veritable Jedi master in the Channel tides and currents and has been sailing fast. Has has finished fourth twice and many times in the top ten.

And Ireland’s Tom Dolan (Smurfit Kappa-Kingspan) has worked hard to become a regular fixture near the front of the peloton. He was seventh last year and fifth in 2020 and has the potential to finish on the podium. Briton Alan Roberts is, of course, engaged in an IMOCA programme and misses the race for the first time in ten years. There are five women racing this year, including Élodie Bonafous (Queguiner La Vie en Rose), who finished eighth last year and was third on the last leg last year, the first female to do so since Clare Francis. Bonafous already has a 2028 Vendée Globe programme under way with her sponsors Queguiner which supported Yann Eliès on the 2016-17 race.

Overseas, non French

As well as Dolan and Swiss skipper Nils Palmieri (Teamwork), there are four other international racers. Susann Beucke (This Race is Female), Germany’s 49er FX Olympic silver medallist in Tokyo, returns for her second challenge, more experienced – not least after time with the Holcim-PRB team winning Leg 2 of The Ocean Race – she has hopes of a solid, competitive race.

Celtic adventurer 61-year-old Piers Copham has designs on the 2028 Vendée Globe with the Voiles des Anges charity, which supports bereaved parents and families who lose infant children. Brit David Paul (Just A Drop) is into his third race, aiming to finish every leg with a decent performance to build a platform for the future. And Kiwi Ben Beasley (Ocean Attitude), 23 is one of the ten rookies competing this year for the Beneteau Trophée.

They said:

Corentin Horeau (Banque Populaire): “ I don't care if people say I'm one of the favourites. I try to do my race without looking too much at others as I have been doing since the start of the season. I will try to stick to my course, favorite or not favorite. Last year, I think I was in the favorites and I was 13th. We'll see at the end. The first stage will be a real Figaro stage. You have to get into the top group. There will be twists everywhere. We will try to take pleasure in seeing the others come back individually or come back in the groups. I think there will be a lot of lead changes. We do not really know what it will be like when we arrive in Ireland. We are really in a pure and hard stage of Solitaire”.

Tom Dolan (IRL) Smurfit Kappa-Kingspan: “ The big question is between The Needles and the mark at Jument des Heaux no one really knows what will be going on there, if there might be a sea breeze coming in from England. The thing is of there is sea breeze we might end up getting stuck for six hours (as the sea breeze would kill the gradient) with no wind. I feel grand.”

Alexis Loison (Groupe REEL): “Most of all you have to have a clear weather picture in your head it's important. It's not going to be simple, just like every start of La Solitaire. You can break it down, there is a coastal part where the land influences the wind, and a lot of current all the same. Even if for the moment we have small tidal coefficients, they will increase quickly. And then the strong current can lead to many possible stop-starts. And in terms of weather, there are quite a few small phenomena that pass with very dynamic fronts which are often poorly detailed by the models. There is a real element of uncertainty, you might see a boat be 500 meters next to you which flies away in a puff, a gust that you don’t get will have to have your eyes open. And above all, believe in your options. I am aiming for a podium, at the minimum”

Elodie Bonafous (Queguiner La Vie en Rose): “I am ready. Everything is on board the boat, I have plenty of good things to eat, I have the weather forecast and clear ideas. I can't wait to leave. We are always afraid of having forgotten something, but the stress I had was more positive stress that boosts me. I feel fit. It ended well last year, started well this year. I've worked a lot mentally so I want to be pushing even more, to be at sea every night and give my all. The Solo Guy Cotten, after my recovery from injury, was quite positive so I remain on target for my objectives for the start of the season. The general objective is to finish ideally in the Top 5 to do better than last year. I hope to repeat and be back on the podium, and most of all not to make big mistake, not to take too long, not to take too many risks risky or burn myself out at the start of the race. The first stage is like a series of little coastal courses where there are currents and local effects. I like that. There will be a lot happening in terms of the weather, which will be very uncertain. I'm starting with more experience so I think it can be an advantage to be able to remain lucid and be able to make good decisions towards the end of the legs We will see ".

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16th July 2023

Travers and O'Riordan Lead as Squibs Race in 30-Knots at Kinsale

Racing in westerly winds gusting to 30 knots, local crews hold the top three places overall after the first two races of the Squib South Coast Championship at Kinsale Yacht Club.

National champions Ian Travers and Keith O'Riordan won both races that were held outside Kinsale Harbour.

The 21-boat fleet assembled for the Squib South Coast Championships at Kinsale Yacht Club Photo: Bob Bateman

Second in the 21-boat fleet is James and Harvey Matthews who took a 2,3 to be on five points and one ahead of club commodore Matthias Hellstern and Colm Daly.

Second overall James and Harvey Matthews lead around a weather mark at the Squib Southern Championships at Kinsale Photo: Bob Bateman