Arctic to Antigua for Irish owner

30th April 2008

It's a return to warmer climes for inveterate RStGYC cruiser Michael Holland, whose Dubois-designed 72-foot ketch is the only Irish-registered yacht taking part in Antigua Sailing Week.

Holland and crew spent several weeks at the beginning of 2008 cruising Antarctica, venturing south from Ushuaia on the southern tip of South America to reach the ice floes of the Antarctic.

The only ice they'll encounter this week is that floating in their rum & cokes.

Celtic Spirit of Fastnet, in the Caribbean

The boat was equipped with central heating for the icy voyage, and Holland cut his teeth on coldwater cruising with a trip to Iceland with other RStGYC members in 2005.

It's air-conditioning they'll need in the Caribbean, however, as they join the 185-boat fleet currently revelling in 19-20 knots, and temperatures in the thirties.

Also among the races is giant maxi ICAP Leopard, due to make the journey to Ireland this summer for the Round Ireland race. Howth man Gordon Maguire, veteran of several global circumnavigations, is part of Leopard's rearguard in Antigua and will also make the trip home to Ireland to sail in the Round Ireland.

For more Antigua race week news, click here.

Published in News From the Afloat.ie Archive

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