#VOR - Congratulations to Team Vestas Wind's Brian Carlin, who last night picked up the inaugural Inmarsat Onboard Reporter Award at the Volvo Ocean Race's first awards night in Cape Town.

The experienced Irish sailing photographer and filmmaker – and frequent Afloat contributor – was chosen by the award jury for his "brilliant" storytelling and "unique style" via video, photos and text, according to the official VOR website.

What's more, Carlin was selected above some proven veterans in the field, such as Team Alvimedica's Amory Ross, who reported from the Puma boat in the last Volvo Ocean Race.

The awards night at the V&A Waterfront also saw Chinese entry Dongfeng Race Team pick up the IWC 24-Hour Speed Record Challenge title for the swiftest run of the seven-boat fleet, covering a staggering 541 nautical miles on 3 November.

And with their second-place finish in Leg 1, Dongfeng's performance this far will surely be a delight to the race's title sponsors Volvo.

That's the same Volvo that recently purchased a 45% stake Dongfeng Motor Group and now aims to cultivate a significant audience for the VOR in China, as Bloomberg Businessweek reports.

#vor – Team Vestas Wind, with Kerry's Brian Carlin onboard, gambled – and lost big time – during a night of movement and a lead change in the fleet. Now the lead is taken by pre race favourite Abu–Dhabi with Cork bowman Justin Slattery.

The boats had all been sailing very close to the African coast to pick up the prevalent breeze there and at one stage Team SCA went as close at 0.5 miles from the shores of Morocco.

Then the Danish boat decided to make a bold move, sailing west in the opposite direction to the fleet. It was the wrong decision but it took Team Vestas Wind longer than the rest of the fleet to realise it.

At 0500 UTC, Team Vestas Wind were in last position, some 15 nautical miles from the leader and nine miles from the their closest rivals, Team Brunel, in sixth position.

Meanwhile, up ahead, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing regained the lead ahead of Team Alvimedica with Dongfeng Race Team hot on their heels at 0500 UTC.

The 15 nautical miles separating first and last was the biggest gap since the start of the race.

Justin Slattery carrying out a sail change on Abu–Dhabi racing

The forecast does not seem to be improving in terms of wind speed to push the boats on their way with light breeze expected for the next few hours.

Sailing away from the coast is not an option where the wind has dropped away altogether. If the conditions continue, the boats will not pass through the Canary Islands until tomorrow afternoon local time.

Now the big question is which side of the Canaries will they take: west or east. If the forecast stays like this, they will probably go east, the channel between the islands and the African coast

#VOR - More than two years in the making, the 12th edition of the Volvo Ocean Race finally gets under way with the first leg from Alicante to Cape Town tomorrow Saturday 11 October.

Seven teams comprising 66 sailors and 18 nationalities will set sail in identical one-design Volvo Ocean 65 racing machines that will this weekend plough through the wave of the Atlantic, headed south some 6,500 miles to South Africa's Cape of Good Hope.

Among them is Team SCA, the first all-women entry in the gruelling round-the-world yacht race since 2002, and late entrant Team Vestas Wind, who had just six weeks to prepare for the race start.

That team also has an Irishman on board in the shape of noted photographer and filmmaker Brian Carlin, who will serve as the boat's on-board reporter for the nine months at sea.

Another Irish participant is Justin Slattery, a four-time VOR veteran and a previous race winner in 2006 with ABN AMRO ONE, who rejoins Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing for another crack at offshore sailing's crowning achievement.

Other teams in the running include China's Dongfeng Race Team; Dutch entry Team Brunel; US hopefuls and the youngest of the bunch, Team Alvimedica; and Spanish contingent MAPFRE.

#VOR - It's been a whirlwind few weeks for Team Vestas Wind, the seventh and final entry in the next Volvo Ocean Race, which sets sail around the world in just 18 days' time.

And it's been no less hectic for the team's onboard reporter, experienced Irish sailing photographer and filmmaker (and frequent Afloat contributor) Brian Carlin, who writes here about his surprising selection for the race's 'dark horse' team and recent Leg 0 winners...

It was something I really wanted and the opportunity came. I had applied just like the other 2,500 people in February 2012 for a job as onboard reporter for the Volvo Ocean Race. It doesn't come bigger and better than this.

I patiently waited for almost 18 months with little to no news on my progress only to say I made it into the top 5% of candidates. It's not just about being good at your job (photos, filming, writing), it's important that you can are motivated to work the toughest job on the planet (as it was described by VOR, and I can confirm it's far from easy). It' about being good with people, too. You need the right attitude.

Pretty much out of the blue it all unfolded. I had a call from Chris Nicholson mid July to see if I was interesting in joining his late entry team. I think I might have said "Of course" before he finished asking the question. I was one of four onboard reporters he was interviewing. One Skype call later, and interview complete. I had to wait four days for a reply. I got the reply: a thumbs up from the skipper.

The team was being selected. I had to keep it quiet; not easy at all. I had little time, in fact I recall having to sort my entire life out in six days before I was flying to Southampton to start work with Team Vestas Wind.

We had at least three weeks in Green Marine, Southampton. We put the boat together, started the gym programme (I was so far from being fit) and I began to get my head around the fact I was sailing around the world in the most extreme race there is with the best off-shore sailors you can find on this planet. I was too busy to stop and process it all. Not an overwhelming feeling my any means; I had a lot on and a lot to do.

We did some testing on the Solent and had a photo shoot with the helicopter and TV from Volvo. It was then on 31 August when we docked out for the last time in UK waters. VOR had set a minimum 2,000-mile qualifier for all teams. We sailed into Alicante on 8 September just in time for the cut-off window.

It was a nice change from rain to sun. We didn't have much time off, really; it was a case of getting ourselves and the boat ready for Leg 0, the trail test and practice for the race start. I had all my comms checks, onboard live feeds, etc. The 470-mile round trip from Alicante to Palma, Majorca took us under two days. It was fast and pretty damn hot below decks.

Now I'm sitting in the team base where this morning we took the boat out of the water for a mandatory period of 14 days. This time will be spent doing fleet-wide changes and tweaks. All the boats will have new generation cameras fitted also.

So for now I have a couple of days off. I plan on sleeping as much as I can. It will be later this week that I start prepping 24 days' worth of food and getting my camera cleaned and serviced. The race is coming around so fast. I wish I had more time.

Still looking for the time to process. I'm about to do the world's most extreme yacht race. It's still not sinking in. Maybe it's a good thing.

#sailing – I have been friends for a long number of years with Ireland's two top international sailors who set new speed records for sailing in the Round Britain and Ireland Race. 
I hear regularly from them and am proud to be in touch with them and, as much as I could, have publicised the progress of their careers over the years I have known them. I believe that giving coverage to successful achievements by Irish sailors at international level is good for the country and for the sport.

Damian Foxall from Kerry and Justin Slattery from Cork deserve to be household names as much as icons in other sports. But, like many sailors, they are not in my view, being given the level of coverage they deserve in the general national electronic and print media.

The progress of the Olympic Providence IRL team at overseas events should also be given more coverage. This week John Twomey from Kinsale YC and his crew have been competing at the world disabled sailing championships in Canada in the hopes of qualifying for his 11th consecutive Games, but this has got little coverage nationally.

Hurling, the Irish women's rugby team, the emergence of potential new stars in Irish athletics, all deserve strong reportage but do Irish sailors not deserve coverage also?

The media at sailing events when there are problems – the GP14 Worlds in Strangford Lough this month; Dun Laoghaire in 2007 are examples of a degree of sensationalised coverage which lacked balance. They were reported as "near disasters," but lacked the qualification that the majority of the sailors looked after themselves, as they are expected in sailing to be able to do. If you go out in a boat, I was told from my first days in sailing, you take the responsibility of getting yourself back in safely.

Sailing deserves better coverage in the national media. Is it being denied that by either ignorance or bias against sailing, or the seemingly ever-present perception of the sport as elitist?

There are sailing journalists who attempt to counterbalance the generally negative attitude towards the sport, but as I found myself when working within RTE, it is an uphill battle and, in an island nation, this is not fair to the sport.

Justin Slattery from Cork is Bowman and a leading member of the Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing's Volvo Ocean 65, Azzam, skippered by Britain's Ian Walker, which crossed the finish line of the 2014 Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race off the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes in an elapsed time of 4 days, 13 hours, 10 minutes, 28 seconds. This broke the previous world and race record for a monohull set by Volvo 70 Groupama, in 2010, by 1 day, 8 hours, 16 minutes and 27 seconds.

It was the second world speed record in sailing broken during the Round Britain and Ireland Race organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club and another Irishman was also involved in the first.

Record breaking Damian Foxall and Oman MOD 70

Ireland's Damian Foxall added the Round Britain and Ireland Speed record time to his impressive offshore sailing CV on board the Oman Sail MOD 70 catamaran. The crew of Musandam-Oman Sail, a MOD70 Trimaran crossed the finish line of the race at with an elapsed time of 3 days, 3 hours, 32 minutes, 36 seconds. This broke the previous world record for a multihull held by Banque Populaire 5 in 2011, by 16 minutes, 38 seconds.

"We hit a new top speed for the boat of 43 knots right at the start," said Damian, Co-skipper on the boat. "The hard thing about a race record, as opposed to a course record, is that with a course record you can wait until the weather is perfect and you just go. In a racing format you don't have that option. The only time we tacked in an 1800-mile circular course was after we had gone through the finish line!""

The MOD70 was skippered by Sidney Gavignet from France, one of the top sailors in the world and who is heading next for the tough Atlantic race, the single-handed Route du Rhum.

It was not all plain sailing for Abu Dhabi's Azzam. Two crew members were hurt during the race. Justin Slattery injured his ribs while trimmer Phil Harmer injured his hand.

And let's not forget the National Yacht Club duo that, despite very heavy weather and suffering major gear failure have persevered in the Round Britain and Ireland Race. The story of their sporting commitment deserves national coverage. Liam Coyne raced two-handed with Brian Flahive on their First 36.7, Lula Belle and they showed a level of spirit and determination that would bring pride to any sport when they won the two handed division.

NEW HELVICK LIFEBOAT

Helvick is a lovely spot on the South-East Coast. A fine little harbour, dominated by fishing boats, with a few dedicated leisure sailors also. I am not too sure about the location of visitor moorings outside the harbour, but at many parts around the coast those could be located in better, more sheltered spots. But that is beside the point of why I am writing about Helvick which is because it has got a new lifeboat through a strong contact with an English family. It is an Atlantic 85, built at a cost of €255,000. It has a number of improvements from the Atlantic 75, Helvick Head's former lifeboat, including a faster top speed of 35 knots; radar; provision for a fourth crew member and more space for survivors. It can operate safely in daylight in up to force 7 conditions and at night up to force 6. It also allows lifeboat crews to respond even faster in emergencies.

The new RNLB in Helvick and below the late Robert Armstrong after whom the new lifeboat, an Atlantic 85, is being launched in his name at Helvick Head lifeboat station

Its name is Robert Armstrong and it was funded by a legacy he left after his death in November of 2009. Born in 1936, he loved sailing, fishing and boats. His home was Blackheath but he had a holiday home in Potter Heigham on the Norfolk Broads, where he moored his own boat. There is a strong connection between the Armstrong family and Helvick. Robert Armstrong's aunt, Alice and her brother Charles, were the donors of Alice and Charles, Helvick Head RNLI's previous lifeboat and Robert had attended the naming ceremony there back in 2000 when he was given an RNLI jacket which he wore proudly.

CROW HEAD'S CABLE CAR

Paul O'Shea has written to me about an event at Crow Head:

"Hi Tom, I would like to promote an event on Crow Head on September 6. Lehanmore Community Coop want to replicate the first ever Cable Car crossing from there to the adjoining island. It will be a joint effort between Kerry Mountain Rescue and Castletownbere Coastguard Unit with the help of Castletownbere RNLI. All funds raised will be donated to KMRT."

HONOUR FOR JOHN TWOMEY

The decision to introduce a "President's Cup" event to honour John Twomey is well-deserved and recognises the achievements of Irish sailors, about which I have written earlier in this week's blog. Sailability Ireland, in conjunction with the ISA, has launched 'The Presidents Cup,' a new championship to encourage sailors with disabilities to compete in the classes sailed at Paralympic and international level.
'The Presidents Cup' has been named in honour of 10-time Paralympian and current President of the International Disabled Sailing Association, John Twomey from Kinsale Yacht Club. A team of 10 sailors from each of the four Irish provinces will compete in four different classes; the Hansa 303, SKUD 18, Squib and Sonar for this prestigious prize. Kinsale Yacht Club has kindly agreed to host this inaugural event which will be held on September 6 and 7. In 2013 the Club hosted the IFDS Disabled World Sailing Championships to incredible success and this event will form part of that legacy. Six races will be sailed and the team that has the best results in the four classes will be crowned champions. The event is being sponsored by Kingspan. A number of places are still available for both sailors with disabilities and volunteers who would like to participate in the championship. For more information Email: [email protected].

Sailability Ireland and the ISA are hoping that the event will encourage more sailors along the path to international competition. Supporting the availability of the sport to those with disabilities delivers on the commitment to sailing being a "sport for all". I remember the first time I reported on a disabled sailing event and how one lady competitor put me in my place when I asked her did she find it difficult to sail and she rightly responded: "Out on the water in a boat I am every bit as good as you!"

LOVE LIGHT AT A GREAT HEIGHT!

The tours of Ballycotton Lighthouse which began this Summer from the East Cork fishing village to the offshore island lighthouse have proved very popular, but now they are becoming a location for the lovelorn to commit their future!

A couple from Plymouth, Devon, became the first in history to announce their engagement at the top of the Llighthouse. During the scheduled noonday tour last Wednesday, 23-year-old Ryan Johnson proposed to 21-year-old Rebecca Daly on the lighthouse balcony and she accepted. They have a 5-month-old daughter, Lyra and were visiting friends in Ballycotton.

Happy couple back at ground level at Ballycotton lighthouse Ryan Johnson and Rebecca Daly on Ballycotton lighthouse

"Great to see romance is alive and well," said Derry Keogh, retired Ballycotton School Headmaster and local historian, who was the guide on their midday sailing trip to the island. "What a location to pop the question! When they heard about it, all the other tour visitors who were there gathered round and we sang 'Congratulations' - Phil Coulter maybe looking for royalties! This made it a double first for Ballycotton Island Lighthouse - the first ever sing song on the lookout tower!"

Since beginning in early July this year, the Ballycotton Island Lighthouse Tours have proved a great success with over 1,700 visitors hearing about the history of the lighthouse and seeing the view from the previously inaccessible lighthouse lantern balcony and island. This is an economic boost for the fishing village, both in profile and for local businesses.

VOLVO REPORTER

Irish sailing photographer and cameraman Brian Carlin has been appointed the Onboard Reporter with Team Vestas Wind for this year's Volvo Race. He has worked with the biggest names in the sailing world and on some of the biggest races.

Chris Nicholson, the four-time race veteran, who skippered Camper with Emirates Team New Zealand in the last edition of the race, will lead Team Vestas Wind, a campaign sponsored by Vestas, the Danish wind energy company. This is the seventh team in this year's Volvo round-the-world which begins with an In-Port Race on October 4 in Alicante, Spain.

SEAFOOD EFFICIENCY

And speaking about fishing and seafood which is increasing its attraction to consumers, retailers who sell fish are being urged to take part in a new scheme by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), the Irish Sea Fisheries Board, the State agency with responsibility for developing the sea fishing and aquaculture industries. This is the
"BIM Green Seafood Business Programme," aimed at assisting seafood businesses to reduce their environmental impact and save on energy costs. ""Making seafood processes more sustainable can improve a business 'bottom line' by reducing costs and enhancing their environmental reputation," says BIM.

In conjunction with Green Business and SEAI, BIM I are hosting a series of FREE, half-day seminars to assist Seafood Retailers. They will be held in Dublin on Tuesday, October 14 at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dublin Airport; and in Cork on Thursday October 16, at the Park Inn, Cork International Airport. Advance booking is required as places are limited. For more information and to book, contact Lorraine O'Byrne in BIM on 01 2144185 or email [email protected]

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @Tom MacSweeney, @AfloatMagazine

With Team Lazarus already having used their allocation of 7 sailors for the year and Andrew Fowler prioritizing preparation and qualification for the World Team Racing Championships, to be held in Shull next year, the door is open for John Sheehy and the Royal St George Yacht Club team to sneak through and take the Match Racing Tour title for a second year. A 5th place would leave the teams tied and with the last showdown between the two going to Lazarus the St George team -- rebadged Jodapama Racing for the nationals – need a 4th or better for Marty O'Leary to make it three in a row (Marty also crewed for Nicholas O'Leary in his 2008 championship win).

Shull team racing connections extend beyond the Lazarus absence.Darragh O'Connor is back on the main sheet with Jodapama, Billy Clarke takes to the bow for Casesy Elmes Racing and the boss man him self David Harty lines out for North Sails Ireland. Both Darragh and Billy where on the University of Limerick team that won and finished top Irish team at the IUSA team racing championships in 2009 and 2010. David should be an able stand in for John Downeys as the tours most vociferous questioner of umpiring decisions.

With the championships in Kinsale it's only right that there is a heavy KYC connection for many of the teams. Another graduate from the college ranks, UCD this time, Aiden McLaverty skippers Team ASM-Marine. Exile Same Hunt benefits from the contentious switch of Richie Murphy from Mad Match Racing. Together with Paddy Blaney and Peter Bayly to two make up a Gladiators team that looks extremely strong on paper. Last but not least George Kingston, John Curtan, Ben Scallan and Simon Rattigan take on the mantle of local heros.

5 point on the Tour and just 20 on ISAF ranking separate the final 2 teams. For North Sails Ireland Prof (who's brother Aiden makes up the final element of the Casey Elmes team) and Harty are joined by Barry and Teddy Byrne. Mad Match Racing field an all Howth Yacht Club line-up of Ben Duncan, Ric Morris, Joe Turner and Emmet Ryan.

The first round robin kicks off at 10am on Saturday under the able guidance of Alan Crosbie and chief umpire Mike O'Connor. With fresh weather forecast racing in the outer harbor should be hectic to say the least.

Racing during the day can be followed via the live feed on the matchracing.ie web site with coverage brought to you by Andy Deakin and Cube Images Brian Carlin.

By all accounts it looked like the right hand side of the course paid best dividends in yesterday's opening three rounds of the SB3 National Championships. Brian Carlin spoke to crews as they came ashore in Howth and below he talks with Brian Reilly and Sam Hunt of SB3 Boomsticks and how they won the last race of the day.