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Displaying items by tag: Ackland

The sailors of Galway and from further afield will be gathering at the Harbour Hotel in Galway City this Wednesday (December 2nd) at 8.0pm to inaugurate a Trust Fund in memory of Steven Ackland (1973-2015), whose sudden death in Galway Docks on Thursday July 30th shocked and saddened his many friends.

These numerous friends were to be found both on the West Coast – where he ran the chandlery Galway Maritime in the heart of the city – and in Dun Laoghaire, where he was a popular participant in Dublin Bay SC events.

On both coasts, he was known to everyone as “Acky”, and his expertise in everything to do with boats and their equipment was highly regarded. Leading Galway sailor John Killeen of Volvo Ocean Race fame - a friend of Acky’s since he settled in Ireland from his original base on the River Hamble in the south of England – has been persuaded to delve into his many international sailing memories and his huge collection of nautical images to put together a night of fast-moving reminiscences to provide entertainment to match the many fond memories left behind by Steven Ackland.

Admission will be €10, and additional contributions towards the Stephen Ackland Memorial Trust Fund will of course be very welcome.

Published in Galway Harbour
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About the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is undoubtedly one of the greatest ocean adventures on the planet, also regarded as one of its toughest endurance challenges. Taking almost a year to complete, it consists of eleven teams competing against each other on the world’s largest matched fleet of 70-foot ocean racing yachts.

The Clipper Race was established in 1996 by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo, non-stop, around the world in 1968-69. His aim was to allow anyone, regardless of previous sailing experience, the chance to embrace the thrill of ocean racing; it is the only event of its kind for amateur sailors. Around 40 per cent of crew are novices and have never sailed before starting a comprehensive training programme ahead of their adventure.

This unique challenge brings together everyone from chief executives to train drivers, nurses and firefighters, farmers, airline pilots and students, from age 18 upwards, to take on Mother Nature’s toughest and most remote conditions. There is no upper age limit, the oldest competitor to date is 76.

Now in its twelfth edition, the Clipper 2019-20 Race started from London, UK, on 02 September 2019.