#fullirish – David Kenefick is in the running for the coveted 'Rookie of the Year Award' when the Generali Solo race concludes this weekend, here he talks (in the above eight minute podcast) about a successful debut in this month's Generali Solo race off the French coast. Chipping away at the fleet 'inch by inch' and 'mile by mile', the young Munster helmsman reflects on how hard it has been to crack the professional circuit, especially this series in a borrowed boat.
The offshore Generali fixture is a 1600–mile race broken into three stopovers, the equivalent of a 'Figaro' of the Mediterranean.
Despite many set backs (including lack of the local lingo) the 22-year-old Royal Cork sailor has literally put this latter part of the season together himself without any shore management and has been entirely responsible for rigging, derigging, logistics and safety compliance.
In what has been a baptism of fire, Kenefick was the youngest competitor in the Figaro, the Fastnet, the Solo Sab Delone, the Solo Concearneau, Solo Generali and Tour de Bretange. In 2013 he has sailed a total of 6000–7000 miles, inlcuding delivery trips, 90% of this has been single–handed.
After scoring 13, 10, 9 in 15 to 22 knots of wind in the Generali inshore races today, Kenefick has moved up the overall rankings by one place and now lies 12th, the next Rookie is 16th.
From this position the Cuskinny local has pulled himself into a situation where he stands a significant chance of winning tomorrow's 'Rookie of the Year' award, a major achievement.
Irish rookie David Kenefick (on port tack) is on target for an overall rookie award in the Generali Solo race this weekend. Photo: Alex Courcoux
