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Displaying items by tag: Lisa Dilleen

#Rowing: Paul O’Donovan won his heat of the single sculls in an excellent time of seven minutes 7.8 seconds in glorious sunshine at Cork Regatta today. The Skibbereen man had 2.7 seconds to spare over heavyweight oarsman Ronan Byrne of UCC. Gary O’Donovan wont the previous heat in the third-fastest time, with Sam McKeown not far behind, setting the fourth fastest time overall.

Lisa Dilleen of Cork Boat Club was the fastest women’s single sculler in the heats, with Denise Walsh of Skibbereen second.

Published in Rowing

#Rowing: The fastest crew of the day at the Skibbereen head of the River at the Marina in Cork today was the UCC men’s senior eight. They covered the course in 10 minutes and four seconds, 12 seconds ahead of the Skibbereen senior eight.

 The Shandon/UCC senior quadruple also set a good time of 10 minutes and 17 seconds, while UCC’s men’s senior four took 10 minutes and 36 seconds.

 Shane O’Connell of UCD was the fastest single sculler and Ronan Byrne of UCC, an intermediate, also came in under 12 minutes for the slightly shortened course. Barry O’Flynn of Cork Boat Club was the fastest junior – he was timed at exactly 12 minutes.  

 Cork Boat Club’s women’s senior four were the fastest women’s crew, completing the course in 11 minutes 44 seconds. Lisa Dilleen, now competing for Boat Club, was the fastest women’s single sculler, taking just 13 minutes and five seconds. Georgia O’Brien of Kenmare was the fastest junior, in a good time of 13:51.  

                                                  Skibbereen HOR - November 2016      
Bow No: Club:Event:Crew:Start Time:Finish Time:Time:
       
  9:30am - Head 1    
       
       
1UCD BCMens Senior 1XS. O' Connell00:48:1100:59:5800:11:47
2ShandonMens Senior 1XA. Prendergast00:48:4701:00:5500:12:08
       
9UCC RCMens Intermediate 1XR. Byrne01:19:1301:31:1100:11:58
8ShandonMens Intermediate 1XD. Begley01:07:4501:19:5200:12:07
3Cork B.C. Mens Intermediate 1XF. O' Sullivan00:44:3100:57:2000:12:49
6ShandonMens Intermediate 1XC. Merz00:52:0101:04:5700:12:56
4UCC RCMens Intermediate 1XJ. Casey  DNS
5SkibbereenMens Intermediate 1XA. Burns  DNS
7Cork B.C. Mens Intermediate 1XR. Cudmore  DNS
10ShandonMens Intermediate 1XC. Hennessy  DNS
       
16LeeMens Club 1 1XD. Larkin00:50:1301:02:1500:12:02
11ShandonMens Club 1 1XS. Lonergan01:06:1201:18:2500:12:13
14LeeMens Club 1 1XD. Breen00:47:4101:00:1800:12:37
19ShandonMens Club 1 1XC. Cudden01:04:4301:17:3200:12:49
13WorkmansMens Club 1 1XM. O' Donoghue00:49:3301:02:4600:13:13
18LeeMens Club 1 1XC. O' Malley00:50:4301:04:0300:13:20
15Pres CorkMens Club 1 1XJ. O' Donovan  DNS
12Pres CorkMens Club 1 1XL. Guerin  DNS
17ShandonMens Club 1 1XG. Morrison  DNS
       
22ShandonMens Masters 1XH. Merz00:53:4501:06:3500:12:50
25Cork B.C.Mens Masters 1XB. Crean00:52:3801:05:4500:13:07
24ShandonMens Masters 1XN. Carey01:05:0001:18:2600:13:26
26ShandonMens Masters 1XJ. O' Neill01:04:1001:17:3600:13:26
21CahirMens Masters 1XD. Heffernan00:51:1701:04:4400:13:27
20SkibbereenMens Masters 1XJ. Whooley  DNS
23Lee ValleyMens Masters 1XT. Corcoran  DNS
       
27Cork B.C.Mens J18A 1XB. O'Flynn00:56:4701:08:4700:12:00
33SkibbereenMens J18A 1XK. Mannix01:01:3701:13:4500:12:08
38ShandonMens J18A 1XS. O' Sullivan01:08:1901:20:2800:12:09
30Cork B.C.Mens J18A 1XE. Curtin00:57:2301:09:4000:12:17
28LeeMens J18A 1XE. Larkin00:58:3701:10:5700:12:20
36Lee ValleyMens J18A 1XC. Cummins01:02:1401:14:3900:12:25
34Cork B.C.Mens J18A 1XC. O' Sullivan01:05:3501:18:0600:12:31
39Pres CorkMens J18A 1XD. Higgins01:01:0101:13:3500:12:34
35Cork B.C.Mens J18A 1XC. O' Callaghan01:00:2401:13:3800:13:14
32Cork B.C.Mens J18A 1XC. Corkery01:03:3301:16:5000:13:17
29MuckrossMens J18A 1XS. Fleming00:57:5801:11:1800:13:20
40ShandonMens J18A 1XH. Moran01:09:1701:23:4800:14:31
37Pres CorkMens J18A 1XA. Guerin00:55:5301:11:1200:15:19
31LeeMens J18A 1XL. Filan  DNS
       
49LeeMens J16 1XT. Murphy00:54:2101:06:5900:12:38
42LeeMens J16 1XM. O' Hara00:55:0801:07:5000:12:42
48ShandonMens J16 1XE. Gaffney01:09:5101:22:3500:12:44
50ShandonMens J16 1XA. Byrne01:18:1501:31:0300:12:48
53ShandonMens J16 1XW. Ronayne01:17:3201:30:2500:12:53
45ShandonMens J16 1XS. O' Neill01:15:0601:28:0300:12:57
52ShandonMens J16 1XJ. Arrigan01:14:1101:27:2500:13:14
43WorkmansMens J16 1XR. Mac Curtain00:59:1501:12:2900:13:14
47WorkmansMens J16 1XJ. Kunicki00:59:5301:13:1300:13:20
51MuckrossMens J16 1XC. Joy01:03:0001:16:5000:13:50
44SkibbereenMens J16 1XC. Smyth01:06:5501:21:1900:14:24
41ShandonMens J16 1XL. Hayes-Nally  DNS
46LeeMens J16 1XT. Donlon  DNS
       
55Cork B.C.Womens Senior 2-Cork B01:15:2801:28:1700:12:49
54Cork B.C.Womens Senior 2-Cork A  DNS
       
56UCC RCWomens Club 1 2-UCC RC01:16:0901:29:4400:13:35
57LeeWomens Club 1 2-Lee02:16:5402:31:1300:14:19
       
58FermoyWomens J18A 2-Fermoy01:28:5001:42:1400:13:24
60ShandonWomens J18A 2-Shandon01:13:1701:27:0400:13:47
59CorkWomens J18A 2-Cork01:11:4301:25:4800:14:05
       
       
  10:45am - Head 2    
       
61SkibbereenMens Senior 4+Skibbereen01:55:1802:06:5400:11:36
       
62UCC RCMens Senior 4-UCC B01:56:2102:06:5700:10:36
66Cork BC/UCC RCMens Senior 4-Cork/UCC02:09:1002:20:0200:10:52
65SkibbereenMens Senior 4-Skibbereen01:44:3501:55:5600:11:21
63CBC/UCCMens Senior 4-CBC/UCC02:10:5302:22:5700:12:04
64UCC RCMens Senior 4-UCC A  DNS
       
67Pres CorkMens Club 1 4+Pres Cork01:51:5002:03:4500:11:55
68LeeMens Club 1 4+Lee02:10:0802:22:3700:12:29
       
69MuckrossMens Masters 4+Muckross02:15:4802:28:3200:12:44
       
70Pres CorkMens J18A 4+Pres Cork01:54:4102:07:1100:12:30
       
71Pres CorkMens J16 4+Pres Cork02:08:4002:21:2300:12:43
72LeeMens J16 4+Lee  DNS
       
73Skibbereen/UCC RCWomens Senior 8+Skibb/UCC03:25:5203:36:5100:10:59
       
74SkibbereenWomens Intermediate 8+Skibb B02:23:2502:35:2200:11:57
75Skibbereen Womens Intermediate 8+Skibb A  DNS
       
76FermoyWomens Intermediate 2XFermoy01:45:4302:00:1300:14:30
       
78UCC RCWomens Club 1 8+UCC B02:26:1402:37:5500:11:41
77Cork B.C.Womens Club 1 8+Cork A02:03:1202:15:5100:12:39
79Cork B.C.Womens Club 1 8+Cork B  DNS
80UCC RCWomens Club 1 8+UCC A  DNS
       
81ShandonWomens Club 1 2XShandon02:12:0202:26:5400:14:52
       
82CahirWomens Novice 2XCahir01:49:3802:06:0300:16:25
       
83Cork B.C.Womens J18A 8+Cork02:14:2402:27:0400:12:40
       
85LeeWomens J18A 2XLee01:57:3902:10:2000:12:41
87WorkmansWomens J18A 2XWorkmans02:05:5602:18:5600:13:00
84ShandonWomens J18A 2XShandon A02:04:5402:18:2100:13:27
88FermoyWomens J18A 2XFermoy03:13:3703:27:1300:13:36
86ShandonWomens J18A 2XShandon B02:12:4902:26:5300:14:04
89CappoquinWomens J18A 2XCappoquin02:01:2102:15:3800:14:17
90MuckrossWomens J18A 2XMuckross  DNS
       
91WorkmansWomens J16 2XWorkmans02:06:4302:19:4900:13:06
92MuckrossWomens J16 2XMuckross02:07:3202:23:0100:15:29
       
       
  12:00 - Head 3    
       
198Shandon/UCC RCMens Senior 4X-Shandon/UCC03:30:1103:40:2800:10:17
93Skibbereen/UCC RCMens Senior 4X-Skibb/UCC03:09:2803:19:5000:10:22
       
95ShandonMens Intermediate 4X-Shandon03:29:2103:39:4500:10:24
       
197LeeMens Club 1 4X+Lee03:12:5903:24:5100:11:52
96MuckrossMens Club 1 4X+Muckross  DNS
       
97Cork B.C.Mens J18A 4X-Cork A03:09:5903:20:3000:10:31
101ShandonMens J18A 4X-Shandon03:37:3103:48:2300:10:52
102LeeMens J18A 4X-Lee03:11:2003:22:2400:11:04
99Cork B.C.Mens J18A 4X-Cork B03:10:2903:21:4000:11:11
100WorkmansMens J18A 4X-Workmans03:32:1103:43:2500:11:14
98MuckrossMens J18A 4X-Muckross03:30:4803:42:5400:12:06
       
105Shandon Mens J16 4X+Shandon A03:38:2103:49:5900:11:38
106WorkmansMens J16 4X+Workmans03:31:4803:44:0800:12:20
107ShandonMens J16 4X+Shandon B03:40:0803:52:2800:12:20
103SkibbereenMens J16 4X+Skibbereen03:41:2303:53:4600:12:23
104CappoquinMens J16 4X+Cappoquin03:31:1803:44:1300:12:55
       
111Cork B.C.Womens Senior 1XL. Dilleen03:15:4403:28:4900:13:05
110SkibbereenWomens Senior 1XS. Dolan03:14:5803:28:4400:13:46
109MuckrossWomens Senior 1XD. Casey03:55:3504:10:2200:14:47
108SkibbereenWomens Senior 1XO. Hayes  DNS
       
113ShandonWomens Intermediate 1XR. Phelan03:57:5104:13:1100:15:20
112FermoyWomens Intermediate 1XS. Bouanane  DNS
       
114UCC RCWomens Club 1 1XD. O' Sullivan03:46:4504:00:5700:14:12
117Lee ValleyWomens Club 1 1XE. O' Mahony03:16:5603:31:0800:14:12
116Shandon Womens Club 1 1XF. Richardson03:17:3603:34:1800:16:42
115CappoquinWomens Club 1 1XA. Foley03:16:3503:33:1800:16:43
118ShandonWomens Club 1 1XA. Buckley  DNS
       
120CappoquinWomens Novice 1XE. Lehane03:27:0603:44:0400:16:58
119CahirWomens Novice 1XJ. O' Donnell03:25:3603:43:5700:18:21
       
129KenmareWomens J18A 1XG. O' Brien03:17:4903:31:4000:13:51
123FermoyWomens J18A 1XA. O' Sullivan03:18:2203:32:1800:13:56
126WorkmansWomens J18A 1XS. Burns03:51:4204:05:3900:13:57
130LeeWomens J18A 1XC. Synott03:21:2903:35:4300:14:14
121Cork B.C.Womens J18A 1XA. Rice03:24:3503:39:0600:14:31
127Cork B.C.Womens J18A 1XA. Higgins03:22:5603:37:3200:14:36
128Lee ValleyWomens J18A 1XE. Buckley03:18:5903:33:3700:14:38
124Cork B.C.Womens J18A 1XC. McCarthy03:22:2903:37:4400:15:15
125MuckrossWomens J18A 1XA. Farrell03:24:0403:39:4200:15:38
122MuckrossWomens J18A 1XC. Ferris03:23:2603:39:5200:16:26
       
131KenmareWomens J16 1XE. Crowley03:21:0103:35:2200:14:21
133LeeWomens J16 1XA. Cummins03:20:0003:34:2200:14:22
135Lee ValleyWomens J16 1XC. Cummins03:20:3303:35:1500:14:42
137Cork B.C.Womens J16 1XC. O' Sullivan03:25:0103:39:4600:14:45
136Cork B.C.Womens J16 1XJ. Duggan03:21:5403:37:0000:15:06
134Cork B.C.Womens J16 1XH. Gahan03:28:0003:43:4800:15:48
132Lee ValleyWomens J16 1XS. Neary  DNS
122MuckrossWomens J16 1XC. Ferris  DNS
       
  1:30pm - Head 4    
       
139UCC RCMens Senior 8+UCC04:43:3604:53:4000:10:04
140SkibbereenMens Senior 8+Skibb04:48:1604:58:3200:10:16
138Cork B.C./UCC RCMens Senior 8+Cork/UCC04:50:1305:00:3000:10:17
       
143Skibbereen Mens Senior 2XSkibb A05:03:2405:14:3600:11:12
144UCC RCMens Senior 2XUCC04:54:2205:05:3600:11:14
142Shandon/UCC RCMens Senior 2XShandon/UCC05:09:5505:21:1900:11:24
141Cork B.C./Pres CorkMens Senior 2XCork/Pres04:53:4605:06:3000:12:44
146SkibbereenMens Senior 2XSkibb B  DNS
147Cork B.C.Mens Senior 2XCork B.C.  DNS
       
148ShandonMens Intermediate 2XShandon04:55:0105:06:1000:11:09
       
149ShandonMens Club 1 2XShandon04:55:5505:07:2300:11:28
       
151ShandonMens Masters 8+Shandon04:52:4305:03:2900:10:46
150FermoyMens Masters 8+Fermoy04:44:4704:56:0000:11:13
       
157WorkmansMens J18A 2XWorkmans05:03:4805:15:4300:11:55
156Cork B.C.Mens J18A 2XCork B.C.05:45:3905:57:4000:12:01
153ShandonMens J18A 2XShandon04:57:5705:10:3600:12:39
154MuckrossMens J18A 2XMuckross A04:56:1905:09:2400:13:05
159CahirMens J18A 2XCahir04:57:2705:10:5900:13:32
155Pres CorkMens J18A 2XPres Cork B05:00:1305:14:4500:14:32
152Muckross Mens J18A 2XMuckross B  DNS
158Pres CorkMens J18A 2XPres Cork A  DNS
       
162Pres Cork AMens J16 8+Pres Cork A04:45:4204:57:0800:11:26
160Pres CorkMens J16 8+Pres Cork B04:46:3904:59:5700:13:18
161LeeMens J16 8+Lee03:05:1703:19:1200:13:55
       
163Shandon Mens J16 2XShandon B04:58:2505:10:0600:11:41
166WorkmansMens J16 2XWorkmans05:00:4205:12:5500:12:13
167LeeMens J16 2XLee04:55:3005:08:0600:12:36
165Shandon Mens J16 2XShandon A04:59:4305:12:3200:12:49
164MuckrossMens J16 2XMuckross04:56:5605:09:4600:12:50
168SkibbereenMens J16 2XSkibbereen05:05:2105:19:2700:14:06
       
172Cork B.C.Womens Senior 4-Cork B.C.05:01:0805:12:5200:11:44
173Skibbereen/UCC RCWomens Senior 4-Skibb/UCC05:15:5005:27:4700:11:57
171SkibbereenWomens Senior 4-Skibbereen B01:11:0201:23:1700:12:15
169SkibbereenWomens Senior 4-Skibbereen A01:12:2201:25:0200:12:40
170MuckrossWomens Senior 4-Muckross05:06:1305:19:1600:13:03
       
174FermoyWomens Intermediate 4+Fermoy05:02:1305:15:4200:13:29
       
176UCC RCWomens Club 1 4+UCC05:02:4605:15:4400:12:58
175LeeWomens Club 1 4+Lee 05:04:3205:17:4100:13:09
       
       
       
  3:00pm - Head 5    
       
       
       
177SkibbereenMens Senior 2-Skibb A  DNS
178SkibbereenMens Senior 2-Skibb B  DNS
       
179Pres CorkMens Club 1 2-Pres Cork04:13:5504:25:5500:12:00
       
180Pres CorkMens J18A 2-Pres Cork06:13:1806:25:3300:12:15
       
181SkibbereenWomens Senior 4X-Skibb A  DNS
182SkibbereenWomens Senior 4X-Skibb B  DNS
       
183ShandonWomens Club 1 4X+Shandon06:14:1806:27:2800:13:10
       
184Cork B.C.Womens J18A 4X-Cork A06:16:5506:29:0400:12:09
187ShandonWomens J18A 4X-Shandon06:15:3306:27:4900:12:16
186Cork B.C.Womens J18A 4X-Cork B06:18:4906:31:0600:12:17
185LeeWomens J18A 4X-Lee06:14:5406:28:1800:13:24
188SkibbereenWomens J18A 4X-Skibbereen  DNS
       
191SkibbereenWomens J16 4X+Skibb B06:20:1906:33:5200:13:33
190CorkWomens J16 4X+Cork06:22:5106:36:3000:13:39
189SkibbereenWomens J16 4X+Skibb A06:19:3406:33:3200:13:58
       
194WorkmansWomens J16 4X+Workmans06:18:0506:30:1600:12:11
193Skibbereen Womens J16 4X+Skibb (os)04:29:2004:43:2500:14:05
Published in Rowing

#ROWING: Ireland’s Lisa Dilleen and Leonora Kennedy finished second in the B Final of the women’s pair at the World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam today, placing them eighth overall. Russia’s Liana Gorgodze and Elizaveta Tikhanova, the second slowest of the crews in the semi-finals, took this race by storm. They led all the way down the course despite constant attempts to head them by Ireland, the one crew which mounted a consistent challenge.

World Rowing Championships, Day Seven (Irish interest, selected results)

Women

Pair – B Final (Places 7 to 13): 1 Russia (L Gorgodze, E Tikhanova) 7:06.08, 2 Ireland (L Kennedy, L Dilleen) 7:09.20, 3 Serbia 7:10.61, 4 Canada 7:12.15, 5 Ukraine 7:18.40, 6 Czech Republic 7:19.72.

Published in Rowing

#ROWING: Leonora Kennedy and Lisa Dilleen won on their first outing as a pair at an international regatta this morning. The newly-formed Ireland combination came home ahead of a field of Italian crews at the Memorial Paolo d’Aloja in Piediluco in Italy. Single sculler Sanita Puspure and the Ireland double of Eimear Moran and Monika Dukarska had earlier finished second and third respectively in their finals.

Published in Rowing

#ROWING: The newly-formed women’s pair of Lisa Dilleen and Leonora Kennedy were outstanding in racing on the final day of the Ireland Trials at the National Rowing Centre. Their percentage of projected World Championship gold medal winning time was an excellent 88.25. The new lightweight men’s pair of Mark O’Donovan and Niall Kenny and single scullers Paul O’Donovan and Sanita Puspure also breached 87 per cent. All these crews are set to represent Ireland this year.

On Saturday, in the Home International Trials, Eimantas Grigalius, the former world junior champion for Lithuania who now lives in Ireland, topped the rankings in the single sculls.

Ireland Trials, National Rowing Centre, Cork

Saturday (Home International Trials)

Men

Pair – Senior: 1 Buckley/Coughlan 7:52.57 (74.06), 2 Rawlinson/Brett 7:53.86 (73.86), 3 Deere/Corcoran 7:57.32 (73.33).

Lightweight Pair: Keene/Breen 7:48.69 (74.68), 2 Murphy/McKenna 7:49.77 (74.5)

Junior Pair: 1 Browne/O’Connor 7:54.10 (73.82), 2 Higgins/Higgins 7:55.62 (73.59), 3 Coyne/McCarthy 7:57.33 (73.32).

Single Sculls – Senior: 1 E Grigalius 7:51.56 (78.46), 2 D Neale 7:59.09 (77.23), 3 S McKeown 8:04.84 (76.31).

Lightweight Single Sculls – Senior: N Duncan 8:21.96 (75.70), 2 C Murphy 8:41.5 (72.78), 3 S Toland 8:49.20 (71.81)

Junior Single Scull: 1 D Synott 8:04.76 (76.33), 2 S Dennehy 8:11.55 (75.27), 3 S O’Sullivan 8:12.87 (75.07).

Women

Pair - Senior: 1 Lonergan/Ryan 8:47.30 (73.58), 2 O’Brien/McCarthy 8:48.73 (73.38), 3 Bracken/Kelly 8:59.77 (71.88).

Lightweight Pair – Senior: 1 Leahy/Crowe 8:36.85 (77.78), 2 Wickham/Judge 8:51.01 (75.70).

Junior Pair: Connor/Hickey 8:44.08 (74.03), 2 Davis/O’Dwyer 8:51.97 (72.94), 3 O’Keeffe/Nagle 8:55.28 (72.49).

Lightweight Single Sculls – Senior: 1 E Desmond 9:18.30 (74.87), 2 O Holden 9:40.27 (72.04), 3 A Bulman 9:43.64 (71.62).

Junior Single Scull: 1 A Rodger 9:03.29 (73.99), 2 S Murphy 9:03.99 (73.9), 3 M McLaughlin 9:05.29 (73.72).

Sunday

(Per Centages Based On Senior Times)

Race One: 1 B Keohane, D Keohane (junior pair) 7:34.12 (81.04), 2 P O’Donovan (lightweight single, under-23) 7:37.78 (87.38), 3 L Kennedy, L Dilleen (women’s senior pair) 7:40.89 (88.25), 4 O Hayes, C Jennings (women’s lightweight double) 7:51.38 (85.71).

Race Two: 1 S Dolan (women’s lightweight single) 8:50.00 (83.02), S Horgan (women’s lightweight single, under-23) 8:51.63 (82.76), 3 E Barry (jun women’s single) 8:52.99 (79.74), 4 E Hegarty (jun women’s single) 9:06.59 (77.75)

Race Three: 1 J Ryan (lightweight single) 7:53.65 (84.45), 2 Women’s Junior Double (J English, E Lambe) 8:02.67 (81.63), 3 S Puspure (women’s single) 8:05.73 (87.5), 4 Women’s Junior Double (O’Keeffe) 8:16.75 (79.32).

Race Four: 1 Lightweight Pair (M O’Donovan, N Kenny) 7:15.87 (87.18), 2 Women’s Four (M O’Neill, E Tormey, B O’Brien, A Keogh) 7:31.87 (84.09), 3 D Neale (men’s single) 7:56.54 (81.84), 4 J Keohane (men’s single) 7:59.85 (81.28).

Race Five: 1 Men’s Double (S McKeown, D Quinlan) 7:12.90 (82.93), 2 Men’s Double (Oliver) 7:17.73 (82.01), 3 Men’s Pair (R O’Callaghan, R Bennett) 7:28.26 (82.10), 4 Men’s Pair (K Neville, M Pukelis) 7:31.51 (81.5).

Race Six: 1 Junior Quadruple (Begley) 6:58.49 (79.09), 2 Lightweight Double (C Beck) 7:11.04 (84.91), 3 Junior Double (D O’Malley, C Carmody) 7:12.49 (83.01), 4 Junior Double (Mulvaney) 7:19.14 (81.75).

Race Seven (Pararowing Crews, 1,000m): 1 LTA1x (O’Hara) 2:09.42 (77.27), 2 TA1x (O’Brien) 2:45.40 (81.62), 3 AS1x (O’Doherty) 2:48.06 (81.82), 4 AS1x (Kelly) 3:09.52 (72.55).

Published in Rowing
Five crews have entered for the World Rowing Championships which takes place in Bled, Slovenia next week.

Two womens' boats will compete for Olympic qualification, another is seeking Paralympics qualification and two boats are entered in non-Olympic world championship events.

The boats with ambition for Olympic qualification are the lightweight double scull of Claire Lambe and Siobhan McCrohan and the openweight women's double scull of Sanita Puspure and Lisa Dilleen.

With lightweight double sculls being the only boat class for lightweight women, the entry of 26 boats will generate intense competition for the eight Olympic places on offer this year. Lambe and McCrohan, who came fourth at last year's European championships, will be competitive for one of these Olympic places, but it will be very tight with any mistakes or errors making a dramatic difference in final results.

Similarly the openweight women's double scull has eight Olympic places on offer with 19 entries. The newly formed double scull is a partnership between Dilleen, a 20 year old from Galway, who came fourth in the World Junior Rowing Championships two years ago; and Sanita Puspure, a recently naturalised Irish citizen from Latvia. In 2003, Puspure was a bronze medallist for Latvia at under 23 level. The Irish pair  finished fifth at the first World Cup earlier this summer in Munich, followed by an eleventh place in Lucerne.

For the first time, Ireland has a boat attempting qualification for next year's London  Paralympic games in the form of a mixed coxed four crew in the legs, trunk, and arms (LTA) category. There are 16 entries with 8 qualifying. Ireland's boat finished fifth at the 2010 World Rowing Championships, and whilst the number of entrants has increased this year, the crew have a good chance of making the first eight to qualify.

Performance director Martin McElroy, an Olympic gold medal winning coach with the British team at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, said today, "Only our adaptive athletes went to the 2010 World Rowing championships. For all the others competing, it's a first time experience, and in an Olympic qualification year that's a big ask."

"When I started in my role as performance director in 2009, I knew we were missing a generation of athletes.  A look at the age demographic of our team confirms that. However I am very pleased that we have a young ambitious group of athletes who are willing to take it on and it is not beyond the bounds of possibility that one or more of the boats may qualify. It's a big ask but it's not impossible. Added to that, we have a Paralympic boat seeking qualification for the first time"

The men's lightweight quadruple scull contains the same line-up that won a silver medal at the 2010 World Under-23 Rowing Championships. A strategic decision was taken to favour the non-Olympic boat class for these young athletes in order to continue their international development.

Performance director, Martin McElroy explained, "The choice was to risk immersing these young athletes in the cauldron of Olympic lightweight class boats which are amongst the most competitive classes in the Olympic regatta and create a very negative experience early in their careers, or take a more measured approach to their development and transition to the senior level through the non-Olympic boat classes."

"It was clear to us that we did not have a boat that would be close to qualification at this time and we discussed this openly with the squad. With 34 entries and only 11 to qualify, I'm satisfied that we've taken the right decision. These young athletes can compete positively in the quadruple scull event and continue taking the steps necessary to transition successfully from under 23 to senior."

Sarah Dolan a 21-year old Trinity college engineering student races in the women's lightweight single scull, an event with 22 entries.


Published in Rowing

About The Middle Sea Race

The Rolex Middle Sea Race is a highly rated offshore classic, often mentioned in the same breath as the Rolex Fastnet, The Rolex Sydney–Hobart and Newport-Bermuda as a 'must do' race. The Royal Malta Yacht Club and the Royal Ocean Racing Club co-founded the race in 1968 and 2007 was the 28th Edition. Save for a break between 1984 and 1995 the event has been run annually attracting 25–30 yachts. In recent years, the number of entries has rissen sharply to 68 boats thanks to a new Organising Committee who managed to bring Rolex on board as title sponsor for the Middle Sea Race.

The race is a true challenge to skippers and crews who have to be at their very best to cope with the often changeable and demanding conditions. Equally, the race is blessed with unsurpassed scenery with its course, taking competitors close to a number of islands, which form marks of the course. Ted Turner described the MSR as "the most beautiful race course in the world".

Apart from Turner, famous competitors have included Eric Tabarly, Cino Ricci, Herbert von Karajan, Jim Dolan, Sir Chay Blyth and Sir Francis Chichester (fresh from his round the world adventure). High profile boats from the world's top designers take part, most in pursuit of line honours and the record – competing yachts include the extreme Open 60s, Riviera di Rimini and Shining; the maxis, Mistress Quickly, Zephyrus IV and Sagamore; and the pocket rockets such as the 41-foot J-125 Strait Dealer and the DK46, Fidessa Fastwave.

In 2006, Mike Sanderson and Seb Josse on board ABN Amro, winner of the Volvo Ocean Race, the super Maxis; Alfa Romeo and Maximus and the 2006 Rolex Middle Sea Race overall winner, Hasso Platner on board his MaxZ86, Morning Glory.

George David on board Rambler (ex-Alfa Romeo) managed a new course record in 2007 and in 2008, Thierry Bouchard on Spirit of Ad Hoc won the Rolex Middle Sea Race on board a Beneteau 40.7

The largest number of entries was 78 established in 2008.

Middle Sea Race History

IN THE BEGINNING

The Middle Sea Race was conceived as the result of sporting rivalry between great friends, Paul and John Ripard and an Englishman residing in Malta called Jimmy White, all members of the Royal Malta Yacht Club. In the early fifties, it was mainly British servicemen stationed in Malta who competitively raced. Even the boats had a military connection, since they were old German training boats captured by the British during the war. At the time, the RMYC only had a few Maltese members, amongst who were Paul and John Ripard.

So it was in the early sixties that Paul and Jimmy, together with a mutual friend, Alan Green (later to become the Race Director of the Royal Ocean Racing Club), set out to map a course designed to offer an exciting race in different conditions to those prevailing in Maltese coastal waters. They also decided the course would be slightly longer than the RORC's longest race, the Fastnet. The resulting course is the same as used today.

Ted Turner, CEO of Turner Communications (CNN) has written that the Middle Sea Race "must be the most beautiful race course in the world. What other event has an active volcano as a mark of the course?"

In all of its editions since it was first run in 1968 – won by Paul Ripard's brother John, the Rolex Middle Sea Race has attracted many prestigious names in yachting. Some of these have gone on to greater things in life and have actually left their imprint on the world at large. Amongst these one finds the late Raul Gardini who won line honours in 1979 on Rumegal, and who spearheaded the 1992 Italian Challenge for the America's Cup with Moro di Venezia.

Another former line honours winner (1971) who has passed away since was Frenchman Eric Tabarly winner of round the world and transatlantic races on Penduik. Before his death, he was in Malta again for the novel Around Europe Open UAP Race involving monohulls, catamarans and trimarans. The guest list for the Middle Sea Race has included VIP's of the likes of Sir Francis Chichester, who in 1966 was the first man to sail around the world single-handedly, making only one stop.

The list of top yachting names includes many Italians. It is, after all a premier race around their largest island. These include Navy Admiral Tino Straulino, Olympic gold medallist in the star class and Cino Ricci, well known yachting TV commentator. And it is also an Italian who in 1999 finally beat the course record set by Mistress Quickly in 1978. Top racing skipper Andrea Scarabelli beat it so resoundingly, he knocked off over six hours from the time that had stood unbeaten for 20 years.

World famous round the world race winners with a Middle Sea Race connection include yachting journalist Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Les Williams, both from the UK.

The Maxi Class has long had a long and loving relationship with the Middle Sea Race. Right from the early days personalities such as Germany's Herbert Von Karajan, famous orchestra conductor and artistic director of the Berliner Philarmoniker, competing with his maxi Helisara IV. Later came Marvin Greene Jr, CEO of Reeves Communications Corporation and owner of the well known Nirvana (line honours in 1982) and Jim Dolan, CEO of Cablevision, whose Sagamore was back in 1999 to try and emulate the line honours she won in 1997.

THE COURSE RECORD

The course record was held by the San Francisco based, Robert McNeil on board his Maxi Turbo Sled Zephyrus IV when in 2000, he smashed the Course record which now stands at 64 hrs 49 mins 57 secs. Zephyrus IV is a Rechiel-Pugh design. In recent years, various maxis such as Alfa Romeo, Nokia, Maximus and Morning Glory have all tried to break this course record, but the wind Gods have never played along. Even the VOR winner, ABN AMro tried, but all failed in 2006.

However, George David came along on board Rambler in 2007 and demolished the course record established by Zephyrus IV in 2000. This now stands at 1 day, 23 hours, 55 minutes and 3 seconds.

At A Glance - Middle Sea Race 2024

First held: 1968

Organising Authority: Royal Malta Yacht Club

Start

The 45th Rolex Middle Sea Race will start on Saturday, 19 October 2024.

Grand Harbour, Valletta: seven separate starts, at 10-minute intervals, from 11:00 CEST Saturday, 21 October 2024

Start Line: between the Saluting Battery, Upper Barrakka Gardens (Valletta) and Fort St Angelo (Birgu)

Various vantage points all around the Grand Harbour, high up on the bastions or at water level. Harbour access for spectator boats is restricted during the period of the start.

Course

Set in the heart of the Mediterranean and is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. It starts and finishes in Malta, passes two active volcanoes and takes in the deep azure waters surrounding Sicily, and the Aeolian and Egadi Islands, as well as lonelier outposts of Pantelleria and Lampedusa, both closer to the African continent than Europe.

Length: 606 nautical miles (1,122km)

Outright Race Record: 33h 29m 28s, Argo, United States, Jason Carroll

Monohull Race Record: 40h 17m 50s, Comanche, Cayman Is, Mitch Booth

Main Trophies

Rolex Middle Sea Race Trophy – overall race winner under IRC Time Correction

Boccale de Mediterraneo – winner of ORC category

RLR Trophy – winner of monohull line honours

Captain Morgan Trophy – winner of multihull division on corrected time (MOCRA)

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