Rosslare Europort is to sponsor the largest challenger in the Round Ireland Yacht Race, an Open 60 that will have a good chance of taking line honours. The boat, chartered by a team of Dun Laoghaire sailors headed up by Alan McGettigan, will be fully crewed for the race with six sailors aboard, with solo sailor Steve White as skipper and will be assisted by former Figaro competitor Paul O'Riain.
The sixty-footer was designed to compete in the Vendée Globe solo nonstop around the world race. The boat has already done three solo round the world races since it was launched in 1998. Two of these occasions were Vendée Globe races when it was sailed by one person who spent three months alone in what is referred to as “The Everest of Sailing”, the toughest and longest event in any sport.
The Spirit of Rosslare Europort and her current crew are finishing preparations. The boat will be skippered by Steve White, who is a well recognised round the world sailor having come 8th in the last Vendée Globe Race, when only 11 out of 30 finished the 26,000 mile course.
Dublin based professional sailor Paul Ó Riain will be assisting Steve. Paul has competed in the Round Ireland Yacht Race twice as well as competing on the single handed Figaro circuit in France and crossing the Atlantic twice. Paul and Steve will be joined by four Dun Laoghaire based amateur sailors: Alan McGettigan, Peter O’Malley, Morgan Crowe and Declan Hayes.
The boat will be the only competitor in the Super Zero Class this year, and with the right weather conditions should come home the easy winner across the line.
More details to follow on the campaign's Facebook Page.
