An Irish sailor will take on one of the biggest challenges of her offshore racing career when the Round Ireland Yacht Race starts from Wicklow this weekend. Twenty-three-year-old Róisín O'Halloran has been named navigator aboard the JPK 11.80 Sunrise, one of the leading contenders for overall honours in the 704-nautical-mile race around Ireland.
Sunrise, skippered by Fastnet Race winner Tom Kneen, is among the favourites for success in a fleet of more than 60 entries. The JPK 11.80 has established a formidable reputation on the international offshore circuit and arrives in Wicklow with high expectations.
For O'Halloran, the appointment marks another step forward in a sailing career that has steadily accumulated offshore miles and race experience. While she has built a growing reputation offshore, the navigator's role aboard a front-running campaign of Sunrise's calibre represents a significant new challenge.
Navigation in the Round Ireland Race demands constant attention to weather, tides, routing and strategy as crews negotiate some of the most demanding waters around the Irish coast, including Fastnet Rock, the Skelligs and the Atlantic seaboard. Sunrise is expected to feature prominently in the battle for overall honours when the fleet departs Wicklow Bay.
The race begins on Saturday and is organised by Wicklow Sailing Club.
