Galway Bay sailor Enda O'Coineen (60) took his place among 29 skippers from 10 countries gathered in the heart of Paris this week for the official Vendee Globe 2016 press conference. Media from around the world came to hear how preparations are coming along ahead of this epic, solo, non stop, unassisted sailing race around the world.
Speaking about the event, the Irish offshore skipper, who has been making preparations for the race at Dun Laoghaire Harbour marina this month said: "It's an honour to even be in a room with some of these guys, to think I'll be on the starting line on 6 November beside ocean racing superstars such as Alex Thomson is incredible. As I've always said, to finish is to win for me."
O'|Coineen earned the right to compete in the race by virtue of his performance in a transatlantic qualifying race last December, as Afloat.ie reported here at the time.
In any typical edition of the global race, up to 50% of the fleet retire with one difficulty or another which is why the race is dubbed the 'everest of sailing'.
This year's race features the next generation of boats that are equipped with foils to deliver faster times if they can survive the harsh conditions. In a recent race from New York, the attrition rate across the Atlantic to France was high. O'Coineen has an older generation craft but it is well tested and capable of completing the course.
O'Coineen is a former organiser of Irish round the world race entries; NCB Ireland, Green Dragon and Team Sanya as well as the two Volvo Ocean Race stop overs in Galway.
Enda will feature on RTE's Late Late Show tonight to discuss his motivations for taking part in the race and his own journey to the starting line. Tune in to RTE One at 21:30