Ireland's first ever entry in the non–stop race around the world continues its Southern Ocean passage in the Vendee Globe Race.
After four weeks at sea, Enda O'Coineen (60) was passing the most remote Atlantic Island Tristan del Cuna on December 1st. O'Coineen admitted he is looking forward to leaving the South Atlantic in his wake and entering the Indian Ocean in a global voyage that will see him at sea until March.
O'Coineen opened a new chapter in Irish offshore sailing when he started the French race on November 6. His entry, he hopes, will bring a new wave of young Irish sailors into offshore sailing.
The Galway Bay adventurer is Ireland's first entry into the 'everest of sailing', the sports toughest marathon with a high attrition rate.
In his own words O'Coineen says 'to finish the 40,075 km race will be to win it'.
He qualified to race by virtue of his third place finish In 2015 when he made it to the podium of the St Barth-Port La Forêt transatlantic race on an IMOCA (he finished third)
D27 : Images from Enda O'Coineen / Vendée Globe by VendeeGlobeTV