#ROUND IRELAND RACE – Adrian Lee's Cookson 50 in the big boat division of this year's Round Ireland race along with Sir Geoffrey Mulcahy's, Noonmark VI, a Swan 56 with a top crew, are just two of 25 entries received so far for Ireland's top offshore fixture that starts in six weeks time.

Billed by the hosts as one of Europe's major yacht racing events next month's Round Ireland Yacht Race 2012, which starts in Wicklow Harbour on 24th June, is being held for the 17th time since the biennial, non-stop, 704–mile circumnavigation of this island started in 1980.

Twenty five starters, to-date, have confirmed entry with anticipation high for further additions before the closing date for entries on the 8th June.

The Round Ireland Yacht Race is run under the auspices of the Royal Ocean Racing Club, the largest yacht racing organisation in the world. The RORC include the Round Ireland Yacht Race as one of the premier challenges in their calendar of seventeen international races this year.

In the class 1 entries, one to watch will be Piet Vroon, in Tonnerre de Breskens 3 from Holland, who has dominated the RORC racing calendar from Fastnet to the Caribbean and is making a welcome return to Wicklow Sailing Club. Round Ireland also welcomes Dan Walsh, from the USA, together with six of his fellow sailors from the American Yacht Club of New York, who have chartered the yacht, Fujifilm, which will sail under the name of "Team Wild Goose", a Class 40 which also comes with an international racing pedigree.

Having left Howth a few years ago, Cracklin' Rosie is now returning under the helm of Londoner, Steven Anderson while the intrepid ladies, Kristeen Donaldson and Judith Eastwood, have entered their yacht PYXIS in the gruelling two-handed class. While on the subject of the ladies keep an eye on Allie Smith aboard Visit Malta Puma who won her class in the 2010 race and is determined to take the trophy back home again.

The west of Ireland is well represented with Inis Mor from Clifden BC, and NUI Galway from Galway University Sailing Club while Cork and Dun Laoghaire have lately shown a stronger interest. Of local Wicklow interest is the return this year of club member, Brian Flahive, to the two handed class in LC Tyres Lulabelle to be sailed under the WSC burgee.

Approximately half of the yachts entered in the Round Ireland Yacht Race are RORC racers based in England and include entries from the RAF and the Army Sailing Clubs. Boats from Scotland, Wales and Guernsey will also join the fleet in Wicklow. All in all a formidable entry of top rated racers, even at this early date.

"To win the Round Ireland Yacht Race, your crew have to race consistently well, all day and all night, every day; given the challenging Irish coastline, it is not an easy course. Three thousand miles for open seas to build up before they hit you on the West coast can be daunting. I have no illusions, winning against good opposition is never easy but it makes racing the Round Ireland Yacht Race all the more rewarding" said Theo Phelan, Race Organiser for the Round Ireland 2012 Yacht Race.

Entries received to May 10th 2012

#RIR – Early British offshore entries account for 50% of the yachts entered so far for next month's Round Ireland Yacht Race from Wicklow, an offshore offshore fixture that for the first time counts for the same points as the Rolex Fastnet race in the international Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) season. It's an indicator the 2012 Round Ireland is quietly taking shape inspite of the recession.

16 boats are already entered say Wicklow Sailing Club, eight are subject to confirmation but another 17, including many of the Irish Sea's 18-boat ISORA fleet are highly likely, giving the 2012 race a healthy 30-40 boat turnout when it sets sail just over six weeks time from Wicklow Bay. In particularly Welsh and Dublin Bay J109 yachts are setting the pace in the first two Irish Sea races to Wicklow and Holyhead respectively.

Although event chairman Dennis Noonan would not reveal the identity of an Open 60 today it is expected the boat and skipper will be confirmed at tomorrow night's official launch in Wicklow town. It will add spice to a fleet that has among its number the Round Ireland defending champion, Dutch entry Tonerre de Breskens skippered by Piet Vroon.

No official entry list has yet been published for the 2012 race but notable entries include a woman's double-hander for the first time. A New York based Open 40 Wild Goose is also debuting on the 704-mile course. Other boats include a regular Round Ireland entry that has been so close to an overall win but never won it;  Laurent Gouy's Inismor. Simon Costain's Fortitude, a Pogo Class 40 is in as well as the British Army Sailing Association 40 footer Fujitsu; Paul Egan's Legally Blonde from Dun Laoghaire is sailing again. Nigel Colley's Fastrak VIII, a new Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 is also entered. Another UK entry is Round Ireland veteran Mike Jacques of Nunatak.

One of the earliest campaigns to declare was a crew of NUI Galway students and graduates who are campaigning a 38-foot yacht in the non–stop race. The student's first training session, around the Aran Islands is carried as a youtube clip above.

This year, the Round Ireland start gun goes at 12:00 on Sunday, 24 June.

#SAILING – The tenth Annual ICRA Conference took place in Dun Laoghaire for the first time on 26th November in the same year ICRA was awarded the Mitsubishi Club of the Year trophy writes ICRA Commdore Barry Rose. It was a well attended event by a very representative group of sailors and club representatives from all Coasts of Ireland.

Barry Rose Chaired the ICRA Conference in Dun Laoghaire

The format this year created an inter active discussion in the morning session on Class Bands and the promotion of participation in Cruiser Racing in general. A lively, frank discussion took place with strong views being expressed by most present highlighting the problem of attracting crews to enable boats to go racing and creating access to allow those interested to go sailing to participate in the sport.

Des McWilliam spoke passionately about Irish sailing - Photo: Bob Bateman

Sailmaker Des McWilliam made a strong appeal that the future of the sport was threatened by difficulty in accessing getting afloat and sailing by the Club structures that were becoming more of a closed shop approach. Maurice O'Connell also spoke passionately on the same subject and examples were given of difficulties encountered both In Cork and Dublin in gaining access to participating in sailing and racing while boats were remaining tied up for lack of crews.

An understanding of the dilemma for the Clubs was also expressed by Flag Officers present in maintaining their facilities for those paying membership while encouraging new sailors to gain access at reasonable cost for a period.

It was agreed that all present would make every effort on a personal basis to encourage opportunities for those interested to go sailing to gain opportunities on boats and access to Club introductory offers.

ICRA will also explore creating an on line vehicle for available crews to register so boat owners gain opportunity to make contact.

There was also suggestions aired that bottom end of Class 1 should be included in Class 2 where all would have better racing.

Howth, the venue for the 2012 ICRA Champs

The Royal Cork Yacht Club was complimented for running a top Class ICRA National Championships in June. Howth Yacht Club gave an update that arrangements are well progressed for an exciting ICRA National Championships in Howth 25th to 27th May 2012. The previous weekend will host the Corby Cup which will encourage those travelling to participate in Nationals and ISORA will run a feeder Race from Wales. It is hoped to announce a Sponsor shortly. Howth plan the first Race for 1600 hrs on Friday to avoid necessity for those travelling to stay over on Thursday.

The main feature of the afternoon session was a similar open forum with Race Officers Jack Roy, Henry Leonard and Harry Gallagher joining the top table for an open discussion on course types that sailors wanted and communications sailors would like with Race Officers. This was also a lively session with frank constructive exchanges which was of benefit to sailors and Race Officers alike.

The feeling of the meeting was that in addition to windward /Leeward courses sailors wanted a good variety of course types both at National Championship level but also at Regional events. Also those present strongly requested that boats over the line at starts be informed whenever possible but on strict understanding in Sailing Instructions that there be no redress in any circumstances relating to same against Race Officers.

Both these forums provided an excellent opportunity for those attending to air their views on all matters relating to Cruiser Racing and to offer ideas and this will be developed further for future conferences.

Commodore's Cup Captain Anthony O'Leary. Photo: Bob Bateman

The Commodore reported on efforts to form a team to defend the Commodore's Cup in 2012 and Anthony O'Leary brought the meeting up to date in changes to the event format and expressed confidence that there would be a positive response to ICRA 's request for declarations of interest to form a credible team to defend the Cup as is Ireland's responsibility.

Denis Noonan of Wicklow Sailing Club expressed the Clubs upset and disappointment that an Irish Club would arrange a competing event The Round Rockall Race from Galway starting on the same day as their Iconic Round Ireland Race. They outlined their plans for the 2012 Round Ireland Race and received support for their efforts from those attending. The RORC has increased their points scoring for the Round Ireland Race as further recognition of its standing in World offshore racing. Both ICRA and the ISA confirmed their support for the Round Ireland Race.

Pat Kelly's Storm is ICRA's Boat of the Year. Photo: Bob Bateman

The Conference finished with the presentation of the magnificent crystal ICRA Boat Of The Year trophy for 2011 to Pat Kelly's J 109 Storm who won the ICRA Nationals in Cork in June, The Cruiser Challenge in Dublin in August, The Howth Autumn Series and also travelled to the Scottish Series and Sovereigns Week. It was felt she embodied the spirit of a well campaigned ICRA cruiser racer. A week later Kelly became Afloat's Sailor of the month for November. 

Apart from the mural of the trawler (click HERE) there are a wide variety of vessels represented from general cargo-ships and the inclusion of STV Asgard II and the World's last ocean-going paddle-steamer P.S. Waverley. These vessels have too berthed alongside the adorned eastern breakwater where spectators flock to see the start of the biennial Round Ireland Yacht Race which was held last year.

The photo of the trawler was taken on a previous call at the Packet Quay, Wicklow and not Arklow as stated. The Packet Pier is the most used commercial quay in the Co. Wicklow port, where timber and scrap-metal cargoes are relatively common. For example the Arklow Rebel which loaded scrap-metal bound for Liverpool, to read more click HERE.

Round Ireland organiser, Wicklow Sailing Club has elected its first Lady President in the 60th anniversary year of the club.

Long time resident of Wicklow, Sadie Phelan, has been very involved in many roles in the club previously, having served as its Honorary Secretary for several years. Phelan also served as Wicklow SC ISORA representative as well as organising many fundraising and social events including the Round Ireland Prizegiving dinners.

This is a great honour for Sadie and her family and she will be a worthy ambassador for the members of WSC with her wide circle of sailing friends from both sides of the Irish Sea.

Wicklow Sailing Club's 60th Anniversary Dinner Dance will be held in the Grand Hotel, Wicklow at 8pm on Saturday the 20th of November. Fred Drew will be mounting a one off Historical Display of the Club's major events, which will feature the staging of the Round Ireland race. Contact Kerrie 0404 67526 or [email protected] for more information or to reserve tickets. Tickets are €50pp.

For a look back over a recent history of the race read Afloat's Round Ireland Yacht Race review

Royal Cork yacht Cavatina (Eric Lisson), twice overall winners of the Round Ireland race is going round again in a bid top be the the first boat to win Ireland's classic offshore race three times. The news is one of a handful developments as the fleet gathers in Wicklow for the start at 12 noon on Sunday.

Paddy and John Loden sailing Psipsina were the winners of the RORC 'Morgan Cup' race to Cherbourg last week-end start as favourites on Sunday in the Round Ireland Yacht Race Double-handed division, a ten boat section of the 37-boat fleet.

With just 5 days to the off, it looks like the 2010 Conway Media Round Ireland Yacht Race will have an impressive total of 37 yachts participating in the country’s premier off-shore race.25 per cent of entrants this year are returning contestants hoping to make history on this milestone occasion.  With boats from France, Netherlands, UK as well as from all coasts of Ireland already signed up.  Race organiser Denis Noonan, running his 6th event, is confident this promises to be an interesting race.

“Cavatina has appeared to try and get that elusive third win and failing that, we are guaranteed a new name on the trophy, as they are the only previous winning boat entered.”

Skipper Eric Lisson (standing and thumbs in air) with the Royal Cork crew of Cavatina, twice overall winners of the Round Ireland race. The Cavatina crew will be competing again on Sunday. Photo: David O'Brien

Two of the favourites for the Round Ireland title topped out the RORC IRC overall listings last weekend at the Morgan Cup an overnighter to Cherbourg. The winning boat, Psipsina, was a double-handed entry sailed by Paddy Cronin and John Loden. They pipped Piet Vroon's Tonnerre de Breskens III for the overall trophy by just over two minutes on corrected time.

The largest boat entered is Celtic Spirit of Fastnet, a sturdy 72’ Cruiser/Racer which has been to the Antarctic in the recent past. Just behind them we have a real flying machine, Pride of  Rosslare Europort , an IMOCA 60, which will be expected to take line honours.

Local Wicklow boats are  Irish Popcorn  Pride of Wicklow, Noonan Boats Oystercatcher, both flying the WSC burgee and James Tyrrells latest Aqualina from Arklow.

The major focus of attention will be on Daft.ie with Mick Liddy and blind sailor Mark Pollock on board their two-hander.

Sailing Schools are also featuring with double entries from both Sailing West, Dun Laoghaire, Sailing Logic from the Hamble and a single boat from Conwy Yachting in N Wales. 

 Armchair spectators can follow the Conway Media Round Ireland Yacht Race on the Tracking system, supplied by RORC, through the race website www.roundirelandyachtrace.ie <http://www.roundirelandyachtrace.ie/> 

The Round Ireland is the longest race in the Royal Ocean Racing Club calendar. The first race took place in 1980 with only thirteen boats. Since then, held biannually, the fleet has grown steadily, and in the order of 40 yachts are expected to participate this year. The final date for acceptance of entrants to the 2010 Conway Media Round Ireland Yacht Race is this Thursday 17th June 2010

Wicklow businesses are hoping to follow the Galway example with the Volvo Ocean Race and build on the opportunity of hosting such a prestigious sporting event.  The Volvo Ocean Race stopped off in Galway for two weeks last summer and injected in the region of €50 million into the local economy.  Furthermore, the festivities surrounding the event attracted over  600 ,000 visitors from both abroad and other regions of Ireland. 

Wicklow has launched a gala Sailfest in the hope that the 30th anniversary of the Conway Media Round Ireland Yacht Race will have a similar positive impact on the area.

The local business community is fully on board.  Indeed the 2010 Round Ireland was without a sponsor up until recently with the previous arrangement – BMW – not renewing.  Local businessman Roy Conway, has now stepped in and taken up the mantle of title sponsor for both the 2010 Round Ireland Race and the Sailfest. 

Roy Conway already has a great affinity with the Race, having previously participated on a number of occasions. He is delighted to be in a position to be able to support the Race and the town

The Sailfest will see free open-air concerts from the American Drifters, Heathers, Luan Parle, Mo Hat Mo Gheansai as well as an extensive array of events for children including water sports, aeroplane, Drift Car displays and Bowling tournaments.  One of the major highlights is the Midsummer Mardi Gras ball at Wicklow’s Historic Gaol on Saturday 19th of June.  www.roundirelandsailfest.com

More on the Round Ireland Yacht Race:

Round Ireland Yacht Race 2010 Review

Round Ireland Yacht Race, Ireland's top offshore fixture

One of the early entries to the ten boat double handed division is Mick Liddy and adventurer Mark Pollock in the much hyped Daft.com sponsored class 40 yacht. It is one of only a few sponsored entries in this year's Round Ireland Yacht race. The entry is generating publicity partly because of the sponsorship drive behind it but mainly because one half of the partnership is sailing blind and is tackling offshore sailing for the first time.

As if the race did not present enough obstacles of its own, Pollock will depend on his partner Air Corps pilot Liddy for the entire 700-mile voyage.

But this isn't the first visually impaired sailor into the race, two others precede him. Michael Beggs of Bangor, County Down and Martin McKeaver of Derry confronted tidal races, gale force winds and a rocky lee shore as part of a crew of eight in the 1996 race.

More on the Round Ireland Yacht Race:

Round Ireland Yacht Race 2010 Review

Round Ireland Yacht Race, Ireland's top offshore fixture

Just three weeks before the Round Ireland sailing race kicks off in Wicklow ISORA is preparing to race there in June 5th's race from Pwllheli in North Wales. When most regattas and events this season have struggled to raise entries the ISORA season has been marked with a dramatic rise, taking the offshore fleet to over 20 boats. Entry list and more details for he fourth race (inlcuding eve of race BBQ steaks in Wales) are on the ISORA thread on the Afloat forum here.