A second canting keel 50-footer is set to contest June's Volvo Dun Laoghaire to Dingle offshore yacht race.
Afloat sources say the Elliott 57 has been purchased by an as-of-yet-unnamed Irish sailor who will contest not only the 280-mile D2D but also the coastal divisions of the Simply Blue Sovereign's Cup in Kinsale, also in June, and July's Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta.
The waterfront rumour mill is on high alert after the news broke of the new arrival, but there is still no confirmation if it will based in Dublin or Cork (or elsewhere? – Ed)
The Elliott 57, currently named Opal, will strongly oppose the New York based Cookson 50 Privateer already entered into Ireland's major offshore summer series.
The Greg Elliott designed speed-machine was built by Knierim in Germany in 2011.
According to the yacht broker behind the sale of the 11,000 kg yacht, it is 'arguably the ultimate short-handed rocket ship that money can buy'. It cost in excess of €1.5m to build.
A full carbon sandwich construction, Opal is coupled with a canting keel of 4,000kgs lead torpedo bulb and a carbon retractable canard.
The 11,000 kg flying machine is 'effortlessly controlled' by the smallest of crews thanks to full push-button hydraulics and powered winches for all duties.
