In five weeks time, Ireland’s talented solo sailor Tom Dolan – currently ranking fourth overall in the 60–plus top helms in the Mini Transat 650 class – will be in the final stages of countdown to the start of the Mini-Transatlantic race from La Rochelle writes W M Nixon.

For a lone sailor from Ireland, making his way into the top places in the world’s most challenging solo racing environment in France has been a great achievement. But it has always been on a shoestring budget, with Tom buying his new boat IRL 910 in the most basic form available using a small inheritance, and bringing her up to standard and competitiveness with hours and weeks of his own hard work.

He has supported himself through running a coaching academy, but while his campaign is receiving a measure of sponsorship support, there is a real shortfall in funding. This will inevitably cause what should be completely unnecessary stress at a time when he ought to be able to concentrate entirely on the campaign in hand. We at Afloat.ie are well aware of the stress which operating on an inadequate budget can cause, and would urge Tom’s many friends and supporters to rally round with generosity and goodwill at this time of need. Here’s the link