ISORA's Peter Ryan anticipates a 50% increase in offshore sailors into next July's Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta. The buoyant prediction is in step with an encouraging ' Super Early Bird' entry for the biennial event that closed on New Year's Eve. Organisers received a fantastic response to the new Super Early Bird Entry draw with 178 fully paid entries received. The current entry now stands at 184 boats. 

Entries have alrady been received from 31 of the 33 Regatta classes with great support from all the class captains who encouraged early entry within their fleets.

Fleets which currently have already over 10 boats entered (with still six months to close of entry) are Sigma 33, IRC Offshore, Non Spinnaker, IRC Cruisers, GP14 and IDRA 14 Classes.

An independently & professionally audited draw took place in the National Yacht Club on Monday 9th of January and 18 winners were selected across a number of classes and yacht clubs in IRL and UK (list of winners attached). These winners will have their entry fee fully refunded to them by the organisers.

A discounted 'Early Bird Entry' is open till 31st March 2017.

Eight days out from the start of the Rolex Sydney Hobart race, a race in which a number of Irish sailors are participating, and there is no solid indication as to what weather pattern the 91–yacht fleet will experience.  The race begins in six day's time on Boxing Day from Sydney Harbour.

Barry Hurley and Kenneth Rumball from Dun Laoghaire will sail again on the Beneteau First 40 Breakthrough, a fourth time for Hurley.  The pair will join an Australian crew  and were 11th overall in the 2014 race, the best result yet for Hurley.

This morning, Australia's internationally acclaimed yachting meteorologist, Roger Badham, had one message for all crews in the 628-nautical mile classic: "In the past two days the two main long range weather models have swapped their outlooks. That's come about because of the complexity of the developing weather. All I can say is, don't read too much into it yet because things are certain to change again."

However, Badham added that the one likely scenario at this time was that race record holder, Wild Oats XI, or one to the three other supermaxis in the fleet, could set a record for the course. "Today the indications are that there will be a solid north-easterly wind at start time, so the yachts should enjoy fast sailing south from Sydney. However there is the chance for an explosive frontal low to develop in the Tasman Sea the first afternoon. But it would only be short-lived; the big boats would be back on record pace very quickly."

The Oatley family's Wild Oat's XI will this year be going for her ninth line honours in 12 starts in the Hobart race. The 30-metre long "Silver Bullet" has broken the course record on two occasions, her latest mark being 1 day 18 hours 23 minutes and 12 seconds, which was set in 2012.

Badham's current projections indicate the first of the big boats will reach the finish line on Hobart's Derwent River in about one day 15 hours

Lloyd Thornburg's American MOD70 Phaedo3 is flying towards Grenada's Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina and expected to touch down in about 24 hours. Mike Slade's Maxi 100 Leopard 3 is racing against the clock in an assault on the RORC race record. The IRC Fleet and Class40 Division are getting a savage taste of ocean racing.

MOD70 Phaedo3 is screaming towards the finish line outside Port Louis Marina in Grenada. Skipper Brian Thompson has told the crew to fasten their seatbelts and stow their dinner tables. For nearly a week, the crew have had no more than a few moments sleep in cramped conditions, living off freeze-dried mush and warm desalinated water. A hot shower, a proper bed, delicious food and a cold beer is just a few more hours away! A warm welcome is set for Phaedo's arrival and for Giovanni Soldini's MOD70, Maserati. However the Italian flyer is estimated to be as much as 24 hours behind their rivals.

The crew aboard Mike Slade's British Maxi, Leopard 3 have a huge lead on the water over the IRC fleet, vying to win the IMA Transatlantic Trophy. This morning the powerful Maxi had reduced speed as they passed through a transition zone created by a low pressure system to the north and solid trade winds in the south. The clock is ticking away, as Mike Slade explains via satellite connection:

"What a night! Almost every sail we have took a share of a battering; 80 degree wind shifts and wind speeds ranging from 6 to 40 knots, demanding at least 12 sail changes. Leopard never knew what the fuss was all about! Now into more stable conditions charging along at 16 to 20 knots, still hoping for line honours but the record will be won or lost by a matter of minutes. Once again the drone caused excitement reaching huge heights taking fab photos. We need to finish by 6 December at 1900 GMT, 1500 local time. After last night we all need a rum or two, but will have to wait. 1,500 miles to go."

Leopard's complications have been to the advantage of the variety of yachts that are also racing in the IRC Division. Arco Van Nieuwland & Andries Verde's Dutch Marten 72, Aragon has continued to perform. Approaching the halfway mark, the team are back as race leaders contesting for the RORC Transatlantic Race Trophy, and making a move south to hook into the trade winds. Leopard 3 is estimated to be in second overall, but should increase speed over the next 24 hours which may propel the team back to the top of the leaderboard. Swan 82 Stay Calm is already further south than Aragon and could well make up time on their immediate rival. All of the IRC fleet have now turned south away from the highly unusual westerly winds to the north. However the last 24 hours have been tough going for the Class40 division and smaller yachts in the IRC fleet.

Leader of the Class40s, Halvard Mabire & Miranda Merron's Campagne de France has sent in their latest blog. The team are racing Two Handed:

"Campagne de France, somewhere in the Atlantic on a very dark night. We must have read the wrong brochure. Trade wind route it isn't. Still upwind since the night before last, but on the way to better things, although the wind is refusing to match the forecast at the moment. Upwind = bouncing/ slamming off waves and into troughs. Getting water into the Jetboil and then pouring boiling water into a mug and keeping the contents in it while placing the lid on it are activities best undertaken in foul weather gear and boots, despite the heat. Every four hours we receive a position report (or punishment report depending on performance), where we see how Campagne de France, or more precisely her crew, has fared against the competition. There are still 2,000 miles of race course to go. Many more miles than that to sail as the direct route is closed, at least if we want to get to the finish this year, and a lot can happen in that time," writes Miranda Merron.

James Heald sent an SMS via satellite from on board his IRC Two Handed entry, Swan 45 Nemesis. James and his crew Ben Harris have 2,000 miles to race to complete an epic challenge.

"Man thinks he's king of the world. Yet Mother Nature rules out here as we beat into 20 knots, of that there is no doubt. Course is sort of towards Grenada; it's going to be a long one. Boat and us getting a beating today and looks set to continue before we hit forecast light winds again. Perhaps the southerly route via the Cape Verdes would have been more favourable, though I still believe in the Rhumb, or is it Rum! Routine and camaraderie are our friend, from our daily Iridium forecast we continue to execute our best attempt at using these contrary conditions to our goal. Ben broke a finger nail today. Me, I am just racing my yacht in an iconic race on my own terms and at times wonder WTF I am doing. One things for sure, it's a true adventure and that's what we were put on this planet to do: explore, sail, live. Checking off watch," Capt James Nemesis.

As dawn broke on the second day of the RORC Transatlantic Race, the majority of the fleet were still to round Tenerife, the last mark of the course before the international racing fleet head out into the open waters of the Atlantic. Land effects were still the main influence on tactics and strategy, with some big gains and losses in the fleet overnight.

Lloyd Thornburg's American MOD70 Phaedo3, skippered by Brian Thompson has pulled out an astonishing lead of more than 100 miles on Giovanni Soldini's Italian MOD70, Maserati. Thornburg broke the Round Ireland speed record in early August as Afloat.ie reported here.

However, this huge lead is due to a very different strategy developing, rather than a speed differential. Phaedo3 look to be committed to a southerly route, whilst Maserati appear to be going north. The Italian multihull may have delayed their move north to enjoy a calmer sea state after passing La Palma.

In the IRC fleet, Mike Slade's Maxi, Leopard 3 has been revelling in the upwind conditions, pulling out a lead of 30 miles on the monohull fleet. After IRC time correction, it is estimated that Arco Van Nieuwland & Andries Verde's Dutch Marten 72, Aragon is leading. In the early hours of the morning Aragon was side-by-side with Swan 82, Stay Calm. The powerful Swan tacked to the north whilst Aragon stayed on the same tack, resulting in a nine mile lead on the water this morning.

Whilst the Maxis racing in the RORC Transatlantic Race can power through the two-metre sea state in relative comfort, the smaller boats in the fleet will be experiencing a wet rollercoaster ride; confirmed by Miranda Merron in her blog from Class40, Campagne de France which was three miles ahead of rival, Catherine Pourre's Eärendil.

"Almost dawn and it's been a long night of slamming upwind (Class40 hell). At least we don't have to sit on the rail hiking out...Wind going from 10 to 20+ knots, occasional short squalls. Two tacks to avoid the forbidden traffic separation schemes (there are a few ships around, but not in the TSS) and Tenerife. Complicated weather and no tradewinds in sight. So we shall read the tea leaves. A little hard to keep tea in the mug with all this bouncing around!" - Campagne de France, somewhere north of Tenerife.

Ben Harris reported in from IRC Two Handed entry Nemesis, skippered by James Heald. "Just 20 minutes sleep for each of us last night; hell of a battle upwind. James reckons it's more like the Fastnet than the tradewinds. We could do with some crew on the rail!"

Building on the growing numbers in the ISORA racing throughout the last season and in response from boat owners and crews alike, the Irish National Sailing and Powerboat School has announced an all new programme for ISORA and sailors all over the country. There is both a shorebased and practical element to the Dun Laoghaire course which can be taken independently or save costs by booking as a group.

The course aims, to enable skippers and crew to have the information and skills required to safely skipper a yacht on the common ISORA long distance passages within the Irish Sea by both day and night. The course will incorporate elements from the RYA Cruising Scheme Courses and will also include passage planning and navigation by modern chart plotters and other portable e navigational equipment such as iPad and laptop.

The Practical Course will be dynamic and can be adjusted to suit the direct needs of the clients on the differing courses. The fundamental aim of the Practical section of the course will be to give the clients the ability and the confidence to safely execute a typical ISORA race passage. Suitable for skippers and crew alike, the course will take place on an INSS race boat such as the Reflex 38, LYNX or the the school's recently acquired J109 Jedi, both styles of boats being keen competitors on the ISORA circuit.

#Offshore - Just in time for the release of Disney’s new seafaring adventure Moana comes this National Geographic profile of a team of sailors recreating the incredible navigations of Polynesian boats that inspired the animated film.

The crew of the Hōkūle‘a sail the ocean with nothing but the sun and the stars to guide them — even watches are banned.

And the Hawaiian team have been doing it since the mid 1970s, on a mission to prove their Polynesian ancestors were master navigators of the vast expanse of the Pacific.

They’ve since rekindled a long-lost seafaring tradition across the Polynesian islands, and have set their sights on completing an audacious 60,000-nautical-mile round-the-world voyage that they began in 2013, all on an open-deck double-hulled voyaging canoe.

National Geographic has more on the story HERE.

'ISORA is at the cutting edge of race management' said ISORA Chairman Peter Ryan in the 2016 ISORA AGM and dinner which was held in the National Yacht Club, Dún Laoghaire on Saturday 12th November.

The offshore body is on a high after a record season and a post season survey gave a thumbs–up to the Irish Sea scene. As Afloat.ie reported, more than half of survey respondents are regular offshore racers.

At the AGM it was agreed that the ISORA 2017 race schedule would star the Classics 'Dun Laoghaire to Dingle' Race in June.

The 'RORC Lyver Trophy' race will form part of the Royal Dee Yacht Club's Offshore Championship with the coastal races in the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta in July whilst the race from Dun Laoghaire to Pwllheli would be a great feeder race for the IRC Welsh National Championships hosted in Pwllheli in August.

The AGM also confirmed the use of auto helms in ISORA races and that the race schedule is designed to encourage new participants into the Irish Sea offshore scene from both sides of the channel with two coastal series and a good mix of race ports. Peter also confirmed that 'Virtual marks, combined with the latest Avery Crest YB Trakers would provide exciting and imaginative courses which could also feature virtual start lines and finishes'

At the spectacular prize-giving Sgrech, skippered by Afloat's Sailor of the Month for September Stephen Tudor, was confirmed the Offshore Champions for the third time and collected the prestigeous RDYC Wolf's Head Trophy.

#Piracy - A German sailor has been abducted and his companion killed by militants off the southern Philippines — eight years after the couple were held hostage by Somali pirates.

According to Mail Online, the terror group Abu Sayyaf — which specialises in kidnappings for high ransoms — has claimed responsibility for abducting 70-year-old Jurgen Kantner and killing Sabine Merz, whose body was reportedly found by the Filiino military on the couple’s yacht Rockall.

The region where the yacht was found is generally avoided by foreign yachts due to the high risk of kidnapping. Earlier this year two Canadian men were beheaded by Abu Sayyaf after the group’s ransom demands were not met.

In 2009, Kantner expressed his own concerns about a second kidnapping following payment of a ransom to Somali pirates who had held him and Merz for 52 days the previous year.

"I really hope the pirates don't catch me because this time no one will pay and everybody will tell the pirates: 'Keep him'," he told news agency AFP.

Mail Online has much more on the story HERE.

#ISORA - More than half of respondents to the recent Irish Sea Offshore Racing Association (ISORA) fleet survey consider themselves regular offshore racers.

The online questionnaire, as previously reported on Afloat.ie, aimed to determine whether ISORA is 'providing the racing that will inspire and excite existing and future sailors', as well as solicit suggestions for possible changes and improvements.

In terms of activity, the survey was good news for ISORA chiefs.

Of the 115 completed responses, 53% considered themselves to be regular offshore racers and 30% to be regular coastal racers.

Indeed, more than three-quarters - 77% of the total - claimed to have raced in 2016.

Some 40% of responses came from self-professed owner/skippers, while 57% were crew. Almost two-thirds of respondents have been taking part in ISORA races for between one and five years, while 16% have been racing with ISORA for 10 years or more.

However, ISORA was disappointed to find that only 2% of responses came from shore crew or supporters, indicating room to grow those aspects of the association's running of events.

"it is apparent from the results that more work is required to bring crews and skippers together," the survey report states.

The survey confirmed Dun Laoghaire's dominance as the hub for the ISORA fleet, with 89% confirming that the port is accessible for boats and crews, and 86% satisfied or very satisfied with the social and racing aspects of the port.

A clear coastal axis from Howth to Greystones was revealed, as well as an east-west axis to Holyhead (66% for accessibility and 48% for social and sailing) and Pwllheli (46% and 53% respectively). Douglas on the Isle of Man scored 29% for accessibility and 50% for social.

ISORA also identified that boats based to the north of the east-west axis wish to race further north, while those to the south of the axis wish to race further south.

Responses from those who have stopped racing or competing regularly with ISORA were low, but added to an emerging pattern of changing work or family circumstances, as well as a lack of challenge from the race schedule in some cases.

Still, most replies cites the 'camaraderie, challenge and fun' as their biggest 'likes' of their experience with the association.

The full survey report is available to download below.

#GuoChuan - Record-setting Chinese offshore skipper Guo Chuan has gone missing on a solo crossing of the Pacific, according to BBC News.

Guo Chuan had connections with Ireland as a crew-member on Irish-Chinese backed Green Dragon and became the first-ever Asian participant, with skipper Ian Walker in the 2008/09 Volvo Ocean Race

US Coast Guard teams now suspended their search in the waters off Hawaii where Guo’s boat was spotted abandoned shortly after his support team lost contact on Tuesday morning Irish time.

Guo’s yacht, the Qingdao China, was reportedly seen from a search plane with its main sail snapped off some 1,000km off Oahu.

Rescuers boarding the boat later found his lifejacket among his belongings.

The experienced sailor had been attempting to break the speed record for a solo Pacific crossing, which currently stands at 21 days.

A year ago, Irish offshore sailor Jarlath Cunnane was among the first to congratulate Guo on a record transit of the North East Passage with a team on board his 26.5m trimaran.

China’s best-known sailor previously sailed around the world in a 12m yacht in 2013.

* The USCG has suspended the search:

UPDATE: COAST GUARD SUSPENDS SEARCH FOR MISSING CHINESE TRANS-PACIFIC MARINER
HONOLULU — The Coast Guard suspended the active search Wednesday evening for a Chinese mariner who was unreported while sailing his 97-foot super trimaran across the Pacific.

Guo Chuan, 50, remains missing.

"Mr. Chuan was a professional mariner with a deep passion for sailing," said Capt. Robert Hendrickson, chief of response, Coast Guard 14th District. "Our thanks to our Navy partners who helped us search for this vessel in a timely manner so far from shore in an attempt to locate Mr. Chuan. Our deepest condolences go out not only to his family and friends but also to his racing team and the sailing community."

Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules crews conducted six search patterns in the vicinity of the Quindao China and its charted course following notification of the situation Tuesday and into Wednesday. The USS Makin Island deployed an MH-60 Seahawk helicopter Wednesday once they were in range to attempt contact with Chuan. Their hails over the radio went unanswered and weather conditions prevented safe deployment of a rescue swimmer to the vessel. They followed up by deploying a rigid-hulled inflatable boat and crew to conduct a boarding of the trimaran Wednesday afternoon. The boatcrew confirmed Chuan was not on the vessel although his life jacket remains aboard.

Weather on scene was reportedly 23 mph winds, seas to 5-feet with good visibility and scattered clouds.

On-scene assets searched a total area of more than 4,600 square miles over the two-day period.

Involved in the search were:
- HC-130 Hercules airplane crews from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point
- USS Makin Island (LHD 8) homeported out of San Diego
- Navy MH-60 Seahawk helicopter crew attached to the USS Makin Island

The Quindao China remains adrift, the mainsail has been doused and the vessel has been marked. A broadcast notice to mariners alerting vessel crews in the area to the potential hazard to navigation has been issued. Chuan’s racing team is making arrangements to recover the vessel.

Tuesday morning, watchstanders at the Coast Guard Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu received notification from Maritime Rescue Coordination Center China personnel that the vessel Qingdao China, with one person aboard, had not been heard from for 24 hours prompting the response.
The Makin Island is an amphibious assault ship attached to the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit that departed Naval Station San Diego for a scheduled deployment, Oct. 14, to provide maritime security operations, crisis response capability, theater security cooperation and forward naval presence in the Pacific.