Only minutes after registration opened at 9 am this morning for the 2024 SSE Renewables Round Ireland Race were the first entries received.

Despite the hype over some potent international campaigns, the first boats to register were returning Irish Round Ireland contestants. 

Nigel Biggs and Dave Cullen in the First 50 Checkmate XX from the Royal Irish YC and Howth YC confirmed they will be doing the circuit this time after the disappointment of withdrawing on the eve of the 2022 race due to COVID.

Despite that early Round Ireland setback, there has been no stopping the Biggs/Cullen partnership since, with a number of victories in 2023 at June's Sovereign's Cup and in the offshore class in Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta last July. In explaining the formula for the 2023 successes, Biggs told Afloat that the boat was a 'platform for us to enjoy our sailing’.

A second 2024 Round entry this morning is Royal Cork Yacht Club campaigner Noel Coleman in his Oyster 37, Blue Oyster, which was second in IRC Class 4 in the 2022 race.

Simon Harris' J/112E J'Ouvert was the third entry received.

Noel Coleman in his Oyster 37, Blue Oyster Photo: Bob Bateman

As Afloat reported earlier, with just under five months to the June race start, entries opened for the 2024 SSE Renewables Round Ireland Race at 9 am, tying in with this morning's official launch of Ireland's premier offshore race.

Organiser Wicklow Sailing Club (WSC) has set a high target for entries, but as Afloat reported previously, the club has also been quick off the mark to attract some early international entries.

The 2024 edition of the race marks the 22nd running of the biennial offshore sailing event that will start on Saturday, 22nd June 2024, with a hoped-for fleet of some 70 boats.

The race was launched this morning by WSC and sponsors SSE Renewables at County Wicklow's Local Enterprise Office in Rathnew.

Round Ireland entry is open here