#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.

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.

Reporting on the latest race news and regatta information is the one of the most important aspects of the Afloat.ie website. This page covers everything from round the world race stopovers, the arrival of the Tall Ships as well as domestic boat shows and a calendar of events.

Blind adventurer and Round Ireland competitor Mark Pollock is in a stable but serious condition in the Royal Berkshire Hospital this evening after a fall from an upper floor window.

The Belfast-born explorer fell 25 feet from a bedroom window in a house where he was staying in Henley on Friday night.

Pollock, 34, is in intensive care, having sustained multiple broken bones and internal injuries in the fall.

Pollock won silver and bronze medals in rowing at the Commonwealth Games in 2002, and was attending the Henley Royal Regatta as a spectator. He had returned home early from Leander Club at 10.30pm and went to bed.

Some time after that, Pollock was sleepwalking and fell 25 feet into the front garden, where friends immediately came to his aid.

Pollock's fiancée Simone George credits his friends' quick reactions with saving his life.

"We want to say thank you to his friends for saving his life. We cannot express what we feel for them. Mark is focusing on getting better. He would like to thank everyone for their love and their prayers and their thoughts."

Pollock was still recovering from having completed the Round Ireland Yacht Race, becoming the first blind man to co-skipper a boat in the race.

He sailed the race in a Class 40 with Air Corps Captain Mick Liddy, finishing first on the water in the double-handed division, but further down the rankings on handicap.

The pair suffered severe electrical failure in the race when their alternator gave out. That disabled their autohelm which meant they were unable to sleep for nearly four days in a row.

Pollock's previous adventures have taken him to the South Pole, the Himalayas, the Dead Sea and elsewhere.

In this week's podcast, you could win one of two spaces on one of the Clipper Yachts for the sail from Kinsale to Cork this Wednesday. Plus we talk to the young guns from Schull Community College and the Pride of Wicklow about their victories in recent days. 

As the leaders of the Conway Media Round Ireland Yacht Race enter the northern end of the Irish Sea, today will be all about current affairs, so be prepared to watch the teams' fates ebb and flow with the vagaries of Northern Irish tides. Tonnerre de Breskens and Spirit of Rosslare Europort are currently being hurried around the north-east corner by the end of a flood tide. However, Larne saw high water come and go at 08.11 this morning. That means that the leaders and those in their wake (Inis Mor and Daft.com) have maybe an hour of slack water before things turn against them and they end up jogging on a nautical treadmill. Adding to the impending misery, those east of Malin Head are in light airs, whereas those off the Donegal coast and even further back have stronger following winds whisking them up the rankings in handicap terms and helping them battle the tide. Tonnerre and Rosslare are past Rathlin, but not out of the woods yet.

Low Water at Larne is at 1418hrs, and how much the fleet will compress before then could well define how the results pan out when the finishers hit Wicklow.

One curiosity now will be who gets line honours. 

Favourite before the race was the Open 60 Spirit of Rosslare Europort, the one boat in the fleet with the potential for greatest speed. However they've failed to make gains when the conditions were in their favour, and now face upwind conditions, or a fetch at best, down the Irish Sea. Open 60s are built for downwind sailing, and this will do them no favours.

They're duelling with the Dutchmen on Tonnerre de Breskens, who have sailed a near impeccable race so far, in line with their winning form on the RORC circuit, and led the IRC rankings at the last mark. From the Spirit of Rosslare Europort blog earlier this morning: "Passed Rathlin Island and chasing Tonnerre de Breskens 3 hard.  We are set for a great duel down the Irish sea.  We are sailing with 3.4knts of favourable tide but this is due to change at about 09.30 this morning as the tide turns foul.

"While we are on a IMOCA 60  - We have to take our hats off to the Guys on “Tonnerre de Breskens 3”  - They are sailing that Ker 46 to her max."

Further back, Inis Mor is the main challenger for the overall title, with Visit Malta Puma pushing hard and the pair of them battling with the youngsters on Pride of Wicklow who have put in a valiant debut performance in a race that has thrown up ideal conditions for an opening foray into offshore sailing. 

Psipsina continues to hold onto her double-handed lead, and could do some further damage to Daft.com's lead on the water around the top. Daft.com have been struggling with their on-board alternator, meaning that their on-board electronics have been used sparingly. This may have made things difficult for blind sailor Mark Pollock, reliant on a power-hungry audio nav system to help him steer the boat while Mick Liddy sleeps. (UPDATE: Mark Pollock just tweeted to say that their backup autohelm cut out during a gybe, and they report a suspected cracked spreader. Kite is down and they are assessing what to do)

Boats can now call in race reports from the water direct to our webmaster's voicemail for use as podcasts, just dial 08652570320 and leave your report after the beep, and we'll get it up online as soon as possible.

Have your say on the racing in our forum thread HERE.

The race tracker is HERE, and the official site is HERE.

More on the Round Ireland Yacht Race:

Round Ireland Yacht Race 2010 Review

Round Ireland Yacht Race, Ireland's top offshore fixture

It was all change on the Conway Media Round Ireland Yacht Race leaderboard with on-the-water leader Tonnerre de Breskens taking pole, both elapsed and corrected, at the 9.30am check-in. Tonnerre led both Class Zero and the overall standings, and is at present holding off the Open 60 Spirit of Rosslare Europort as the breeze prepares to take a break, dying off before strengthening again later from a more westerly direction.

Inis Mor is in second, with IRC 1 leader Visit Malta Puma in third overall.

Daft.com have let their crown slip, with defending double-handed champion Paddy Cronin, sailing with John Loden, taking the lead in that class overall for the time being as the yachts chase up the west coast.

Cavatina still leads cruisers 4 and the classics, but her fate and those like her won't be known until the weather patters for the next three days play themselves out. There's still all to play for in an intriguing Round Ireland.

Overall 1st Tonnerre de Breskens3 
2nd Inis Mor 
3rd Visit Malta Puma

IRC 0 Tonnerre de Breskens3
IRC 1 Visit Malta Puma 
IRC 2 Psipsina 
IRC 3 Alchimiste

Class 4 Cruisers Cavatina 
Class 5 Classics Cavatina 
Class 6 Sigma 38 Persistance 
Class 7 Two Handed Psipsina

{form1}

More on the Round Ireland Yacht Race:

Round Ireland Yacht Race 2010 Review

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The Official Start of 2010 Conway Media Round Ireland Yacht Race is 12 noon on Sunday 20th June. Watch the biennial race unfold as up to 37 yachts set sail from Wicklow Bay, with entertainment before and after, including live music in Wicklow Sailing Club and aeroplane display. Click here for a full timetable of entertainment events for the weekend.

More on the Round Ireland Yacht Race:

Round Ireland Yacht Race 2010 Review

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There's plenty of entertainment on offer to keep the family amused, here is the SailFest Festival Event Guide and Timetable to help you plan your Round Ireland Yacht Race weekend.

Friday 18th June

8-9.30pm:  Official Opening of the Festival by Mayor Irene Winters
followed by Open Air Concert with The Garda Band at Wicklow Sailing Club.

Free Street Entertainment:
7-8pm: Mo Hat Mo Gheansaí, outside Track One, Main Street
8-9pm: Luke and Hazel, at the Market Square

Children’s Entertainment:
7-11pm: McFadden’s Funfair at the Leitrim Green

11pm: Festival Fireworks, South Quay Wicklow.
Celebrations for all the family

Free Open Air Concert, Abbey Street Carpark:
8-9pm: Grim Vandango
9-11pm: Big Digger

Music in the Pubs and Clubs:

Wicklow Sailing Club:
6-8pm: Outdoor Music
8-9.30pm: Open air Concert with The Garda Band
11.30pm-1am: Straw Dogs

The Leitrim Lounge:
7-8pm: First Cut
10-12pm: Those Lazy Babies

Ernie’s Bar:
8pm til late: Traditional Music

The Old Forge:
9.30pm til late: Karaoke Competition
10pm-2am: Music of the Seventies & Eighties in Late Bar

The Grand Hotel:
8pm til late: DJ in Wynne’s Bar
11.30pm-2.30am: Music in Silvers Nightclub

Fitzpatrick’s Bar:
9.30pm-11pm: Superhuman Machine
11pm-12.30am: Backdoor Bandits

Saturday 19th June

Water Sports:
11.30am-5pm: Amazing Water Sports Display at Wicklow Sailing Club
11.30am-1pm: Jet Ski Display by South East Powerboating
2-2.30pm: Dinghy Racing by Pascal Ryan at Wicklow Sailing Club
3.30-5pm: Zapcats by South East Powerboating

Children’s Entertainment:
12-11pm: McFadden’s Funfair at the Leitrim Green

Bring along your own picnic and see the DRIFT Car & BMX Display at the Black Castle.

12-2pm: Family Picnic with Story-Telling for Young Children in Teepees at the Black Castle

1.30-2.30pm: Story-Telling in Teepee No 1 with Hilary Hamilton (Bridge St. Books)

2.30pm: Circus Acts – Jugglers and Fire-Eaters in Teepee No 2
3.30pm: Circus Acts – Jugglers and Fire-Eaters in Teepee No 2

2.15-4.15pm: Enjoy the Magician as he performs mind-boggling tricks in Teepee No 1

2-4pm: Inspect the Fire Engine with Pat Flood at the Black Castle

2pm: Gaol Tour for Kids and Families – Your mission is to get your family out of gaol asap! Get as many keys as possible by completing Crystal Maze type challenges and solving the clues.
Tour starts on the hour every hour from the Black Castle.
Family tickets only €10 from the Sailfest Office, Main Street or phone 0404-62150.

2-4pm: DRIFT Car Exhibition with Monster Truck and Monster Drinks at the Black Castle followed by DRIFT Car Tour of Wicklow Town.

2-4pm: Acoustic Music by Apollo Unplugged at the Black Castle.

12-5pm: Surf Simulator at the Black Castle

6pm: BMX Display on the steps at the Black Castle.

2-2.30pm: Hip-hop Dancing with Zoe Patterson’s F.Y.I. Dance Club, Market Square
3-3.30pm: Hip-hop Dancing with Zoe Patterson’s F.Y.I. Dance Club, Market Square

12-4pm: Exhibition of Schools’ Colouring Competition at the Town Hall, Wicklow

4-6pm: ‘Battle of the Bowls’ – Family Fun Day at Kidzone Diamond Bowl, Bollarney
Cheer your family on to become the top bowling family of the day!
Three sections in one team – Dads against Dads, Mums against Mums & Kids against Kids
Great prizes for the winning family.
Entries €25 per family of four.
For bookings phone the Sailfest office 0404-61250 or Diamond Bowl 0404 65222

Free Street Entertainment – Main Street:

1-4pm: Face-painting on Main Street, Wicklow.

2-6pm: Spring Walkers and Fire-Eaters on Main Street, Wicklow

1-4pm: Period Street Drama – The team from Wicklow’s Historic Gaol and the Kilmant Drama Players will arrest criminals on the streets of Wicklow and deliver them by horse and cart to Wicklow’s Historic Gaol for trial and retribution.

11am-12.30pm:  Music with Mister Spectator, Market Square

12-4pm: Meet & Greet our Fancy Dress Characters along Main Street

12.30-2pm: Music by Kind Hearts and Coronets, outside Track One, Main Street

1-2.30pm: Popular Tunes with Luke and Hazel, outside the Sailfest Office, Main Street

6-7pm: Music with Mo Hat Mo Gheansaí, Market Square

The Gig Rig, Leitrim Place:
2-3.30pm: Mister Spectator
4-5pm: The Courtesy
5-6pm: Daithí O’Dronaí
6-9pm: DJ Stephen Clark
9-11pm: Traditional Music

Gala Sailfest Concert, Abbey Street Carpark – FREE:
6-7pm: The Looks
7-8pm: The Heathers
8-10pm: The Great American Drifters

Midsummer Mardi Gras Ball, Wicklow’s Historic Gaol,
9.30pm til late. Tickets €60 to include: Live Entertainment with Keith McDonald & the Fantastic Showband Show, DJ til late, Interactive Gaol Tour, Full Bar and Delicious Hog-Roast Buffet.
Fancy Dress optional – Mardi Gras Masks available on the night.
Tickets from the Sailfest Office, Main Street, phone 0404-62150. Booking essential.

Music in the Pubs and Clubs:
Wicklow Sailing Club:
5-7pm: Nicky Pupora and Band
10.30pm-12.30am: Straw Dogs

Ernie’s Bar:
8pm til late: Traditional Music

The Old Forge:
5-7pm: Feedback
10pm-2am: Music of the Seventies & Eighties in the Late Bar
11.30pm-2.30am: The Loft nightclub

The Grand Hotel:
2-5pm Outdoor music on the deck
10pm: Quest for Ted
11.30pm-2.30am: Full Moon Beach Party, Silver’s Nightclub. Entry €10

Fitzpatrick’s Lounge:
6-7pm Tony Benn
10pm-12am: Kind Hearts and Coronets

Sunday 20th June

10.30-11.45am: Build-Up to the Start of the Conway Media Round Ireland Yacht Race, Wicklow Sailing Club with music from Nicky Pupora and Band

12 noon: Official Start of 2010 Conway Media Round Ireland Yacht Race.
Watch the superb spectacle as 40 magnificent yachts set sail from Wicklow Bay for this epic race.

12.30pm Fabulous aeroplane display to celebrate the departure of the yachts

12.30-2.30pm: Music with Nicky Pupora in Wicklow Sailing Club

Children’s Entertainment:

12-11pm: McFadden’s Funfair at the Leitrim Green

12-6pm: Children’s Face-Painting, Main St. Wicklow

Free Street Entertainment:

1-4pm: Period Street Drama – The team from Wicklow’s Historic Gaol and the Kilmant Drama Players will arrest criminals on the streets of Wicklow and deliver them by horse and cart to Wicklow’s Historic Gaol for trial and retribution.

1.30-4pm: Arrival of Wicklow Vintage Car Club at the Grand Hotel followed by Display at Kilmantin Hill

2-2.30pm: Hip-hop Dancing with Zoe Patterson’s F.Y.I. Dance Club, Market Square

3-3.30pm: Hip-hop Dancing with Zoe Patterson’s F.Y.I. Dance Club, Market Square

2-4pm: Daithí O’Dronaí, outside Track One, Main Street

2-3.30pm: The Gandhis, Market Square

3-4.30pm: Half Shot, outside the Sailfest Office, Main Street

9-10pm: Moo Dublin, Market Square

The Gig Rig, Leitrim Place

2-3pm First Cut
3.30-5.30pm: Brian Meakin
6-8pm: Feedback

Music at Wicklow’s Historic Gaol:

2-4pm Tadgh and Oisin Classical Set
3-4pm Key West
4pm-6pm: Luan Parle, Wicklow’s Historic Gaol

Closing of Sailfest, Wicklow’s Historic Gaol
4-6pm: Open Air Concert with top Country Singer Luan Parle

Music in the Pubs & Clubs:

The Forge:
4-6pm: East Coast Jazz Band in the Beer Garden
10pm-2am: Music of the Seventies & Eighties in the Late Bar
11.30pm-2am: Nightclub in the Loft Bar

The Grand Hotel:
7-9pm: The Christy Moore Tribute Band
9pm til late: DJ in Wynne’s Bar
11.30pm-2.30am: Music in Silvers Nightclub

Fitzpatrick’s Bar:
6-7pm: The Gandhis
7-8.30pm: Moo Dublin
9-10pm: Half Shot

More on the Round Ireland Yacht Race:

Round Ireland Yacht Race 2010 Review

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More entries in the last 24 hours bring the total list for the Round Ireland Yacht Race to 36.

Two new UK entires, one from the British Armed Forces and another from Liverpool join further entries from Sailing West and a recent ISORA winner, Matt Davis' Sigma 400 Raging Bull.

The Army Sailing Association has entered their Archambault 40, British Soldier, in Class One, as part of an extremely full racing calendar for 2010. Another recent entry is James Tyrell's Arklow-based Aquelina, the J122 that was among the front runners in the closing stages of the last race and a boat that will be keen to improve this time around. 

The full entry list as it stands is HERE. Six days remain to get your entry in.

More on the Round Ireland Yacht Race:

Round Ireland Yacht Race 2010 Review

Round Ireland Yacht Race, Ireland's top offshore fixture