Club News
BMW ROUND IRELAND YACHT RACE 2008 FINALE
Brave Captain Hansen
Or
How a Round Ireland boat nearly ended up in the Gulf of Carpentaria.
From the pen of John Forrest
Peadar did the spreadsheets, and logged our Bona Fides
Rochey brought along the Charts, and times of Dover tides.
God Bless 'em - cash was put up front by Tony & by Ciara
All hearts were beating faster as the start was getting nearer!
The shore crew loaded up the boat with rice & ravioli
And Christmas Cake, and Mars and Twix, and pots of Guacamole.
Soup, and tea and coffee, plum pudding and creamed rice,
A bottle of Kings Ginger, and a bucket of allspice.
The skipper had a brand new suit – you could wear it going out dancin'
The name emblazoned on the front was that of Helly Hansen.
It took 2 hours to put it on – to a chorus of approval
(But the only way to get it off is surgical removal.)
At last the starting gun went off on a windy Sunday morning
The crew of course had all ignored the stream of Small Craft warnings.
We knew we'd get the boat around the circuit without fail,
Though some of us were heaving up our breakfasts at the rail.
Well we made it to the Tuskar, then wallowed off Mine Head.
(With Stugeron the sufferers had come back from the dead.)
Tom Dooley entertained us all as far as Fastnet Rock
And then we got the kite up, and took off like a shot.
The Helmsmans eyes were bloodshot, his face a mask of folly.
He thought 'this feels like Patricks hill in a three wheeled Tesco trolley'
He brought us down a massive wave (by this stage, s****** bricks)
When the crew gave out a mighty roar – TWENTY THREE POINT SIX!!!!
Well soon the halyard clutch let go, and the shackle cut the sheet
So we bagged the AP Spinnaker, and kept it at our feet.
We peeled from number three to four, and then to the storm jib
Still bound for Tory Island, and faster than a RIB.
The leg from Inistearacht up to Malin is a part
Of the circumnavigation that really needs a chart.
We reported to the skipper – we've got none for this area
But we have at least a dozen for the Gulf of Carpentaria!
By the time we got to Rathlin, we had to patch the main.
We'd flogged it half to death and it was suffering from strain.
We did the job with all the men and tools that could be mustered,
Then we all sat down and breakfasted on peaches, rice & custard.
From that point on we settled down for a long and steady beat
From Belfast Lough to Wicklow Pier, and all we did was eat.
We did our best and at the end the crew was quite replete
But the cupboards were still creaking with a hundred tins of meat.
We crossed the line, got off the boat, and partied until dawn.
Then (mostly) to the B&B and slept until the morn.
We scrubbed the boat from stem to stern, elation tinged with sorrow.
And all agreed that if we could, we'd go again tomorrow.
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Curtain Falls on BMW Round Ireland Yacht Race 2008
With the final competitor, Royal St George's Cassiopeia, in this years BMW Round Ireland, expected to cross the finish line within the next hour the action shifts from negotiating gale force winds and ever changing tides to the more difficult task of navigating the bar in Wicklow Sailing Club with too many pints of Guinness and Jumbo Breakfast rolls on board. WSC is famed for the welcome afforded to all returning boats and Cassiopeia can expect as enthusiastic a reception as record breaking ICAP Leopard and Overall winner Ireland West.
Overnight, Mumbo.ie was confirmed as winner of the demanding Two Handed class coming in a very creditable 8th overall against fully crewed boats.
Co-skippers Patrick Cronin & John Chambers were sailing to raise awareness for the Childfund Ireland charity. Please applaud their achievement by visiting the website: www.childfund.ie <http://www.childfund.ie> and consider some more practical help. Royal Irish YC's Slingshot and Jalfrezi from the Royal Western YC in Plymouth came home 2nd and 3rd respectively.
As signalled from very early in the race Team "Langer" of Nadie, McCarthyMotors.ie and Cavatina all from West Cork won the team competition.
In fact they were the only one of 11 three-boat teams to survive the conditions intact.
One of the most international entries in the BMW Round Ireland was that of Team Kingspan, a joint entry by Howth YC and St. Petersburg Sailing Union with 5 Russians, one each from France, New Zealand and the Channel Islands and only 4 Irishmen led by skipper, Matt Davis. Amungst the Russians was Nuclear Sub skipper Pavel, who has spent most of the last 12 years underwater rather than on land or sea, and Andrei - who very kindly said the the BMW Round Ireland was a better race than the Fastnet, he said "it has more challenges, different weather systems, tidal gates, the Atlantic Ocean, everything". Thank you Andei and hopefully we'll see you and a full Russian entry in 2010.
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Overall Winner of BMW Round Ireland Yacht Race Revealed
The Clubhouse leader of the BMW Round Ireland Yacht Race 2008 - Ireland West skippered by Aodhan Fitzgerald of Galway Bay Sailing Club - has been confirmed as the overall winner on corrected time in the last hour by Wicklow Sailing Club’s race office. While heading the leader board for most of yesterday it was still possible that boats still sailing could have overtaken him on handicap, however just after 01:00 this morning this was no longer possible. Out of the original 41 starters, 8 boats are still at sea, the majority of whom are expected to finish in the next few hours. Negative tides and poor wind prevented the smaller boats, who had been performing so well in one of the most difficult conditions in the 28 year history of the event, close the gap on their bigger, faster rivals.
Congratulations Ireland West, Aodhan and crew on a wonderful result.
Other placings in the race cannot be confirmed until the Race Office has received all declarations.
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BMW Round Ireland boats finishing thick and fast - and tired and hungry.
Nails are getting eaten in the Clubhouse and at sea as we approach the climax of the BMW Round Ireland Yacht Race 2008. In the Clubhouse Aodhan Fitzgerald ‘s Ireland West is in first place with Glyn Sheffield’s Dinamite-Tee and the trio of Kelliher, Lemass & Tennyson sailing Galileo in 2nd & 3rd places respectively. But those still at sea may still have a lot to say about that. Eric Lisson, two times winner of the event, skippering Ian Hickey’s Cavatina still holds first place on corrected time and can again take the title. Another previous winner, George Radley on McCarthyMotors.ie is in second spot and would love to recapture the trophy while Ireland west occupies third place on handicap. Also still in with a chance of glory are Ocean Spirit of Carlingford and James Tyrrell’s Aquelina. In Fifth place overall and first of the Two Handers is Mumbo.ie with Slingshot and Jalfrezi 2nd & 3rd in this most gruelling of classes.
Of the 46 entrants in this years BMW Round Ireland 19 yachts are still sailing, 11 have finished and 16 did not complete the course, five of those pre-start due to weather damage
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The race for line honours in the BMW Round Ireland Yacht race finished last evening with the remaining Super 0 class entries crossing the line at Wicklow within 30 minutes of each other. Taking second place after ICAP Leopard's record breaking early Wednesday morning finish was Adrian Lee's Cookson 50 Lee Overlay Partners, followed by Robby Milhench's Alburn and Piet Vroon's Formidable 3 in 3rd and 4th places respectively. All crews are to be congratulated on their performance in the most demanding race in recent years and will be welcomed into Wicklow Sailing Club with traditional hospitality - hot food, good drink and great craic.
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Record Celebrations in BMW Round Ireland Yacht Race
ICAP Leopard’s crossing the finish line of the BMW Round Ireland Yacht Race
2008 at 05:35:47 hours this morning was followed by jubilation on the water and celebration ashore by the welcoming throng. Wicklow Sailing Club prides itself in welcoming back every competitor day or night, with the biggest reception accorded to the First and the last to cross the line. Knocking more than 10½ hours off Colm Barringtons ten year old record, Mike Slade and his crew has set a very stiff challenge for future Round Irelands.
The other Super 0 boats Robby Milhench’s Alburn, Adrian Lee’s Lee Overlay Partners and Dutchman Piet Vroon’s Formidable 3 are duelling off Dublin Bay and are expected to finish later this evening.
With Line honours resolved in Leopard’s favour, the focus shifts the premier prize of the BMW Round Ireland - first overall on handicap. With the heaviest weather still in the Northwest the middle order of the fleet have closed on the front runners and top the leader table in the provisional overall results. At 18.00 hrs this evening Ocean Spirit of Carlingford occupies first place with past winners George Radley on McCarthyMotors.ie and Eric Lisson skippering Ian Hickey’s Cavatina second and third respectively. Wicklow’s friend and neighbour James Tyrrell sailing Arklow Sailing Club’s Aquelina is well up there in fourth spot followed by Aodhan Fitzgerald’s Ireland West. Great credit is due to the Two Handers who are competing as equals with their fully crewed rivals with Mumbo.ie, Jalfrezi and Slingshot, 6th, 8th and 10th respectively. The West Cork “Langers” (just don’t ask) seem unbeatable in the Team Competition with the above mentioned 2nd & 3rd and Kinsale’s Nadie currently in 15th overall. Incidentally, they’
re sailing for the Kinsale Trophy having won the previous cup three times in a row. The mystery competitor - Joker also from Kinsale YC - whose tracker doesn’t seem to have worked from the start are at Inis Mor in the Arran Island effecting repairs and will continue - if successful
Having come ashore after their record breaking romp Round Ireland, Mike Slade and his crew were entertained with a champagne breakfast in the sailing club hosted by Wicklow County Council with keen sailor Derek Mitchell of Bray Sailing Club and Chairman of the Council and Denis Teevan, Wicklow Town Mayor, in attendance for the presentation of the Line Honours Trophy. This was followed by a relaxing morning in Wicklow Town or copious pints of Guinness according to their wont.
Breaking News: Lee Overlay Partners seems to have stolen a march on Alburn in the last hour and looks like taking second place over the line within in the next few minutes, with Alburn also in sight followed by Formidable 3.
With all three Super 0’s arriving within minutes of each other some party is in prospect in Wicklow Sailing Club tonight. Follow the Race for Overall Handicap honours at:
www.roundirelandyachtrace.ie <http://www.roundirelandyachtrace.ie>
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Leopard Eats BMW Round Ireland Record
"ICAP Leopard on the finishing line to establish a new Round Ireland Yacht Race record"
At 05:48:47 hours this morning Mike Slade’s ICAP Leopard devoured a massive 10 hours, 35 minutes and 10 Seconds off the BMW Round Ireland Yacht Race record, completing a hat trick of records that includes the Fastnet Race and the transatlantic crossing. Near gale force winds - while not always favourable (bad wind is better than no wind) - helped the canting keel, 100 ft maxi power it’s way to a record time that will take a lot of beating.
The history of line honours in the Round Ireland begins with Force Tension in the first race in 1980 taking 5 days and just over 15 hours to complete the 704 mile course. Legendary Cork sailor Denis Doyle on Moonduster took both line and overall honours in 1982 & ’84 ultimately bringing the record down to just over 3 days 16 hours. While Moonduster took line honours again in 1988, her Round Ireland record wasn’t beaten until Laurie Smith on Rothmans knocked close to 4 hours off in 1990. Laurie Smith’s record stood for 8 years until Colm Barrington knocked a further 8 hours plus off the record in 1998.
ICAP Leopard has set a new milestone of 65 Hours 48 Minutes 47 Seconds and both skipper and crew greatly deserve to be congratulated on their achievement in difficult conditions and presents a much bigger challenge for others in the future - come back Colm.
Is Blackadder’s Baldrick at work in this years BMW Round Ireland Yacht Race?
Kinsale Yacht Club entry Joker’s tracker hasn’t registered since leaving Wicklow. Is there a “cunning plan” in prospect? Watch this space.
While the race for line honours is over, the race for the premier accolade of the BMW Round Ireland 2008 - overall winner on handicap - is still wide open, with Super 0 class boats such as Alburn, Lee Overlay Partners & Formidable 3 competing with Kinsale veterans, Nadie & Two times winner Eric Lisson on Cavatina, George Radley on McCarthyMotors.ie and Bjaysus, for God’ s sake, amongst others.
A delighted Mike Slade signs the race declaration forms for the new Round Ireland record in the company of Dennis Noonan, Race Organiser
Finishing Time: 25.06.08 05:48:47 (Local)
Total Race Time: 65 Hours 48 Minutes 47 Seconds
Old Record: 76 Hours 23 Minutes 57 Seconds
Difference: 10 Hours 35 Minutes 10 Seconds
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BMW Round Ireland Record at Leopard’s Mercy
Barring a stray lobsterpot or a nuclear submarine Mike Slade’s ICAP Leopard looks certain to break the BMW Round Ireland Yacht Race record early tomorrow morning. Having passed Mew Island this evening at 18.45 hrs she is facing into Southeasterly headwinds and north flowing tides in her quest for the Colm Barrington’s 10 year old record. North of Malin Head Lee Overlay partners is in second place followed by Ballyholme’s Alburn and Dutch entry Formidable 3. Just crossing Donegal Bay is Mark Wynne Smith’s Gusilliam followed by Royal Cork boat Nadie skippered by Cian McCarthy.
Bjaysus, skippered by Alan Hannon of the Royal Ulster Yacht Club, is leading the race on handicap with Lee Overlay Partners and Ireland West in second and third places respectively. Currently fourth on handicap is Jalfrezi - a magnificent performance for the short handed crew of Gareth Thomas & Brian Millea in near gale force conditions.
The latest retiree’s, due to the heavy weather, include WSI pulling into Bantry, Lascar into Cahersiveen, Jacana into Dingle and Ruffian and Star Dancer into Tralee. First of September is at anchor in a cove on the Dingle peninsula carrying out repairs which, if successful, may allow her to continue the race.
Is Blackadder’s Baldrick at work in this years BMW Round Ireland Yacht Race?
Kinsale Yacht Club entry Joker’s tracker hasn’t registered since leaving Wicklow. Is there a “cunning plan” in prospect? Watch this space. Oh! and follow all the action on:
www.roundirelandyachtrace.ie <http://www.roundirelandyachtrace.ie>
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ICAP Leopard Leading BMW Round Ireland Yacht Race 23rd June 2008
Having rounded the Fastnet Rock at 07.30 hrs this morning ICAP Leopard is leading the BMW Round Ireland Yacht Race as she powers past the Blasket Islands. Mike Slades superyacht’s quest for the race record is a little behind schedule as she needs to better 11 knots of boat speed to beat the record whereas she has averaged just over 9 knots over the first 24 hours.
In second place on the water but in 1st position on handicap is Dutch entry Formidable 3 skippered by Piet Vroon, closely followed by the other Super 0 boat Lee Overlay Partners. In second place on handicap after Formidable is Aodhan Fitzgerald sailing Ireland West ahead of previous race winner George Radley on VSOP. Current holder of the race title Cavatina skippered by two times winner Eric Lisson is well up the field in ninth place.
Of the 46 entrants in this years BMW Round Ireland only 41 managed to cross the start line at 12.00 hours yesterday mostly due to damage caused by the severe weather experienced on the east coast. Since the start three other boats - Legally Brunette, Inish Mor and Mighty Max - have been forced to retire from the race.
Mumbo.ie being sailed by Patrick Cronin & John Chambers is first in the Two Handed class with second and Third places filled by Slingshot and Jalfrezi.
Sailing non-stop for anything from 3 to 9 days in the BMW Round Ireland Yacht Race is a gruelling and relentless test of endurance and seamanship for all of this years’ entrants and those who’ve competed in the past but spare a thought for those brave souls who have entered the Two Handed class.
On a fully crewed boat the off watch sailors enjoy the supreme luxury of a few hours shut-eye even if in the Spartan conditions of most modern racing yachts. No such luxury for the two-handers who will be severely stretched “24/7” for the next three or four days.
With Met Eireann predicting up to gale force 8 conditions on the west and north coasts everything is still wide open for a record breaking attempt and an exciting finish to the overall handicap competition.
The GPS Tracking system is up and running for virtually all competitors so their progress can be followed in real time at:
www.roundirelandyachtrace.ie <http://www.roundirelandyachtrace.ie>
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To view all positionings of the boats click here
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Leopard on form and set to lead - Taken from www.roundirelandyachtrace.ie
Ranked alongside other offshore races such as the Fastnet, the Sydney Hobart, and the Newport Bermuda Race the BMW Round Ireland Yacht Race is always engaging and this year will be no different. Every two years, some of the best racing yachts from around the world congregate in Wicklow to compete in Ireland's premier offshore race.
When the entries closed last Saturday, forty yachts had entered, these include some of the newest and fastest racing yachts gracing our waters at the moment. The most famous of which is the 100ft super maxi, Leopard.
In the last week, with a top speed of 37.4 knots, they smashed the transatlantic speed record shaving eight hours off the current time to claim their second world record in two years.
Alongside her, also looking to break the record held by Colm Barrington will be a Russian Open 70, Alburn an Open 60, Lee Overlay Partners a Cookson 50 and the brand new IRC 63, Alegre, designed by Wicklow based Mark Mills.
As usual this year sees an impressive line up in the double handed fleet with eleven crews entered so far. These include 1996 winner, Michael Boyd, sailing again with Niall Dowling on Slingshot. They will face some tough opposition in the shape of Glen Ward and internationally acclaimed French sailor Marie Hercelin on the smallest boat in the fleet a Ker 30.9. Alongside these boats and the other crews we see the new Class 40, Gusilliam 52, sailed by Mark Wynne-Smith.
Special Feature
ICAP Leopard First Sail
Again in this fleet there are some other recognizable name and faces. Blackjack sailed by Darren & Clifford Nicholson is back again as is Laurent & Bernard Gouy on their new Kerr 39 Inismor.
This race doesn’t just attract some of the best international sailors around it also boasts many ‘local’ boats from across the island. Defending her title we see Cavatina back once again along with Arklow boat, Aquelina, Matt Davies on his Corby 41 from Skerries and Whitetiger from Kinsale.
With such a mixture of boats this will definitely bode for an exciting start line and race.
However, the BMW Round Ireland Yacht Race is not only about the intense offshore race; there is also an extensive social event for all the crew and spectators. The party kicks off in Wicklow on Wednesday the 18th and carries the whole way to the start and after, including complementary drinks for all competing sailors on the Friday night.
Follow all the action here including this year’s tracking system, supplied by RORC and powered by OC Technology.
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BMW Round Ireland Yacht Race finally starts after a 20 hour delay
The starting gun for the 2008 BMW Round Ireland Yacht Race was sounded at 1200 hours today to signal probably the most exciting and competitive contest in the 28 year history of Ireland’s premier offshore sailing challenge.
With a westerly breeze gusting 40 knots, Alburn, Leopard and Galileo were the first over the line followed closely by Lee Overlay Partners and Cavatina.
41 boats started this year’s race and three yachts have officially retired. This includes, from the Class Super Zero, Alegre and McConnell’s Chieftain and Voador from Class Two. The Kerr 10.7 sailed by Glen Ward did not make it to the start line as did Ulula.
The first boat to reach the Wicklow Head was Leopard quickly followed by Alburn as the big racing machines separated themselves from the smaller boats.
Can Mike Slade’s super maxi, current holder of the record for the Fastnet Race and the Trans-Atlantic crossing, and the other competitors in Class Super Zero beat Colm Barrington’s record? With the first yachts expected to check in at the Tuskar Rock within 4 hours this record could easily be broken.
You can follow all the action this year with our tracking system, supplied by RORC and powered by OC Technology at www.roundirelandyachtrace.ie.
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Further delay to start of BMW Round Ireland Yacht Race 2008
Due to deteriorating weather conditions the BMW Round Ireland Yacht Race Committee has decided to postpone the start of the race for a further two hours until 12.00 hours on Sunday 22nd June 2008.
Please check the BMW Round Ireland Yacht Race website for further details – www.roundirelandyachtrace.ie.
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Double Olympic Gold Medallist joins BMW Round Ireland Race
Torben Grael, the Brazilian hotshot sailor with 6 Olympic medals, including two gold, as well as several class world championship honours, has joined the ICAP Leopard team for the BMW Round Ireland Yacht Race 2008. Sailing since he was 9 years old, Torben has competed with remarkable success internationally in dinghies and also has considerable Round the World and America’s Cup experience on Ericson and Luna Rossa respectively. His addition to the ICAP Leopard teams attempt to beat Colm Barrington’s ten year old BMW Round Ireland record reinforces the international stature of Irelands premier offshore event which starts off Wicklow Harbour at 4.00 p.m. on Saturday.
While much of Torbens success has been in races lasting around 90 minutes, it will be interesting to see how he performs in a race that can last, for the slowest competitors, up to nine days. In addition he will have to deal with crucial tidal gates, constant weather shifts and veteran BMW Round Ireland sailors who can do it in their sleep, often literally. Local knowledge has often proved critical and past winners like Eric Lisson on Cavatina (twice) and George Radley on VSOP will use all their experience take the overall title. In addition he has serious competition for the race record from boats such as Ger O’Rourke’s Ocean Racing Team, Adrien Lee’s Lee Overlay Partners and others in the Super 0 class.
The pedigree of the entrants in the BMW Round Ireland guarantees that 2008 will be the most hotly contested ever. Follow every competitor at:
Photos from today's photocall with ICAP Leopard are available from David Branigan: dave@oceansport.ie 086 2537782
For further details on the BMW Round Ireland Yacht Race, please contact:
Barry O’Sullivan
Wicklow Sailing Club
087 2903944
OR
For photo or filming opportunities prior to the race:
Sarah Heaney, BMW Group Ireland
M: + 353 86 1742729
Email: sarah.heaney@bmw.ie
For all media enquiries regarding ICAP Leopard, including, footage and images free for editorial use, please contact:
Kate Fairclough or Annabel Merrison, Pitch PR
T: +44 207 494 1616
M: +44 (0)7789 268814 or +44 (0)7721 518411
Email: kate@pitchpr.com or annabel@pitchpr.com
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BMW Round Ireland Yacht Race 2008
Competitors
Alburn
Lee Overlay Partners
ICAP Leopard
Formidable 3
Team Kingspan
Inis Mor
Bjaysus
White Tiger
Jacana
Nadie
Gusilliam
Quite Correct
Jalfrezi
Dinamite - Tee
Ireland West
Aquelina
Cheetah Cub
Galileo
Lancastrian
Another Nods
Mighty Max 2
FMB Noyeks
Ocean Spirit of Carlingford
Slingshot
Earendil
McCarthy Motors.ie
First of September
Chancer
Cracker
Blackjack
Ruffian
Cavatina
Star Dancer
Persistance
Joker
Mumbo.ie
Cassiopeia
WSI
Lascar
Sarnia
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BMW Round Ireland Yacht Race Record at Risk
ICAP Leopard, the 100 foot super maxi yacht owned by Mike Slade, the largest boat ever to compete in the BMW Round Ireland Yacht Race is aiming to set a new record in this race, to<