Team Hibernia have smashed the National and World Round Ireland Powerboat Record by taking over five and half hours off the previous record that had stood since 2009. The high speed voyage which began at 5am on Sunday morning was not without its hazards. Were it not for fog and a patch of bad weather, skipper John Ryan believes he could have shaved a further 45 minutes off the seven year old record.

Crossing the finish line off old head of Kinsale, Team Hibernia finished in a time of 12 hours 54 minutes and 24 seconds which included the time taken for the one refuelling stop at Malin Head, the most northerly part of Ireland.

Founder/owner of Team Hibernia and driver of this record breaking attempt is John Ryan who was supported his crew of Phillip Fitzgibbon, Denis Dillon and Sean McNamara.

This was a well experienced crew who have being involved in Powerboats and powerboat racing for many years. Between them they have raced in V24, Marathon, P750, T850 both Nationally and Internationally and have supported and taken part in many Powerboating activities.

Philip Fitzgibbon also set a new record by being the first person to set a new round Ireland Powerboat Record for the third time whilst still retaining the record in the under 30 ft category.

The craft used for the record by Team Hibernia used was a Scandinavian built by super light aluminium monohull Allblack SL44.

With a length of 12.175 metres and powered by twin FPT Turbo Diesels @1120 HP this craft was well suited to the mammoth task of setting a new Round Ireland powerboat record being capable of a maximum speed of over 100 mph and a range of up to 650 miles.

Although the crew were a little exhausted and possibly sore form from the journey, all the talk was about that the future holds for Team Hibernia and its next challenge.

In the meantime we have Alex making good progress with his walk round Great Britain and Ireland raising funds for RNLI and Eamonn walking round Ireland Bare Foot for Pieta. I feel I should get my push-bike out and join in. Anyone else planning to go round?

Photographs thanks to Jon Mathers of Cork Powerboat Training