Key Yachting, the Irish agent for both J Boats and Grand Soleil, are delighted to note that, along with two Grand Soleil's entered, nine J Boats entered in this year's Round Ireland event commencing this Saturday.
The two Grand Soleils are both well known in Irish racing circles.
Bob Rendell's Grand Soleil 44 Samatom won its class at last year's Sovereigns Cup, and Denis and Anne Marie Murphy's Grand Soleil 40, Nieulargo from Royal Cork, was the 2021 Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race winner.
Both should be in with a good shout if the conditions are to their liking.
Bob Rendell's Grand Soleil 44 Samatom Photo: Afloat
Of the nine J Boats entered, the one to watch may be Michael O'Donnell's J/121 Darkwood from the Solent, which, along with Michael O'Donnell, will include several other Irish within her crew. Darkwood has been very successful in the RORC races this year.
Andrew Hall from the UK will race his J/125 Jackknife, which can be very competitive, particularly off the wind.
Chris Power Smith's evergreen J122 Aurelia from the Royal St George Yacht Club always shows well.
Michael and Richard Evans will compete in their J99 Snapshot, which won Sovereigns week overall last year. Two J109s, two J111s, plus a J105 make up the nine.
Mark Mansfield, Irish Agent for Key Yachting, wishes all the J Boats and Grand Soleil entries well in the race. Mark will be racing aboard Bob Rendell's Grand Soleil 44.
For further information on any Grand Soleil or J Boat, Mark can be contacted at 087 2506838 or [email protected]
