Although there are less than 10 boats officially entered at this early stage this number belies a strong mix of new racing designs in the wings for June's Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race that is expected to attract a fleet of over 40.
Headlining these entries is the defending champion Paul O'Higgins in the JPK10.80 Rockabill VI but as David O'Brien reveals in today's Irish Times Sailing Column, O'Higgin's clubmate Andrew Algeo is also entered with the brand new J99, Juggerknot 2.
In other big news for the 13th edition of the race, Michael Cotter will race to Dingle in his 94-foot Carbon Maxi Windfall, a yacht that has already won class honours in the Maxi Two division of the Les Voiles de St-Barth 2018 Regatta.
According to race organiser Adam Winkelmann, top ISORA contenders are also likely to be in the hunt with J109s Ruth (a former winner) and Mojito from Wales expected to contest the 300-miler. Chris Power Smith's J122 Aurelia is also in the mix as is the new Grand Soleil 34 Justina and George Sisk's new XP44 Wow!
Read more in today's Irish Times Sailing Column here.