An hour after sunset Philip Fitzgibbon and Mike Shanahan reclaimed their Round Ireland Powerboat Record powering over the Kinsale finish line to become the first team to set a sub 19–hour time for the circumavigation of Ireland. They finished in a time of 18 hours 38 minutes and 50 seconds.
By 7pm it was becoming obvious a new record would be set as the team passed Ballycotton but well offshore. It had been a brilliantly executed routing by an experienced team. By 7.30pm they were on target to break the UIM round Ireland record about 26 minutes ahead of the record, As unlikely as it may seem mid October, a month traditionally known for gales rather than calms, offered up perfect flat seas and light winds for the Kerry pair to make the attempt in their 7.5m craft powered by a 250hp engine.Map here. Last night a flotilla of a dozen RIBs or more plus a band of up to 60 well wishers brought the pair back ashore in darkness to celebrate beating a record set in similar conditions only a month ago by a rival team.
Philip Fitzgibbon (left) and Mike Shanahan reclaimed their Round Ireland Powerboat Record last night in Kinsale. Photo: Provision
