Royal Cork yacht Cavatina (Eric Lisson), twice overall winners of the Round Ireland race is going round again in a bid top be the the first boat to win Ireland's classic offshore race three times. The news is one of a handful developments as the fleet gathers in Wicklow for the start at 12 noon on Sunday.

Paddy and John Loden sailing Psipsina were the winners of the RORC 'Morgan Cup' race to Cherbourg last week-end start as favourites on Sunday in the Round Ireland Yacht Race Double-handed division, a ten boat section of the 37-boat fleet.

With just 5 days to the off, it looks like the 2010 Conway Media Round Ireland Yacht Race will have an impressive total of 37 yachts participating in the country’s premier off-shore race.25 per cent of entrants this year are returning contestants hoping to make history on this milestone occasion.  With boats from France, Netherlands, UK as well as from all coasts of Ireland already signed up.  Race organiser Denis Noonan, running his 6th event, is confident this promises to be an interesting race.

“Cavatina has appeared to try and get that elusive third win and failing that, we are guaranteed a new name on the trophy, as they are the only previous winning boat entered.”

 

Skipper Eric Lisson (standing and thumbs in air) with the Royal Cork crew of Cavatina, twice overall winners of the Round Ireland race. The Cavatina crew will be competing again on Sunday. Photo: David O'Brien

Two of the favourites for the Round Ireland title topped out the RORC IRC overall listings last weekend at the Morgan Cup an overnighter to Cherbourg. The winning boat, Psipsina, was a double-handed entry sailed by Paddy Cronin and John Loden. They pipped Piet Vroon's Tonnerre de Breskens III for the overall trophy by just over two minutes on corrected time.

The largest boat entered is Celtic Spirit of Fastnet, a sturdy 72’ Cruiser/Racer which has been to the Antarctic in the recent past. Just behind them we have a real flying machine, Pride of  Rosslare Europort , an IMOCA 60, which will be expected to take line honours.

Local Wicklow boats are  Irish Popcorn  Pride of Wicklow, Noonan Boats Oystercatcher, both flying the WSC burgee and James Tyrrells latest Aqualina from Arklow.

The major focus of attention will be on Daft.ie with Mick Liddy and blind sailor Mark Pollock on board their two-hander.

Sailing Schools are also featuring with double entries from both Sailing West, Dun Laoghaire, Sailing Logic from the Hamble and a single boat from Conwy Yachting in N Wales. 

 Armchair spectators can follow the Conway Media Round Ireland Yacht Race on the Tracking system, supplied by RORC, through the race website www.roundirelandyachtrace.ie <http://www.roundirelandyachtrace.ie/> 

The Round Ireland is the longest race in the Royal Ocean Racing Club calendar. The first race took place in 1980 with only thirteen boats. Since then, held biannually, the fleet has grown steadily, and in the order of 40 yachts are expected to participate this year. The final date for acceptance of entrants to the 2010 Conway Media Round Ireland Yacht Race is this Thursday 17th June 2010

Wicklow businesses are hoping to follow the Galway example with the Volvo Ocean Race and build on the opportunity of hosting such a prestigious sporting event.  The Volvo Ocean Race stopped off in Galway for two weeks last summer and injected in the region of €50 million into the local economy.  Furthermore, the festivities surrounding the event attracted over  600 ,000 visitors from both abroad and other regions of Ireland. 

Wicklow has launched a gala Sailfest in the hope that the 30th anniversary of the Conway Media Round Ireland Yacht Race will have a similar positive impact on the area.

The local business community is fully on board.  Indeed the 2010 Round Ireland was without a sponsor up until recently with the previous arrangement – BMW – not renewing.  Local businessman Roy Conway, has now stepped in and taken up the mantle of title sponsor for both the 2010 Round Ireland Race and the Sailfest. 

Roy Conway already has a great affinity with the Race, having previously participated on a number of occasions. He is delighted to be in a position to be able to support the Race and the town

The Sailfest will see free open-air concerts from the American Drifters, Heathers, Luan Parle, Mo Hat Mo Gheansai as well as an extensive array of events for children including water sports, aeroplane, Drift Car displays and Bowling tournaments.  One of the major highlights is the Midsummer Mardi Gras ball at Wicklow’s Historic Gaol on Saturday 19th of June.  www.roundirelandsailfest.com

More on the Round Ireland Yacht Race:

Round Ireland Yacht Race 2010 Review

Round Ireland Yacht Race, Ireland's top offshore fixture

A Round up of 80 stories on the 2010 Round Ireland Yacht Race