Wicklow Sailing Club has postponed by two months the start of the 2020 SSE Renewables Round Ireland Yacht Race due to the COVID-19 epidemic.

The new start date for the 704-mile race will be Saturday 22nd August 2020, subject to government guidelines.

The decision follows speculation about whether or not the race would go ahead on its original June 20th date, as other major Irish sailing fixtures either side of the Round Ireland race such as Royal Cork's Cork Week and 300th celebrations and Howth's Wave Regatta had already been either cancelled or rescheduled. 

The new date – some 63 days later than originally scheduled – will mean less daylight for competitors who usually race with the benefit of longer days and shorter nights at midsummer.

Wicklow Sailing Club Commodore Kyran O’Grady who is also the Round Ireland Race Director

"Even under the most optimistic scenario, our traditional start date of mid-June would not be possible," commented Kyran O’Grady, Race Director at Wicklow Sailing Club. "However, we believe that there is a suitable late-Summer fixtures window that can still deliver a great race. We will keep updated guidelines under constant review as we plan for the new date."

More than 40 entries from around Ireland and further afield have already been received for the original start date. Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, indications that a record fleet of more than 60 boats was expected. Wicklow SC organisers will begin contacting all the interested crews to assess their availability and requirements for the new date.

“Postponing the SSE Renewables Round Ireland is the correct course of action as safety is our first priority," commented Barry Kilcline, SSE Renewables’ Director of Development. "We remain committed to working with Wicklow Sailing Club on preparations for the new August date and the prospect of an exciting race."

The first Round Ireland Race was sailed in 1980 and since then hundreds of crews have entered what is regarded as the "Kilimanjaro of Sailing" as the course offers a range of obstacles and challenges. Simply finishing the race that can take up to a week for some boats is regarded as an achievement in itself.