Entries open in less than a fortnight for the 2022 SSE Renewables Round Ireland Yacht Race and there is considerable 'pent up' interest in the biennial ocean race classic that was last sailed in 2018.
Wicklow Sailing Club organisers have given 24th January as the entry opening date and are expecting a strong take up after efforts have been made to promote the race not only in the UK but also in France.
As regular readers will know the 2020 race was cancelled due to Covid when it had already attracted over 50 entries and was expecting a final fleet of 80.
Back then, Darren Wright of Howth had chartered the famous Pata Negra for the race. That boat has had considerable success since and is competing this month too, currently competing in the RORC Transatlantic. The new owner of the Lombard 46 is none other than ISORA's Andrew Hall from North Wales, a Round Ireland veteran, who may be very well enter the high peformer for the June 18th circuit.
The 2022 edition is being planned with relevant precautions in place to ensure a safe experience.
"We were anticipating a fleet of close to 80 boats when we had to cancel our 2020 plans," Race Director Kyran O'Grady told Afloat in December. "Now that we are learning how to live with Covid-19, there is pent-up demand on top of a surge of interest in offshore racing, so a strong turn-out is on the cards."
They are not claims made without foundations as The Wicklow race is now one of just 25 world-class offshore fixtures to make it onto the 2022 International Class40 calendar.
The Notice of Race for the June 18 event is here. It sets out the classes to race, the handicap and rating system that will be used and the classes to which it will apply, along with any recent changes to offshore regulations of which there have been some material changes as noted here.
The Irish offshore classic is the second-longest race in the Royal Ocean Racing Club calendar first race took place in 1980 with only thirteen boats. Since then, held biennially, the fleet has grown steadily, attracting a record 64 entrants from all over the world.
