We cast the net wide in assessing just who might be thought of as Irish in the hundred crews still contesting the 2023 Rolex Sydney-Hobart Race as it emerges from its first night at sea. So even though navigator/tactician Adrienne Cahalane is reckoned one of Australia's
leading yachtswomen, the fact that she was born in Offaly and has direct links to Lough Derg YC sailors makes her very welcome on board all things Irish. For she brings with her - in addition to being one very able sailor - a law degree and a Masters in Applied Meteorology.
Thus with sometimes weird sailing conditions as the fleet settles into winds which are now mostly from the eastern arc, it's maybe no surprise to see that the 66ft Tasmanian-based Reichel Pugh-designed Alive which she is navigating is fourth on the water. This was after some time snapping at the heels of the leading Super-Maxis, but more importantly Alive leads the fleet overall on IRC.
Next best of the Irish squad overall is Will Byrne of the National YC on Sean Langman's RP 69 Moneypenny, currently 5th OA. This suggests it is a big boats' race for now, and indeed the hottest contender, Max Klink's Botin 52 Caro, with Gordon Maguire and Cian Guilfoyle on board, is back in 11th OA, but for now she has very firmly shaken off the challenge of Sam Haynes' TP52 Celestial.
KINSALE RAMPANT
Steph Lyons of Kinsale YC connections is currently having the race of her life as bowman on Richard Williams' Cookson 12 Calibre 12, as they continue to lead Division 3 overall, while fellow Kinsale sailors Cian McCarthy and Sam Hunt remain very much in the frame in the Two-handed Division with the Sun Fast 3300 Cinnamon Girl-Eden Capital, though having been in the lead initially, they are currently a close second and sometimes third to Rupert Henry's Lombard 34 Mistral and the Tasmanian boat Kraken III (Rob Gough & John Saul).
Mickey Martin's veteran TP52 Frantic with a strong Irish contingent on the strength in Trevor Smyth, Conor Totterdell and Cillian Ballesty has had her ups and downs but as we close for the night in Ireland, Frantic is definitely on the up in the Tasman Sea, as she lies 7th in Division
1, and behind them in 8th is the formidable Celestial.
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