#rounddalkeyisland – Plucky Irish kitesurfer Jade O'Connor will make an attempt to break the 25–minute Round Dalkey Island speed record on Dublin Bay this morning.
O'Connor, who produced a medal winning finish at the ISAF World Cup in Palma in April, is aiming to beat the current record set by National Yacht Club sailor Rory Fitzpatrick in a foiling Moth dinghy.
The bid is supported by the Royal St. George Yacht Club and, according to O'Connor, the forecast looks viable for an attempt at 11am. 'I need a N or NE to put in a good time. Although 10 to 14 knots would be an ideal wind strength she's keeping her 'fingers crossed' the forecasted eight knots will work'. O'Connor expects her velocity made good (VMG) will be lower at that wind speed but says 'on the other hand, the variance of windspeed and length of the wind shadow at Dalkey should be at its smallest'.
In her own words,O'Connor's bid is expected to 'live or die' in the notoriously tidal Dalkey Sound. 'Its a big ask to get a kite through the wind shadow of Dalkey Island while avoiding the stalled air on Sorrento cliff on the other side, but hey, that's the fun of a challange' O'Connor said.
