Round Ireland record bid has been abandoned

by Afloat.ie on 24 Mar 2013 This morning's Round Ireland record attempt has been abandoned and Damian Foxall and the crew of the MOD70 who sheltered off the Welsh coast in freezing conditions last night are returning to Lorient, France directly this morning. The disappointing news came from Skipper Sidney Gavignet in an email to World Speed sailing commissioner Chris Moore who was standing by to officially start the record challenge at the National Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire this morning.

Dear Chris,

We will not attempt the record this time, we are aiming back to Lorient. Conditions are 'almost' ok, but we prefer to play the safe decision. Hopefully we will come back later in the year, in better conditions.

All our team thanks you a lot for all your efforts, we regret we won't see you but it will happen later.

Best regards

Sidney Gavignet

Gavignet, Foxall and a four man professional crew had originally targeted last Thursday as the optimum start time off the Kish lighhouse but the 1000km delivery trip from Lorient was delayed by 24 hours. They eventually left the French port at tea time on Thursday and endured strong winds and heavy seas on their voyage across the channel and up the Irish Sea, eventually running for shelter under bare pole into Cardigan Bay yesterday (Friday) afternoon.

Last night the crew were enjoying their first hot meal in 24 hours and were obviously considering their options overnight.

'Still gusting 40 knots, but flat seas. It is very cold, snow on the mountains. Right now Sidney and Thomas Le Breton are having their first hot meal of the day! Spirits are up and all is Read more here