Please select your home edition
Edition
Palm Beach Motor Yachts

Sparkling start to 705 nautical mile SSE Renewables Round Ireland at Wicklow

by Wicklow Sailing Club 22 Jun 2024 10:54 PDT 22 June 2024
Aurelia (left) entered by Chris Power Smith competing for the Royal St. George Yacht Club leads a group of boats at the start of the SSE Renewables Round Ireland Race © David Branigan / Oceansport

Thousands of spectators lined the pier and coast at Wicklow this afternoon (Saturday 22nd June 2024) for the start of the 705 nautical mile SSE Renewables Round Ireland Race that has attracted an international fleet of 48 starters.

However, the starters list was quickly reduced by one boat as Finbarr O'Regan's Artful Dodger from Kinsale suffered mast damage and withdrew from competition.

The remaining boats quickly headed away from the starting vessel, the Irish Naval Service vessel LE George Bernard Shaw boosted by the ebbing tide.

French entry Teasing Machine was first to pass the famous Wicklow Head landmark but the chasing pack soon spread out as the race passed the Arklow Bank wind turbines.

Although conditions were initially quite choppy, lighter winds are expected for tomorrow as the leading boats pass the south coast.

The fastest boats in this year's race are expected to be the multihull entries that could be back to the Wicklow finish by Monday.

However, the race is decided on corrected time, a form of handicapping that allows smaller and less exotic crews a chance at winning the overall trophy and is limited to single-hull boats.

Ahead on the race course lies a series of challenges for the 292 crew-members ranging from fatigue and sunburn to navigation hazards and the for the unlucky few, some inevitable seasickness.

Beating the course record of just over 50 hours, set by American George David on Rambler 88 in 2016 is almost impossible as none of the 47 competitors are close in terms of size.

Instead, the focus is on the overall win and the first contender for the prize is not expected before Wednesday at the earliest.

At teatime this evening (6pm IST) the leading boats were passing Carnsore Point off the Wexford coast.

For more information and the race tracker please visit roundireland.ie

Related Articles

America's Cup: Italy's five boat Challenge
‘Il Moro di Venezia', a five-boat programme left no stone unturned The transition from colourful and applauded challenges of 1983 and 1987, to Challengers for the XXVIII America's Cup in San Diego, was a pivotal moment in the history of Italy in the competition. Posted on 23 Jul
Admirals Cup: Leader board changes - Day 3
The wind and the leaderboard did the big switcheroo on the third day of racing in the Admirals' Cup The wind and the leaderboard did the big switcheroo on the third day of racing in the 2025 Admirals Cup, but otherwise the rich got richer on the regatta leaderboard. Posted on 23 Jul
Rolex Fastnet Race: Upwind to the Fastnet Rock
The long range forecast for this year's race shows more benign conditions Teams that competed in the last two Rolex Fastnet Races and are returning for this Saturday's special centenary edition will be breathing a sigh of relief looking at the long term forecast. Posted on 23 Jul
Classic Yacht Challenge Series heads to Maine
With Boothbay Harbor and Camden Regattas The summer classic sailing season has taken over the waters of the Gulf of Maine recently, with last weekend's Boothbay Harbor YC Regatta and Shipyard Cup and the upcoming Camden Classics Cup, both events in the CYOA's Classic Yacht Challenge Series. Posted on 23 Jul
Admiral's Cup Inshore Racing Day 2
Beau Geste and Nola rise in shifty Solent showdown Race Four of the Admiral's Cup brought a tactical masterclass in light airs to the Central Solent. PRO Stuart Childerley set a windward leeward course for both classes, 1.6nm for AC1 and a shorter 1.4nm for AC2. Posted on 23 Jul
NYYC International Women's Championship update
The final group of five invited skippers is announced The final group of skippers to be announced for the 2026 New York Yacht Club International Women's Championship radiates enthusiasm for this groundbreaking opportunity in one of the world's most famous sailing cities. Posted on 23 Jul
Admiral's Cup David Maynard Wednesday Gallery
A quieter day on the Solent for the international fleet Wednesday's Admiral's Cup inshore racing in the Solent didn't quite have the wind of yesterday, but David Maynard was out on the water to catch the action in the morning before the wind switched off for a while. Posted on 23 Jul
Sam Goodchild announced as Henri-Lloyd Ambassador
One of Britain's finest offshore racers has chosen the British sailing apparel brand As one of Britain's finest offshore racers, it is fitting that Sam Goodchild has chosen to become an ambassador for British sailing apparel brand, Henri-Lloyd. Posted on 23 Jul
Admiral's Cup Tim Jeffreys Tuesday Photo Gallery
Enjoy getting this close to the action with his shots! Another great gallery of Admiral's Cup photos from Tuesday's inshore racing has arrived in our inbox, this time from Tim Jefferys. Enjoy getting this close to the action with his shots! Posted on 23 Jul
Trimaran SVR-Lazartigue set for Rolex Fastnet Race
Peter Burling joins Tom Laperche and Franck Cammas on record breaking Ultim Skippered by Tom Laperche, the Trimaran SVR-Lazartigue will line up this Saturday, July 26, for the Rolex Fastnet Race - a legendary event the team won in 2023, setting a new race record. Posted on 23 Jul
C-Tech 2021 America's Cup 728x90 BOTTOMSelden 2020 - FOOTERArmstrong 728x90 - Wing FG Board Range - BOTTOM