Registration for the Round Ireland Yacht Race opens in less than a fortnight for the Ocean Classic in June

0

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 classic biennial ocean race which was last contested in 2018.

Wicklow Sailing Club organizers have given 24 January as the opening date for entries and expect a high turnout after efforts were made to promote the race not only in the UK but also in France.

As regular readers know, the 2020 race was canceled due to Covid after it had already attracted over 50 entries and was awaiting a final fleet of 80.

At the time, Howth’s Darren Wright chartered the famous Pata Negra for the race. This boat has seen considerable success since and is also competing this month, currently competing in the RORC Transatlantic. The new owner of the Lombard 46 is none other than Round Ireland veteran Andrew Hall of ISORA North Wales, who could very well enter the high performance of the 18 June circuit.

The 2022 edition is planned with relevant precautions in place to ensure a safe experience.

“We were forecasting a fleet of almost 80 boats when we had to cancel our plans for 2020,” race director Kyran O’Grady told Afloat in December. “Now that we are learning to live with Covid-19, there is pent-up demand in addition to a renewed interest in ocean racing, so there is a strong turnout.”

These are not unfounded claims, as the Wicklow race is now one of 25 world-class offshore competitions to feature on the 2022 Class40 international calendar.

The Notice of Race for the June 18 event is here. It defines the classes to be run, the handicap and ranking system that will be used and the classes to which it will apply, as well as any recent changes in offshore regulations of which there have been significant changes as noted here.

The Irish Offshore Classic is the second longest race on the Royal Ocean Racing Club calendar. The first race took place in 1980 with only thirteen boats. Since then, organized every two years, the fleet has grown steadily, attracting a record 64 participants from all over the world.

Share.

Comments are closed.