Waterford Harbour Sailing - March 2010

Local sailing boats Zoom and Slack Alice at Dunmore East (Copyright 2010 Sailpix Irelan

Local sailing boats Zoom and Slack Alice are back in the water at Dunmore East, County Waterford in preparation for the season ahead.
28 Mar 2010.

Photo Gallery HERE (Regular updates to be posted)

Map HERE

The 2nd Coming: Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12 to Finish in Galway

 Face in the crowd, Torben Grael, skipper Ericsson 4, Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09. (Copyright 2009 Sailpix Ireland)

Torben Grael looks pleased to be in Galway as he walks past one of the city's institutions - McDonagh's Fish and Chip shop, Quay Street. It had taken Ericsson 4 just over seven days, ten and a half hours sailing before arriving from Boston to a tumultuous Irish welcome just after midnight on Sunday, 24 May 2009. Over the next five hours or so the remaining six boats completed the 2,550 nautical mile transatlantic crossing to an equally rapturous welcome including home port hero, Green Dragon which arrived in 3rd - the team's first leg podium of the campaign.

Green Dragon skipper Ian Walker summed up the experience from the crew's point of view:

When I saw the welcome we received on arriving in Galway I was speechless but when we left 2 weeks later it was with tears in my eyes. I knew Galway was a great city and a city that loves to party but never in my wildest dreams did I think Galway and Ireland would take so much to the Volvo Ocean Race. I can only say thank you from all of us for such a wonderful 2 weeks... What fantatsic memories we have of Galway Bay and I look forward to returning soon. 

 
Following the huge success of Galway in the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09, it was today (10 Mar 2010) announced Ireland will again feature in the new route for 2011-12.  The fleet will race from Lorient in France back to Galway on Ireland’s west coast. 

Galway, whose twin town since 1975 is Lorient, has fought an intense contest against the other bidding ports to win back the event for a second edition and the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12 will complete its lap around the globe in Ireland’s ‘cultural heart’, where the final prize giving will be held. 

The Taoiseach (the Prime Minister of Ireland) Brian Cowen stated:

“The 2009 stop over in Galway made an abiding impression on the sailors, support crews, organisers and media, who were immersed in the warmth of an Irish welcome.

Their presence, in turn, had an enormous beneficial impact on Galway, the west of Ireland and indeed the entire country. Their arrival here was spectacular and their visit helped generate a massive 55 million Euros for the regional economy, more than one third higher than the original projections.

Given its economic benefits and its importance to Irish tourism, I am more than happy to welcome the return of the Volvo Ocean Race to our shores and pledge our support for the event”.

The stopover in Galway during May 2009 fuelled the public imagination as never before.  Over 600,000 supporters visited the race village during the stopover, with the crowd peaking at 62,000 people on in-port race day alone.  The seaside resort of Salthill drew a further crowd of 120,000 to watch the dramatic close combat race from the shoreline.

Green Dragon, Inshore Race Galway, Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09 (Copyright 2009 Sailpix Ireland)

Galway’s ‘home town boat’, Green Dragon, became Ireland’s second entry in the race - the first was NCB Ireland in 1989-90.  Double Olympic medallist, Ian Walker, guided the team to a fifth place finish overall and claimed the third spot on the podium when the fleet crossed the finish in Galway, delighting the huge crowd that had gathered to welcome them. 

“The interest in hosting the Volvo Ocean Race, particularly in Europe, has been quite overwhelming,” said Volvo Ocean Race CEO, Knut Frostad, as the last of the European ports was unveiled. 

“I am very proud to confirm Ireland’s participation and Galway will be a magnificent port to stage the finish of the event.  We have already experienced the enthusiasm that abounds in Ireland for the race and we are looking forward to bringing the competition to its conclusion in a country that really knows how to celebrate,” he said.

Today's announcement completes the list of European cities hosting the event.  The remaining ports will be introduced throughout March.


Galway Map HERE

Cometh the hour - 'Miss Scarlett' wins Race 6, the 2010 Series & the Jasmin Trophy in Dublin Bay Sailing Club's Spring Chicken

Grinding the jib, Miss Scarlett - IRL 4763 (Copyright 2010 Sailpix Ireland)

10:00 am, Sunday 07 March 2010, cometh the hour, cometh the final race of Dublin Bay Sailing Club's Spring Chicken 2010 - Race 6.

Starting the final race in 7th place and on 65 points for the series, the crew of Miss Scarlett - IRL 4763 (Jeanneau Sun Fast 40.3) headed for the start line outside Dun Laoghaire Harbour in the knowledge that, with two of the big guns in the Spring Chicken, Aztec - IRL 29832, RIYC, RORC, (Archambault 35) and Team Windmill - IRL 8088, RStGYC (J109) in joint 1st place on 52 points each, their own chances of overall victory in the series were slim indeed. Nevertheless, having already grabbed Line Honours twice (Races 2 & 3), albeit from the 2nd of 4 starts in both instances, the crew realised they had a fast boat on their hands and were convinced that, once everyone committed 100% to the cause, a podium finish was still within grasp.

Timing their run to perfection at the starting gun 'Scarletts' were not to be intimidated by Yahtzee's - IRL 1068 (Beneteau Oceanis 411) flying of Munster Rugby's Red Army colours or overly dazzled by it's shinier bottom - secretly cleaned by a submariner in the marina the previous afternoon! With most of the fleet heading inshore from the start, Miss Scarlett opted for the left side of the course and cleaner air and reached Muglins in front at the end of the first beat. Heading downwind however, the crew of Miss Scarlett could see the inevitable charge developing from the rear as 30 Something - IRL 3007, (Beneteau First 31.7) lying in 2nd on the course, was being steadily hauled in by two of the A35s, Adrenalin - IRL 1348 and Another Adventure - IRL 3511, RIYC and J109s, Indecision - IRL 9898, RIYC and Jetstream - IRL 8109, RIYC as they made their way through the early starters. Miss Scarlett, sailing under white sails, poled out the headsail and goose-winged towards Scotsman's and the slalom element of the course as her main pursuers flew kites with varying fortunes. The shifting wind and sloppy sea proved tricky for some and tellingly the downwind section of the course resulted in the undoing of the pre-race favourites. To the surprise of Miss Scarlett's crew, nobody ever threatened her comfortable lead and Scarlett rounded the 'outfall' mark clear in front before completing the course with a short second beat to the finish line between Mac Lir (Committee Boat) and West Pier, Dun Laoghaire. Line Honours were Miss Scarlett's for the 3rd time in the series but who would win the overall prize would be anybody's guess at that point.

Back at the National Yacht Club, the after race party hosted by series sponsor Viking Marine was soon in full swing with spot prizes being awarded by McWilliam OneSails, North Sails and O'Brien Press. As always the warm hospitality of the club and staff was most evident and well appreciated by all. The banter and fun enjoyed at Miss Scarlett's table was echoed all around the room but how many crews were treated to a special end-of-series home baking treat to celebrate the event? Thanks Christine! Little did you think you could have spared yourself the trouble of icing the cake had you and the rest of the crew known Dublin Bay Sailing Club race organiser Fintan Cairns was soon to provide the best icing of all by announcing not just 1st Place on the day under Echo Handicap ('Fecho' Handicap as has been irreverently attributed elsewhere in deference to Fintan' s unique system!) but overall 1st to Miss Scarlett in the Spring Chicken 2010 series and presentation of the coveted Jasmin Trophy (courtesy Philip Smith, DMYC) to skipper Anthony Keane.

DBSC Spring Chicken 2010 Overall Results available as a PDF download HERE

Podium: 1st: Miss Scarlett - IRL 4763. 2nd: Pippa IV - IRL 4281. 3rd: Aztec - IRL 29832.

Race 6 Photo Gallery HERE

Lorient to be Penultimate Stopover in Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12

Lorient, Brittany on the northwest coast of France will host the Volvo Ocean Race in the summer of 2012. It will be at the end of a 700 nautical mile leg from Lisbon. Lorient will be the penultimate stopover in the race.

Groupama, skippered by Franck Cammas, who is currently taking on the Jules Verne Trophy, has Lorient as its home base and will be France’s entry in the next two Volvo Ocean races. Ireland's Damian Foxall will form part of Groupama's crew as watch leader.

Damian Foxall on Green Dragon - Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09 (Copyright 2009 Sailpix Ireland)

Great YouTube video below showing what we can expect from Lorient HERE.

NOTICE - Scheduled Maintenance of Website

SAILPIX IRELAND Galleries will be undergoing scheduled maintenance on Friday, March 5th, between 07:00 and 13:00 UTC (Thursday, March 4th, between 23:00 and 05:00 Pacific Standard Time).
 Service may be inaccessible or slow during that time; apologies for any inconvenience. The Homepage/Blog will not be affected.
- Webmaster.

Change is not made without inconvenience, even from worse to better. Samuel Johnson 1709-84.

Update: Maintenance is now complete.

Dublin Bay Sailing Club Spring Chicken 2010 - Race 5

 Out in front, Finnegan's Wake - IRL 2008 (Copyright 2010 Sailpix Ireland)

Increased blood circulation was certainly in evidence on Sunday 28th February in Dublin Bay when DBSC's keenly contested Spring Chicken Race 5 went ahead as scheduled. The lengthened course this week seems to have played into the hands of the bigger boats in the 4th start. For the second week in a row Line Honours were taken in style by one of the more experienced racing crews, this time by Adrenalin - IRL 1348 (Archambault 35). Despite being pushed hard by Team Windmill - IRL 8088, RStGYC (J109) and last week's winner Orna - IRL 532, NYC (Grand Soleil 40), the race was testament to a near flawless mastery of the prevailing conditions by Adrenalin. Did the winners hold a secret weapon in the form of one or two new faces seen on board this week?!
       Further down the fleet the drama was equally intense as a close encounter between the series leader (at the end of Race 4) Pippa IV - IRL 4281, (Sigma 33) and Lula Belle - IRL 3607, NYC, ICC (Beneteau First 36.7) led to the former's sails luffing at the windward mark. With a number of other boats arriving at the mark in quick succession, including Miss Scarlett - IRL 4763 (Jeanneau Sun Fast 40.3), Fflogger - IRL 3773, NYC (Flying Fifteen), Lara - IRL 1902 RIYC (Bavaria 33) and Golden Girl -  IRL 139 (Ruffian 23), manoeuvring space diminished as pulse rates rose! In avoiding Pippa IV, which was by then in irons, Miss Scarlett - with nowhere else to go - gave the floating course mark a gentle bump. The incident cost Miss Scarlett a 360 penalty, carried out once clear of her pursuers. Pippa IV quickly recovered and with a slick spinnaker heist was back into the fray. No harm done, just more grist to the mill and added spice to the burgers in the après sail analysis back at the National YC!
      Finnegan's Wake - IRL 2008, NYC (Grand Soleil 37) was Race 5 winner on corrected time.  Meanwhile Team Windmill and Aztec - IRL 29832, RIYC, RORC, (Archambault 35) moved into joint overall 1st place on 52 points in this year's Spring Chicken series but have they peaked too soon? Sarnia - IRL 2260, NYC (S&S 36) lies in 3rd on 53 points. With Pippa IV and Valhalla - IRL 1273, RIYC (Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32i) lying in equal 4th on 58 points the stage is set for a thrilling climax in next Sunday's DBSC Spring Chicken 2010 - Race 6.

Race 5 Photo Gallery HERE

Lisbon to be end of Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12 Transatlantic Leg

Lisbon has been chosen as the first European port for the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12. It will be the finish of the transatlantic leg of the race during the summer of 2012. The second European port will be announced on Wednesday 03 March. The entire route will be revealed by the end of the month.

What odds now on a return visit of the Volvo Ocean Race to Galway in 2012?