Hosts Wicklow Sailing Club, who first staged the event in 1980, have been preparing for the event for months in order to welcome the 53 boats and their crews, who will be descending on Wicklow Harbour for the 22nd edition of the race, which beings at 1pm.
At 704 nautical miles in length, the race is significantly longer than the Fastnet and provides quite different challenges.
Karen Kissane, Commodore of Wicklow Sailing Club, said: “Preparations in Wicklow are in their final stages now and excitement is ramping up, we are so grateful to have such wonderful volunteers, ready to step up and give so much time to get us over the line.
“I’ve heard many people comment that SSE Renewables Round Ireland is their favourite time in Wicklow. The sailors, the atmosphere, the colour, the warm Wicklow welcome, you can’t beat it! We look forward to welcoming friends old and new to Wicklow and hope that the weather gods look favourably on us.”
Members of Wicklow Sailing Club will also crew some of the boats entered in this year’s race.
“There are teams from all over Ireland, Britain and Europe. It’s going to be a truly magnificent spectacle of offshore racing” said Kyran O’Grady, Race Director.
Undoubtedly, the highlight of the event is the opportunity for visitors to take in the spectacle of the fleet of competing boats, all of varying sizes, as their crews assemble in Wicklow Port. From one of the most impressive viewing galleries that exists in Ireland, spectators will be able to watch the action of the start line unfold from the Wicklow piers and along the dramatic cliffs of Black Castle.
For lovers of music and live entertainment, there is a free, open-air live music stage at the Rock Around Ireland Party, with a BBQ and music from ‘The Flamin’ Mongrels’ at the Black Castle on Friday, June 21 from 7pm.
On Saturday, June 22, a family fun festival will take place at Black Castle Hill from 11am to 8pm, coinciding with the race start at 1pm. There will be bouncy castles and a fun fair for younger visitors and plenty of food stalls to keep everyone happy. East Coast FM will also be broadcasting live.
Wicklow Sailing Club is also thrilled to have SSE Renewables returning as title sponsors for the Round Ireland. Their support emphasises the significance of this event in the sailing calendar. The synergy between both race and sponsor highlights their shared passion for wind and excellence.
James O’Hara, Arklow Bank Project Director at SSE Renewables, stated: “It truly highlights the special place sailing holds for people of all ages in Irish coastal communities. We wish all the competing crews the best of luck and look forward to seeing them sail past our proposed development site at Arklow Bank.”
This 705-nautical miles yacht race features boats ranging in size from 30 feet to over 70. It is the second longest race in the Royal Ocean Racing Club calendar.
In the first race in 1980, 16 boats started out in Wicklow. The entry numbers steadily climbed during the 1980s and 1990s, with 61 boats crossing the start line in 1991.
The great Denis Doyle in Moonduster set a record time of 88 hours 15 minutes and 43 seconds in the 1984 race. This was to stand until 1990 when Laurie Smith in the maxi yacht Rothmans managed to cross the line in 84 hours and 56 minutes. Colm Barrington in his Whitbread 60 Jeep Cherokee beat this time in 1998 and finished in 76 hours 23 minutes and 57 seconds.
In 2008, Mike Slade in ICAP Leopard created a new record of 65 hours 48 minutes and 47 seconds. The current monohull record is held by George David in Rambler 88 who completed the course in 50 hours 24 minutes and 9 seconds in 2016.
This is a far cry from the first time set in 1980, and even further is the record time set by the Sultanate of Oman’s flagship trimaran Musandam-Oman Sail of 38 hours 37 minutes and 7 seconds in that same race of 2016.
