Round Ireland Race 2024

June 17th

I did this race onboard the MOD70 a few years back and it was full on. Probably the best conditrions you could ask for on the west coast. However this year was also absolutely glamour. Started in sunny conditions flat sea with wind blowing from SW gusting into 26's. So it was amazing sailing down to the Fastnet with plenty on sandbanks to naivigate making the way S past Carnsore point. Rounded the rock in light dropping conditions and makes a change to be this side of the Fastnet rock:)

Forecast was for building breeze backing round to SW again as a new low pressure rolled through N of ireland giving us perfect downwind slay ride down the west coast. We banged into the coast with peaks of 30kts and the old girl flew down the coast.

With a converging breeze at the N of Ireland going around and through past Rathlin island was due to be exciting. We managed to just get through with the tide before it went 6-8 kts on the nose with light breeze in convergence zone of SW and SE. Sea state was pretty funky close to the island and not a place to be going backwards!

We slipped through due to Paul somehow finding a lucky groove in the breeze direction and getting the boat rolling This ment we snuck through into the building downwind conditions from the North all the way to the finish in flat seas. Great race and cool people. The Irish were super cool people shoreside.