E4 - Winner of the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009

Ericsson 4 with Torben Grael at the helm - deserved overall winners of the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009.
Departing Galway on the 06 June 2009. Gallery to be uploaded soon.

The moment a virtual Volvo Open 70 set a new Round Ireland record!

VIrtual Round Ireland Yacht Race 2009

Could a virtual Volvo Open 70 sailing in real time, in real weather and in the same waters beat the circumnavigation of the island of Ireland 704 nautical mile Round Ireland course record of 65 hours, 48 minutes and 47 seconds set by Mike Slade's ICAP Leopard 3 in Wicklow Sailing Club’s Round Ireland Yacht Race 2008?

The inaugural Virtual Round Ireland Yacht Race 2009 was designed to answer that question. The virtual sailing race is underway and the arrival of the back markers in Galway is awaited.

The challenge started at 14:00 UTC/GMT, 15:00 Local Time Galway or 16:00 CEST on Saturday 06 June 2009 - same time as start of Leg 8 of the Volvo Ocean Race.

So did a virtual Volvo Open 70 break Leopard 3's Round Ireland record? Click on the logo above to go directly to the online dedicated race website to find out:

http://virtualroundireland.wordpress.com/

Ready for the Virtual Round Ireland Challenge?

CHALLENGE IS NOW UNDERWAY

The Cat Pounces!

Puma won the in-port race series in Galway yesterday (30 May) after two thrilling races were held on Galway Bay. This is the first time that Puma has been on top of the podium for the Volvo Ocean Race and it brings her closer to second place in the overall standings.

Sadly Green Dragon didn't breathe fire on the day but I was glad to see Puma finally live up to their pre Volvo Ocean Race expectations. Though easy to say in hindsight, there genuinely was a palpable sense even before the racing started that Puma was going all out to win this one. The harmony between Ken Read the skipper, crew and boat was a sight to behold. The result of their combined efforts placed them deservedly at the top of the podium for the day's racing.
Online Album of 1st Inshore Race HERE, or click on photo above.
Online Album of 2nd Inshore Race HERE,
lots more photos from 2nd race to be posted soon.

Volvo Ocean Race comes to Galway

The Volvo Ocean Race arrived in Galway at the weekend in spectacular style. Spent the early hours of Sunday morning 24 May 2009 with the many thousands who awaited the arrival of the race fleet and boy did the event live up to all the hype - and more! An online album to follow.

Had the very great pleasure of meeting 'THE MAN' near Spanish Arch in Galway on Sunday afternoon. For a man of his legendary sailing achievements I found Torben Grael to be quite friendly and approachable and completely devoid of any airs or graces. He even posed for a few photographs!

So get down to Galway during the race stopover and bring all the family. I guarantee you won't be disappointed. To find out what's happening, visit the dedicated Galway Stopover Website HERE

The Ferry 'LORELEY'

The ferry LORELEY (nearest to camera) majestically links The Island - home of Waterford Castle - to the mainland via the 'King's Channel'.
15 May 2009.

ISORA (Irish Sea Offshore Racing Association) Race 2 and Lee Overlay / RAYC Offshore Series

ISORA (Irish Sea Offshore Racing Association) Race 2 and Lee Overlay / RAYC (Royal Alfred Yacht Club) - Captain's Trophy Race: Dun Laoghaire to North Arklow and return (52 nautical miles).
Seen above is Windmill RStGYC - IRL 8088, a J109, which (having rounded the mark) made the call to head inshore to avoid the main flow of the ebb tide.
PHOTO GALLERY HERE (or click on photo above)
Credit: Weather data courtesy of UGRIB.

Oyster Farming at Woodstown Bay

Oyster Farming at ebb tide - Woodstown Bay, Waterford, Ireland.
14th February 2009.

Entombed in a Drum filled with Rum!!

Hocus-pocus or fact? Read about the weird and wacky story of Captain John Clark Monks HERE.

Reference: Weird Maryland: Your Travel Guide to Maryland's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets by Matt Lake. Published by Sterling, 2006. ISBN-10: 1402739060. ISBN-13: 9781402739064.