Entries open for 2018 Volvo Round Ireland Yacht Race

From L-R – Denise Cummins - Commodore WSC, Kyran O'Grady – WSC, Theo Phelan – Race Director WSC, Roisin Hennessy – Chairperson Volvo Round Ireland Committee & David Thomas – Managing Director Volvo Cars Ireland © John O'Connor

The Volvo Round Ireland Yacht Race 2018, run by Wicklow Sailing Club, is a little over 5 months away and is expecting a strong turn out with very positive interest from the off-shore sailing community in Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe.

2018 marks the 40th year anniversary of the biennial race, renowned for being one of the most gruelling offshore races in the global calendar. The race starts on Saturday June 30th at 14.00 from Wicklow and leaves 'Ireland and all its islands, excluding Rockall to starboard', and is approximately 704 nautical miles.

It is the second longest race in the Royal Ocean Racing Club calendar and has grown strongly since the first race took place in 1980 with only thirteen boats. This sustained development and growth of the race is largely due to the passion of Wicklow Sailing Club, supported by the continued investment of Volvo in sailing in Ireland.

As part of Volvo's sponsorship of the race, they are rewarding the registered entrant who accumulates the best overall points result across the three Volvo Round Ireland races 2016, 2018 and 2020, with a brand new Volvo V40!

The current monohull race record is held by George David in Rambler 88 who completed the course in 50 hours 24 minutes and 9 seconds in 2016. And the course record is held by the Sultanate of Oman's flagship trimaran Musandam-Oman Sail of 38 hours 37 minutes and 7 seconds in that same 2016 race.

Looking ahead to the 2018 race, David Thomas – MD Volvo Cars Ireland, "Volvo Car Ireland are delighted to return to Wicklow for the 2018 Volvo Round Ireland Race. This is the third year that Volvo have been associated with this fantastic offshore race. At Volvo Cars, everything we do begins with people, from our commitment to safety to innovation. We like to support what we see as important events in the community where our customers live, work and engage in sporting activities as a central part of life."

Commenting at the launch event, Theo Phelan – Race Director Wicklow Sailing Club, "For the twentieth time WSC will extend a warm welcome this year to the fleet of entries to the Volvo Round Ireland. You are the race, and without your participation our volunteers labour in vain. It is your commitment to competing in the Volvo Round Ireland that opens the door of the race office and keeps it open until you are all safely back. The partnering with RORC to help administer and advise on the race is but one of the steps we have taken to streamline your participation in this great race.

A big "Thank You" to all who support our organisation in undertaking the management of the race with a special thanks to our title sponsor Volvo, the Royal Irish Yacht Club, my fellow Wicklow Sailing Club committee members and the technical team of the RORC, who have unfailingly supported the race office administration".