Sprint to Kerry as 250 sailors begin Volvo Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race
by David Branigan / Oceansport 11 Jun 19:30 BST
11 June 2025
Part of the 41 boat fleet starting the 300 nautical-mile Volvo Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race © David Branigan / Oceansport
A fleet of 41 entries started the biennial Volvo Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race (D2D) this afternoon (Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin - Wednesday 11th June 2025) marking a near maximum capacity turnout for the 300 nautical mile course.
Dun Laoghaire's East Pier provided the ideal grandstand for the race start at 2pm that saw around 250 sailors begin their dash southwards to the famous Muglins Rock off Dalkey Island.
The fastest boats stand to gain most provided their can complete the 70 nautical-mile stage to the Tuskar Rock lighthouse off the coast of Co. Wexford where ideal wind conditions are forecast for later this evening.
The leaders stand to gain most once past the Saltee Islands for a sleigh-ride along the Waterford coast towards Cork and the finishing-line off the scenic Dingle peninsula.
While 2023 race winner Ron O'Hanley's Privateer is not defending this year due to Admiral's Cup duties in Cowes, Isle of Wight the field is wide open for potential winners ahead of the weekend prize-giving hosted by the Dingle Skellig Hotel.
Frank Whelan's Wicklow entry Opal is likely to lead the fleet as the largest entry and can be expected to lead the fleet southwards in ideal conditions.
Paul O'Higgins well proven Rockabill VI will be hoping that the fresh conditions on the south coast will deliver their ideal speed sailing conditions to match Denis and Annamarie Fegans' Cork entry Nieulargo as well as Conor Doyle's Freya from Kinsale.
Both will be watchful of John Treanor on Valentina along with a clutch of competitive offshore racing boats from Dublin including Chris Power Smith's Aurelia and Mike Evans Howth entry The Big Picture.
Welsh interest amongst the contenders includes Vicky Cox and Peter Dunlop's Mojito as well as Andrew and Sam Halls' highly experienced Pata Negra.
"We have a near capacity entry featuring numerous highly competitive entries," commented Adam Winkelmann, Race Director with the organising National Yacht Club. "This race is the ideal length and a real challenge lies ahead over the coming 2-3 days."
The Volvo Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race is recognised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) as a qualification race ahead of the Rolex Fastnet Race later this Summer that will mark the centenary of the classic 695 nautical mile race that sails around the legendary lighthouse off the West Cork coast in late July.
Find out more at www.d2drace.ie