Sail Team Ireland West launched its bid for success in the 2000 Round Ireland Yacht Race on Monday night in the Discover Ireland Centre, Forster St.

The team has agreed sponsorship with Fáilte Ireland West and Ireland West Airport Knock for the forthcoming BMW Round Ireland Yacht Race. The 700 mile non-stop race will start from Wicklow on Saturday, 21 June, and crews expect to be racing hard for five days and nights at sea.

The team, drawn from Galway Bay Sailing Club, won the event in Class 1 in 2006, just missing out on an overall podium place due to light airs at the finish. "We've been preparing for this race for six months, and this sponsorship deal allows us to enter the final phase of race preparation with confidence" said Aodhán Fitzgerald of Sail Team Ireland West.

Speaking at the launch, Brian Quinn, Acting General Manager, Failte Ireland West said, "With a year to go to celebrations kicking off for the Volvo Ocean Race Stopover in May 2009, sailing is certainly moving into the spotlight in Galway. We see this as a great opportunity to further raise the profile of the Ireland West region as a premier outdoors and adventure destination. It is great to be back as the title sponsor of Team Ireland West after their great performance in 2006, and we are all hoping for a strong finish again this year."

The BMW Round Ireland Yacht Race is Ireland's premier offshore sailing event. Held every two years, it has attracted entries from Ireland, the UK, France, Holland, USA and New Zealand.

Robert Grealis, CEO, Ireland West Airport Knock said: "The airport is delighted to be associated with a team representing the West in this premier sailing event. We wish Sail Team Ireland West the very best of luck in their challenge and hope its 'plane' sailing for all concerned!"

Round Ireland solo sailor Larry Hynes has been instrumental in organising the Galway entry again this year, in a crew that includes some new faces like TG4's Darach O'Tuairisg.

"Getting to the start line can be the hardest part of an event like this" says Hynes "but these great sponsors make it easier to concentrate on our performance on the water".

The crew comprises: Aodhan Fitzgerald, Larry Hynes, Niall Spain, Seamas Moneley, Nigel Moss, Darach O Tuairisg, Martin Doran, Diarmuid McMahon, Tomas O Shea, Philip McCafferty.

Comments (0) »

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Title

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment