The second longest race in the Royal Ocean Racing Club 2024 Season’s Points Championship starts from Wicklow this Saturday, 22 June.

The 704 NM non-stop race has a simple course: “Leave Ireland and all the islands, excluding Rockall, to Starboard”. However the SSE Renewables Round Ireland is a complex challenge with numerous headlands to negotiate on the circular course as well as the ‘wild west’ Atlantic Coast of Ireland.

Organised by the Wicklow Sailing Club in association with the RORC, the first race took place in 1980 and the fleet has grown steadily. This year well over 50 teams will be vying for IRC Class wins and overall victory after IRC time correction. Multihulls will race under the MOCRA Rule.

The 2024 edition features an impressive entry of boats owned or sailed by RORC members including:  Simon Harris’ J’Ouvert, Michael O’Donnell’s Darkwood, Hiro Maru’s Hiroshi Nakajima, Richard Elliott’s Bug, Rob Craigie’s Bellino racing with RORC Commodore Deb Fish, Denis Murphy’s Nieulargo, Alan Hannon’s Coquine, Germain Williams’ Escapado, Eric De Turckheim’s Teasing Machine, Mark Emerson’s Phosphorous II, Trevor Middleton’s Black Sheep, Andrew & Sam Hall’s Pata Negra, Ross Hobson’s Pegasus of Northumberland, James Neville’s Ino Noir, Paul O’Higgins’ Rockabill VI, Steve Goddard’s Faenol, Chris Power Smith’s Aurelia, Robert Floate’s Tan It, Nick Martin’s Diablo and Greg Leonard’s Class40 Swift.

To follow the race, go to the official website: www.roundireland.ie