Barrington plans to regain round-Ireland record

SAILING/Column: Less than two weeks after Gary Keegan and his team on Irish Independent Challenger established a new monohull record for the circumnavigation of Ireland, a bid by previous record holder Colm Barrington is already at an advanced stage of planning. At least two other campaigns are also known to be considering an attempt.

The new record, set during a lull in the recent stormy conditions, managed to shave 56 minutes off Barrington's 1998 time, set during the Cork Dry Gin Round Ireland Race. That earlier record of 76 hours, 23 minutes and 18 seconds bettered a 1990 time of more than 10 hours longer by Whitbread race veteran Lawrie Smith.

Keegan's time has now been submitted to the World Speed Sailing Record Council for ratification early in the new year.

A source close to Barrington's campaign has confirmed that the team has looked at two definite charter options and is close to concluding a deal for a likely record attempt in March. It is understood that planning commenced within hours of the new record time being set at 01.34 on Sunday December 1st.

The first option is one of the most famous 60-foot yachts in the world. The Open 60 Kingfisher carried Ellen MacArthur around the world in the Vendee Globe to finish second overall. Last month, the British yachtswoman won the Route de Rhum transatlantic race, beating the faster multihulls and reaffirming the 27-year-old as a French national hero and among the best known sporting figures in Britain.

However, a snag has emerged in that Kingfisher cannot be insured for record-breaking attempts and it is understood that a £100,000 sterling bond would be required to bring the boat to Ireland. It is not clear whether Kingfisher's regular skipper would take part, although her presence on board would be a significant boost to a potential sponsor. The boat would be raced by a full crew and not single- or short-handed.

Barrington's other option appears more realistic. Having set his record in 1998 on Jeep Cherokee (aka Toshiba), a battle-fresh Whitbread 60-footer, the Dun Laoghaire yachtsman is likely to stick to this class on board Newscorp, the Volvo Ocean Race 60-footer skippered by Jez Fanstone.

The resurgence of interest in offshore racing in Ireland is to be welcomed, especially after recent developments regarding the Admiral's Cup. The latest issue of the Afloat Sailing Yearbook carries an extensive report on the Royal Ocean Racing Club's (RORC) decision to move the event back to Cowes.

A copy of the original signed agreement placing responsibility for race management clearly with the RORC is reproduced and the report also carries a quote from RORC committee member Donal McClement, who has changed his position with regard to responsibility for the affair.

Offshore racing is also featured in a report on the Rolex Commodores' Cup which fielded two Irish teams. Cracklin' Rosie crew-member David Nixon gives an analysis of the Irish performance and calls for the establishment of proper support for this branch of sailing which for so long been the bedrock of the sport in Ireland.