Round Ireland yacht race under way with charity goal

Visitors to Wicklow Town at the weekend were entertained by the sight of 36 yachts and 300 sailors from France, the UK and Ireland setting out to compete in the Round Ireland Yacht race 2014.

There was immediate bad news for Cosmic Dancer 111 however as equipment failure forced the crew of the UK registered yacht to pull out early on Sunday morning.

Thirty-five yachts have continued on to battle for the title in the 34th year of one of the world’s toughest sailing challenges, with a battle quickly developing between 60-foot Teng Tools Kilcullen and the 70ft Monster Project.

Teng Tools took an early lead on the water with Wicklow Farmer David Ryan’s Monster Project battling throughout the night to get ahead.

In the early hours of Sunday morning, Monster Project surged ahead and the pressure is now on for the man known as “ Farmer Ryan” to keep up the pace.

Farmer Ryan and the Monster Project are taking part to raise money and awareness of “Care for Shane”, a charitable trust set up for Ryan’s nephew Shane whose life was dramatically changed when he suffered a severe brain injury as a result of a serious assault in August 2012.

Shane (24) is currently in a nursing home in Tuam Co. Galway where he receives round the clock care.

Money raised in this campaign will go towards the building of a unit at his home so he can be with his family, and for treatments currently not available from the HSE, to improve Shane’s cognitive function.

A television documentary is being produced to follow Farmer Ryan and his crew’s journey to achieve their goals and raise funds for Shane, due to be aired in the autumn on RTE.

A collection for Care for Shane took place as the race got underway. The primary goal is to achieve line honours in the race - first over the line for Shane. Donations to Care for Shane can be made through the charity website http://www.idonate.ie/1068_care-for-shane.html

Sailing enthusiasts can follow the progress of the race via Roundirelandyachtrace.ie or download the free race tracker app.