The French West Indian island of St Barts was in festive mood last weekend following the arrival of the 24 boats racing in the AG2R Transatlantic course. In particularly jubilant form was Ireland's Damian Foxall who, along with team-mate Sidney Gavignet, scored fifth overall in his most impressive performance to date.
The Kerryman's campaign began in earnest last year when he became the first non-French sailor to win the coveted newcomer award for the Figaro single-handed race that visits Ireland every summer. This prize included a valuable sponsorship deal with Elf that enabled the 28year-old to continue his programme.
His initial springboard to the almost exclusively French dominated single-handed arena came with the support of DHL Worldwide Express courier service but his acceptance into the scene can be demonstrated by the willingness of the French government to allow him participate in the Port le Foret training and coaching programme. The double-handed fleet of Figaro One-designs weathered 55 knot gales during their crossing, having opted to sail away from the normal trade-winds routes. Their 4,000-mile course took them from Lorient in France to Madeira, where each boat had a mandatory 84-hour stop before continuing to their Carribean destination.
Foxall and Gavignet had a good start but the loss of their Mini-M satellite equipment ensured minimal Met information. Thirteenth into Madeira, they restarted the following morning in the developing sea breeze and soon re-joined the leaders in fifth place. Before long, the entire fleet were battling steep seas and winds that wreaked havoc among the 30-footers.
While Foxall's Skipper Elf escaped with minor rig damage, others were not so lucky with boom breakage most common and some minor injuries. One helm was out of action below for several days after his tiller jumped off the rudder stock, bounced off the boom and smashed into his face. In spite of the conditions, the leading six boats arrived into port within one hour of each other.
A delighted Foxall said that he had been aiming for a top 10 result following his performance last season. His ambition remains to maintain this level this year, particularly when the Figaro race arrives in Howth in early August. Long-term, an Irish Open 60 trimaran is Foxall's goal, though for now his sights are firmly set on training in France and possibly holding some Open days in Ireland with his boat next winter.
Meanwhile, the first deadline for entries in the Cork Dry Ginsponsored Round Ireland Race has passed without sign of several of the larger boats expected, possibly for tactical reasons to keep potential rivals guessing following the widespread speculation as to the likely charters of high-performance ocean racers involved. The 23 entries received to date show strong grass-roots support as usual but with several notable additions.
First entry received is Jim Donegan's White Rooster from the Royal Cork YC with stablemate Moonduster, skippered by veteran record-holder Denis Doyle, an enthusiastic second. The biggest entry so far is Mike Slade's Longobarda, the 83-foot maxi that is once again competing as Bridgestone, the line-honours winner in the 1996 event, while Interlink Express/Today FM is a specially chartered Frers 50 sailing from the Royal St George YC.
Air Corps SAR pilot Tom O'Connor, skipper of Pause to Remember in the last BT Global Challenge, has chartered a new Prima 38, the winning design of the Hamble Spring Series. The Army SC have their first entry in the 704 mile classic with New Age Service, a first 42s7 more commonly known as the well-proven Sarah-J from Dun Laoghaire.
