Patches for sale

Sailing ColumnIt's a given in professional yacht racing that every boat is for sale if the price is right, so the news that Eamon Conneely's Transpac 52-footer Patches has been put on the market after 15 months is not unexpected.

Skippered and managed by British Olympic medallist Ian Walker, the sale of Patches mark 1 will make way for a new boat that will enter competition next season as the European fleet grows to 30 boats.

Launched in Cowes in June 2005, and named after the owner's family homeland in Connemara, the Galway yacht quickly established its pedigree by sweeping the top prizes at events around Ireland and Britain before departing for the warmer climes of the Mediterranean circuit.

Conneely's move to the Medcup scene was the acid test for his campaign and the results that followed defied many forecasts that this Irish-led programme would be brought down to earth by the tough competition dominated by the world's top professionals.

Patches won the TP52 Global Championship at the start of this season, and while it had a poor start to the current Medcup season, racing under sponsor Siemens' colours delivered two event victories from four regattas so far.

The latest victory was the prestigious Copa del Rey in Spain, a trophy sought after by the sponsor through various campaigns for seven years. Conneely's team delivered the result and topped off the return to the sponsor when the Infanta Elena of Spain was on board for the final race.

With a price tag in excess of €1 million, Patches comes in race-ready condition with the added attraction of an IRC configuration. Likely buyers range from older generation Transpac owners wishing to upgrade, IMS600 class teams switching to the TP52 circuit and others looking to Patches' IRC handicap potential.

Within weeks, a new design will be agreed for a fifth generation TP52 for Conneely that will be ready for the 2007 season.

Meanwhile, Conneely continues to sail in regular Galway Bay Sailing Club mid-week racing with friends on his 1720 Sportsboat Home Patch.

Nor will there be any pros on board this weekend when the annual regatta takes place at Clifden Boat Club.