Round Ireland Race: A Real Treat!
@sg.media
We expected the fleet to be battling through mist beneath leaden skies, battered by Atlantic swell and a relentless succession of low-pressure systems—conditions for which Ireland is famous. Instead, the Emerald Isle revealed a very different face.
Glassy seas, flat calm and fickle winds forced the crews into a tactical game, making the most of every breath of breeze to escape this Celtic trap.
Spanish skipper Pep Costa had assembled a formidable crew, joining forces with Pablo Santurde, Kevin Bloch and Louis Dubois. The quartet clearly enjoyed every moment, as Costa explained after crossing the finish line:
"I really wanted to do this race because it's so different from what we're used to. I also love the fully crewed format. This year, I want to spend as much time on the water as possible, experience different types of racing and learn from other sailors. The Class40 calendar made this the perfect opportunity."
"It was fantastic—both the race and the atmosphere. We received an incredible welcome, and the Irish are truly passionate about sailing. They put so much care into organising this event. We knew it wouldn't be easy with such a strong fleet on the water, but we wanted to sail a great race, we had an amazing time, we won... and we'll definitely be back."
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A "Pointy" Boat on the Podium
They enjoyed every minute of it too. Skippered by Djemila Tassin, the all-female crew aboard Magenta claimed an impressive third place, proving once again that the traditional bow Mach40.3 designs still have plenty of speed left in them.
"We absolutely loved it," said the Belgian skipper. "Beyond this fantastic podium finish, which we really had to fight for, it was incredible to discover these amazing landscapes. The light winds gave us plenty of time to admire every stretch of the Irish coastline. We also had an Irish crew member on board, who completely immersed us in the local culture by telling us about the coastline and the island's history. It was simply wonderful! We felt totally transported, and the welcome we received from the local people was extraordinary. It's definitely a race we'd love to do again."
Special Mention
A special congratulations goes to Antoine Carpentier and Axel Tréhin, who claimed victory in the IRC2 class aboard Courrier Pogo, skippered by Gerry Trentesaux
