NUI Galway’s first student entry in the Round Ireland Yacht Race is still on course for honours.
The NUIG team is one of 37 entrants in the 700mile biennial race and yesterday afternoon, was lying in second place overall and first in class.
NUI Galway, skippered by Cathal Clarke, was rounding the most northerly point of the race, sailing at 6.9 knots yesterday afternoon. The race was being led by French boat Inis Mor, while the Green Dragon, skippered by Enda O’Coineen was struggling in the light winds past Tory.
The NUI Galway yacht also has sponsorship from Lifes2good, the Irish owned, multi-million euro global business with a portfolio of health and beauty brands.
The first yachts were expected back into Wicklow last evening, while here in Galway the finishing touches to the Volvo Ocean Race village were being completed. Two Irish sailors, who were crew members of the Green Dragon in the last Volvo race, will be returning to Galway. Damien Foxall is on board the French entry Groupama which is currently leading the round the world race, while Justin Slattery is with Abu Dhabi, skippered by Ian Walker, skipper of the Green Dragon in the last race edition.
