FIFTEEN IRISH people have been named among the 43-strong team of men and women who will crew the 68-foot racing yacht, Cork, in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race which gets underway next September.
The team includes crew from Ireland, as well as entrants from the UK, Australia, South Africa and Canada. The yacht Cork, which is sponsored by various Irish tourist interests, will be under the expert guidance of skipper Richie Fearon (27) from Co Donegal.
“It goes without saying that arriving in Cork at the end of that last Atlantic crossing will be the highlight of the race.” said Mr Fearon.
This is Ireland’s first ever entry in the history of the Clipper race.
Setting off from Humber on the northeast coast of England on September 13th, the crew members will return almost a year later.
Their arrival home in July 2010 will mark the end of an epic challenge. The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race will call at 14 ports during their circumnavigation of the globe including La Rochelle in France, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, and Panama City.
Mark Markey, a marketing director from Clogherhead, Co Louth, spoke yesterday of his delight at being named in the crew.
“I’m really happy. Ever since Cork was announced as an entry I’ve wanted to be in this team. Today’s been fantastic. Our skipper Richie’s a great guy and we’ve got a really good group of people in the team. I’m doing Leg 1 and I’m on the waiting list for Leg 7, so I’m hoping I’ll get the chance to race into Cork city as well.”