THE POPULAR trend towards `pay as you go' ocean racing goes into the final stages of preparations at Southampton this weekend for more than 180 amateur sailors in the BT Global Challenge. This is the second time the race is being organised and it is has grown thanks to the momentum of the first successful event in 1992.
Originally greeted with disdain from the establishment and media, Chay Blyth's formula of bringing totally inexperienced crews, mostly comprising non sailors into an ocean environment, has proven so popular that it has sent the cynics scurrying
Awareness of newcomers' ability has seen a realistic approach to training: with all crew and skippers possessing matched ability, the 14 boat fleet of one design cruiser/racer, steel hulled 67 footers can expect level and fair racing over the coming 10 months.
Apart from amateur status, little else differs between these crews and those of the professionals on events such as the Whitbread or solo races. Another unique factor in this event is that the race sails into, rather than with, the prevailing weather, leading some to dub the course "the wrong way around the world race."
Irish interest this time may be limited to just one sailor but as skipper of Pause to Remember, representing the Royal British Legion, Captain Tom O'Connor of the Air Corps is a fitting representative, filling a distinguished role in this growing event. The 31 year old Cork search and rescue helicopter pilot is on a year's leave fulfilling a teenage ambition to sail around the world.
After an interview with Blyth last year, skipper assessment followed in the autumn. All the potential skippers were put through their paces and two psychologists also assessed each candidate while leading a crew in different situations. In addition to a minimum 15,000 miles experience and a yachtmaster ocean certificate, Blyth was also impressed by the Air Corps Sailing Club's first place result in the Sigma 38 division of the 1994 Round Ireland race which O'Connor skippered.
Meanwhile, although the Autumn Series has only just embarked on its six week run of short, sharp racing on Sunday mornings at Howth, the 1720 Sportsboats cannot get enough racing now that their fleet has finally got off the ground on a national basis. Following quickly on the east coast championships earlier this month at Dun Laoghaire, nearly 20 boats from Cork and Dublin are competing on Saturdays in addition to their other weekend commitment.
Competition is predictably close and the fleet is peppered with talented sailors including several Olympians, both from yesteryear and this year's event in Savannah. Mark Mansfield leads both the Autumn league and the Saturday event from the Tom Roche/Robert Dix/Tom Power owned Lemon by a good five point margin.
However, the Dublin boat is fouling the chances of a good thrashing by the Cork experts with Round the Island Race winner Anthony O'Leary's Sinkin Whiskey close by in third and the Mel Collins helmed Mica Milanite in fourth.
