SAILING: One of Ireland's foremost rising stars in the world of offshore and oceanic racing begins a new phase in the next few weeks just as the epic Route de Rhum transatlantic stage reaches its conclusion off Guadaloupe in the French Caribbean.
Air Corps Search and Rescue pilot Capt Mick Liddy, who is a past holder of two Round Ireland records, has been given official Army clearance to take leave of absence to campaign on the international short-handed sailing circuit.
The Kildare sailor is likely to depart for the Caribbean after Christmas to assist with the return delivery of either an Open 40 or 60-footer to gain valuable long-distance and deep ocean solo sailing experience.
Following this passage, prospects of participating in various high-profile international events are very strong for the coming 12 months.
"I'm looking forward to becoming a full-time sailor and am very grateful to the Defence Forces for giving me the opportunity to take on this challenge," Liddy told The Irish Times yesterday.
His principal task is to build up his long-distance sailing experience and envisages 10,000 miles of deep ocean passages such as transatlantic crossings comprising solo or short-handed sailing.
But his task is not simply a matter of logging miles. A key challenge is mental preparation such as learning decision-making in lone environment.
Another is achieving restful sleep patterns which usually means solo sailors taking breaks of around 20 minutes regularly when their work routine allows.
"Sometimes when it's windier, its easier to rest because you just have three reefs in the mainsail plus a number four headsail," Liddy said. "In lighter weather there's more work involved getting the most out of the boat to gain a 10 or 15 per cent improvement in boat speed. There's more methodology and planning involved in sail changes and its slower to avoid damaging the boat."
Next weekend will see the annual Irish Cruiser Racer Association conference switch from its usual venue in Kilkenny to the western seaboard and Galway's Great Southern Hotel on Saturday, November 25th, at 10.15am.
The conference will feature presentations from Jochim Visser and John Corby as well as reviews of the year's activities including the Saab Cruiser Nationals and a video feature of Ger O'Rourke's class-winning Cookson 50-footer Chieftain competing in the Sydney to Hobart Race.
Also up for discussion are the three Irish teams that competed in the Rolex Commodore's Cup in Cowes that ended in a narrow and controversial defeat at the start of July. However, according to ICRA's Fintan Cairns, there is "no question" regarding Ireland's future participation in this event as it's currently the only principal international event for boats of this kind.
At the Etchells Worlds in Fremantle, Western Australia, Howth Yacht Club was confirmed as the venue for the 2010 championship by the class governors yesterday.
ICRA Boat of the Year (short-list of nominees): Jump Juice - Conor and Denise Phelan; Tiamat - Tim Costello; No Naked Flames - Andrew Allen and Colm Monahan; Chieftain - Ger O'Rourke; Blondie - Eamonn Rohan; Marinerscove.ie 2 - Dave Dwyer; Siemens Patches - Eamonn Conneely; Checkmate - Mike MacCarthy; Antix - Anthony O'Leary; Magic Glove - Colm Barrington.
