Sailing Round IrelandThe prospect of the Round Ireland monohull record falling this month was rekindled yesterday when the National Yacht Club invited superyacht skippers Roy Disney and Hasso Plattner to attempt the three-day speed record for the 704-mile course.
The billionaire owners have been invited by the Dún Laoghaire club to bring the two fastest yachts in the world to the south coast. They will bid for the Cork Dry Gin Trophy.
"If either Pyewacket or Morning Glory make a record attempt in the right conditions, they will annihilate previous times," claimed Cork yachtsman Mark Mansfield, a strategist on Plattner's Morning Glory.
The record is currently held by the Irish Independent Challenger. It was set in December 2002 during a solo run with a time of 3 days 2 hours, 7 minutes and 57 seconds.
The Mz86s,designed to demolish ocean sailing records, have already eyed up the Bermuda Race, Transpac and Fastnet records this season.
Before setting sail for Cork week, Plattner pushed ocean racing into a new era. He sliced five hours off the 635-mile race record from Newport to Bermuda.
Disney, who shattered the Transpacific, Bermuda and the Mackinac records in the same year, told The Irish Times that Pyewacket was well suited for a record attempt: "It would be the boat for sure. I think this is interesting," he said.
It is estimated the Reichel/Pugh design would comfortably break the sub-three day barrier. The 86-feet designs could take up to 24 hours off the record, making the 704-mile circumnavigation in two days.
National YC Commodore Chris Moore said it made perfect sense to suggest a record attempt while the two space age designs were in Irish waters.
Last night, however, it was unclear if either boat would make changes to their schedules to accommodate a last-minute attempt.
"Even if the schedule means they can't do at this short notice, I think the National YC should invite them again to challenge the next time they are in Irish waters," said Donal McClement, tactician on Disney's Pyewacket for Cork week.
The carbon yachts are due to depart immediately after the Crosshaven regatta finishes on Saturday bound for Sardinia.
The Superyacht circuit also include Malta's middle sea race and the St Tropez regatta.
To qualify for the trophy, yachts can sail in either direction around Ireland at a time agreed, starting and finishing at the Kish Lighthouse off Dublin bay.
The trophy is open to yachts competing in the Round Ireland Race and David Nixon's 02 Team Spirit, a Volvo 60 yacht, which missed lifting the cup by 25 minutes in last month's biennial race.
Timing and reporting procedures for all Kish to Kish record attempts are agreed with Irish Distillers and the National Yacht Club who provide officials to monitor and record the challenge.
Each challenge is accompanied by a donation to the RNLI.
