In this year's fleet are some other recognizable name and faces. Blackjack sailed by Darren & Clifford Nicholson is back again as is Laurent & Bernard Gouy on their new Kerr 39 Inismor.
This race doesn't just attract some of the best international sailors around it also boasts many 'local' boats from across the island. Defending her title we see Cavatina back once again along with Arklow boat, Aquelina, Matt Davies on his Corby 41 from Skerries and Whitetiger from Kinsale.
With such a mixture of boats this will definitely bode for an exciting start line and race. However, the BMW Round Ireland Yacht Race is not only about the intense offshore race; there is also an extensive social event for all the crew and spectators.
This year's tracking system is supplied by RORC and powered by OC Technology. See www.roundirelandyachtrace.ie/gps.html
The start will be at Wicklow on Saturday, 21st June.
* ICAP Leopard, the 100 foot super maxi yacht owned by Mike Slade, will this weekend compete in the BMW Round Ireland Yacht Race. Starting from Wicklow, Ireland, on Saturday 21st June, ICAP Leopard will aim to sail the 704 mile course in a clockwise direction around Ireland in under three days, in order to break the race record of 76 hours, 53 minutes and 57 seconds.
Skippered by owner Mike Slade, ICAP Leopard will have an impressive professional line-up of America's Cup and round the world sailors onboard for the BMW Round Ireland Race. ICAP Leopard is due to arrive in Ireland for the first time this week and will be the largest yacht on the start line. Earlier this month, ICAP Leopard broke the transatlantic speed sailing record for yachts with powered sailing systems. Sailing with a top speed of 37.4 knots, the Farr-designed super maxi yacht shaved eight hours off the previous record to claim their second world record in under a year.
Following the BMW Round Ireland Race, ICAP Leopard will rush back to the Solent to compete in the JP Morgan Round the Island Race, where the maxi yacht made her debut last year. She will then compete in several European events over the Summer alongside hosting a large number of corporate sailing days on the Solent.
www.roundirelandyachtrace.ie
