Torben Grael, the Brazilian hotshot sailor with 6 Olympic medals, including two gold, as well as several class world championship honours, has joined the ICAP Leopard team for the BMW Round Ireland Yacht Race 2008.
Sailing since he was 9 years old, Torben has competed with remarkable success internationally in dinghies and also has considerable Round the World and America’s Cup experience on Ericson and Luna Rossa respectively. His addition to the ICAP Leopard teams attempt to beat Colm Barrington’s ten year old BMW Round Ireland record reinforces the international stature of Irelands premier offshore event which starts off Wicklow Harbour at 4.00 p.m. on Saturday.
While much of Torbens success has been in races lasting around 90 minutes, it will be interesting to see how he performs in a race that can last, for the slowest competitors, up to nine days. In addition he will have to deal with crucial tidal gates, constant weather shifts and veteran BMW Round Ireland sailors who can do it in their sleep, often literally. Local knowledge has often proved critical and past winners like Eric Lisson on Cavatina (twice) and George Radley on VSOP will use all their experience take the overall title.
In addition he has serious competition for the race record from boats such as Ger O’Rourke’s Ocean Racing Team, Adrien Lee’s Lee Overlay Partners and others in the Super 0 class.
The pedigree of the entrants in the BMW Round Ireland guarantees that 2008 will be the most hotly contested ever. Follow every competitor at:
www.roundirelandyachtrace.ie
