This article is from page 5 of the 2006-02-28 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 5 JPG
THE Western Yacht Club will display its community spirit and its pride in Kilrush when it takes to the sea this summer in one of Ireland’s most challenging yacht races.
An 18-member crew set sail in the newly named Spirit of Kilrush, as part of the BMW Round Ireland Yacht Race this July.
As the crew undergo physical and mental preparations for the race, their enthusiasm has rippled its way through the town of Kilrush, gaining public support from the local people and businesses.
Supporting the venture, the Kilrush Chamber of Commerce has this week welcomed the vision and courage of crew members from the club, in proposing a community spirit between sport and business as part of the venture.
“Kilrush is a Maritime and Heritage Town. The businesses, along with the tourist industry, are proud to be associated with the Sprit of Kilrush team.
“Anyone that has the long term interests of Kilrush at heart should support this very welcome and proactive step from the Western Yacht Club,” said Tom Whelan, Spirit of Kilrush Crew Member.
Starting in Wicklow, the 704-mile race takes place on Saturday July 1, sails clockwise around Ireland, keeping all islands to starboard.
The Spirit of Kilrush is a Volvo 60 yacht, which translates as a 19.5m ocean racing yacht, capable of 35 knots, helped by 5,000 litres of water ballast.
She comes complete with a downwind sail area of some 4,490 square metres, upwind sail area 200 square metres, carbon fiber mast and the famous big boat coffee grinder winches.
All this means, that the Spirit of Kilrush is a high performance, light weight and very sophisticated race machine.
This ship has previously raced around the world in the famous Volvo Round the World Race.
Kilrush is quickly establishing a positive reputation for itself in maritime circles.
Already established as a maritime town, just last year the West Clare capital along with the Kilrush Western Yacht Club hosted the West of Ireland Off Shore Racing Association’s (WOIRA) annual race.
This race encouraged hundreds of sailing enthusiasts to the town making an estimated €200,000 for local businesses.
Secretary of the Kilrush club, Tom Whelan, said at the time that the town’s success in attracting the race to Kilrush for the second time in three years was due to its progressive and modern marina facilities.