When an “explosion of a storm” tore its way through the Fastnet yacht race off the Irish coast 40 years ago, there were those among the survivors who could not speak about the experience for years.

As plans are being finalised to commemorate the 40th anniversary Fastnet Race disaster, one of the competitors in the race has spoken about how he thought he was going to die in the storm, which claimed the life of 19 yachtsmen.

Those who look forward to the summer season of sporting fixtures may be forced to rejig their diaries following moves to shift Wimbledon fortnight back a week.

The Admiral’s Cup is to be reinstated in Ireland in 2003.