Last Sunday in a little French fishing village called Les Sables D’Olonne a race began which many people say is the most difficult sporting challenge left in the world today, writes Stewart Hosford.

Conditions for the final day of the ASM Marine Frostbite League at Kinsale Yacht Club on Sunday morning did not look promising initially but by race time the south-westerly breeze had strengthened to a welcome force three.

A force 4-5 moderate to fresh northerly breeze heralded the start of the 2012 ASM Marine KYC Frostbite Series at Kinsale Harbour last Sunday.