Irish sailor in contention as endurance yacht race stops over in Kinsale

Tom Dolan from Meath said conditions during the 642-mile first leg were 'very harsh'

The racing fleet will remain tied up in Kinsale over the coming days before competitors set off this Sunday on the second leg from Kinsale to the scenic Bay of Morlaix in Brittany, via the Isle of Man. Picture: David Creedon

Irish sailor Tom Dolan is in contention to win one of the world’s toughest solo yacht races after he claimed second place in the first leg of the La Solitaire du Figaro Race which finished in Kinsale on Thursday.

The 36-year-old Meath man, and the rest of the 30-strong racing fleet, set off from Caen, France, on Sunday to compete in the arduous 1,850-mile three-stage race over three weeks.