Volvo fleet on record-breaking course

A fast getaway from Wicklow on Saturday, in spite of light winds, has seen the record fleet in the Volvo Round Ireland Race achieve record-breaking speeds with just hours remaining before line honours are decided.

However, the exotic boats leading the 63-strong entry are not eligible for the overall race trophy as they are multihulls while the race follows the monohull tradition.

Nevertheless, the world speed-sailing record for a circumnavigation of Ireland looks set to fall today as Tony Lawson’s Concise 10 is chased by it’s near sisterships, another pair of Multi-One-design 70-footers.