David Branigan: Rumours of offshore demise greatly exaggerated

As one offshore classic race draws to a close this week, another major race is drawing a near record fleet together closer to home, while at the same time, the Volvo Ocean Race will be decided this weekend in The Netherlands, writes David Branigan

The biennial Newport to Bermuda Race is drawing to a close with final results pending completion of the 635-nautical mile course. A clutch of Irish sailors are scattered across the 169-boat fleet with almost all featuring on the big boat end of the spectrum.

Ben Lynch from Benekerry in Carlow is among a professional crew on American VO70 Warrior, a service veterans charity organisation, and placed fourth in class while Marcus Spillane from Fountainstown crewed on Swan 66 Bounty, placed ninth.