ICAP Leopard, the 100 foot super maxi yacht owned by Mike Slade, the largest boat ever to compete in the BMW Round Ireland Yacht Race is aiming to set a new record in this race, to become the fastest yacht with powered sailing systems to circumnavigate Ireland.
Colm Barrington’s record of 3 days 4 hours 23 minutes and 57 seconds has stood for the last ten years in spite of serious challenges over the years particularly from O2 Team Spirit in 2004 and the 30 metre Konica Minolta Zara from New Zealand in 2006.
ICAP Leopard recently broke the transatlantic speed sailing record, shaving eight hours off the previous record for the 2,925 nautical mile crossing. At 30m, the equivalent length of three and a half double-decker buses, ICAP Leopard is a Farr design canting keel racing machine dedicated to winning the most prestigious offshore yacht races in the world. She is the current holder of the record for the Rolex Fastnet Race having taken a massive 9 hours off that record in 2007.
However Leopard faces stiff competition for both line and class honours in this year’s race with up to 2 VO Open 70’s, a VO Open 60 and Andres Soriano’s IRC 68 Alegre amongst others expected to compete in the Super 0 class. Eric Lisson and Catavina, one of only three sailors have won the gruelling offshore race twice since it started in 1980, will attempt to be the first skipper and boat to take the coveted title three times.
Cavatina’s recent offshore record is an astounding achievement for a cruiser/racer built in 1979, competing against the very latest hi-tech racing machines dedicated to setting records. It requires the very best tactical decision-making and a ceaseless commitment to getting the best out of the boat on every inch of the 706-mile course. Winning the overall title in 2008 would be a tremendous achievement.
The BMW Round Ireland Race starts off Wicklow Harbour at 4pm on 21st June.The latest information on each competitor and GPS tracking for each boat can be found by logging onto the race website: www.roundirelandyachtrace.ie
