Sailing: New technology will transform one of Ireland's best known sailing events and put it on a par with the world's leading offshore races. Along with the official announcement that BMW Group Ireland are continuing as title sponsors, the 704-mile Round Ireland Race is already heading for a record entry.
Last Friday's launch was the first public event for new commodore John Johnson at Wicklow Sailing Club, hosts of the event.
Event director Denis Noonan is once again leading his team of club volunteers but with the backing of the event sponsor, vehicle tracking technology is to be employed to provide near real-time monitoring of individual team progress.
The 2004 race saw David Nixon's 02 Team Spirit use GPRS phone tracking which allowed race followers track their progress as the Howth crew came close to breaking the course record.
But for a short period when the team was far offshore on the west coast where coverage wasn't available, 24-hour monitoring also relayed boat information such as current speed.
For 2006, each boat will be fitted with a tracking device which will boost both safety systems and race interest once the fleet departs Wicklow. Abandoning the 24-hour watch kept by club members and race officials until the final entrant finishes is unlikely to be dropped thanks to the new technology.
Interest in the race appears to have reversed a downward spiral since the last race 18 months ago when 49 boats entered.
Three factors have been put forward for this: fresh sponsorship, growing interest in offshore sailing after years of decline and the addition of the two-handed division of the race.
Indeed, the first entry for next summer's event is for the two-handed division and was received by Noonan from Capt Mick Liddy last summer even before the Air Corps pilot broke the single-handed record for sailing around Ireland.
Apart from Liddy, at least 10 firm entries are expected, including three 50-foot plus boats. A change of date from June to the first Saturday in July is another change for a race which was first sailed in 1980.
The move could yet see a boost in entries from Britain and the continent as crews maximise their time in Ireland next summer.
Meanwhile, county management officials have also offered congratulations to Wicklow Sailing Club for their efforts in hosting the race.
