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OSTAR class winner, Barry Hurley, of the Royal Irish Yacht Club, is presenting a series of lectures on his experiences in the 2009 edition of this world renowned solo transatlantic race. Using images, chart references and video footage taken during the race, Barry will recount some of his adventures sharing the many highs and lows of such a challenge.

With this lecture series Barry hopes to promote the sport of short-handed sailing as a discipline where Ireland can be competitive on the world stage.

Upcoming dates are as follows:
11/02/10 Royal Irish Yacht Club – 19.30 Dun Laoghaire

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The Race Committee at the Solo Offshore Racing Club (formerly Racing at Petit Bateau) have announced the appointment of David Giddings as the Club’s Race Officer. David is a former Rear Commodore Sailing of the Royal Southampton Yacht Club where he has been race officer for the popular RSYC Double Handed Series and the Biscay Challenge. For the full news visit www.offshoresolo.com

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We are very pleased to announce our new name and launch our new website

Racing at Petit Bateau ltd becomes Solo Offshore Racing Club ltd

and the new web site is www.offshoresolo.com

The new club has evolved from the very succesful Racing at Petit Bateau ltd, organisers of single-handed races since 2004 and continues under the established management team of Paul Peggs, Peter Olden and Jerry Freeman.

The aim of the club remains to support and expand solo racing in the UK
through a series of day races that both encourage new comers and test the experienced skippers.

the race is almost over with under 20 miles to go and good speed on this
last leg from lampedusa to malta... the race was slow, beating on all
legs but the one from malta to sicily and this last one... choppy seas,
strong and variable winds, issues with the water ballast (now resolved)
made for a much slower passage than anticipated. we hear over 20 of the
entrants have retired, which is no surprise as this must have made for a
much tougher race than many mediterranean sailors would normally bargain
for...

Two of five crew suffered from sea sickness, one has been incapacitated

Just about an hour ago we passed the black volcanic island where i used
to go on holiday as a kid, i've been to the eolian isands countless
times, but never had to round them as a mark on a course...

Last night was not one of the easiest, as we approached capo passero
under masthead kite we were hit by up to 45kt true which made for some
excitement...

The start was a bit slow for us as we got glued to the light airs
approaching the second photographers buoy, from then on a fetch under
code 0 then a massive shift and the big kite...