https://www.boatshed.com Recently added news on Boatshed en-gb Copyright 2026 Boatshed http://www.boatshed.com/large-fleet-gathering-ahead-of-wicklow-start-to-round-ireland-race-blog-171732.html More than 60 Irish and international entries have been received by organisers ahead of this Summer’s Round Ireland Race that gets underway from Wicklow in eight day’s time (Saturday 20 June).   The non-stop race is a biennial attraction to Wicklow Harbour for thousands of spectators for the colourful start at 2pm as the competitors head southwards towards Wicklow Head lighthouse.   The fastest boats can expect to complete the 704 nautical-mile course in about three to four days depending on wind.  While first boat home wins “line honours”, the overall trophy is decided on ‘corrected time’ meaning small or less sophisticated boats that are well sailed by the crew can win overall.   But before victory can be considered, the main challenge is to complete the gruelling course.   The first night at sea usually sees most boats pass the Tuskar Rock lighthouse and set their sights on the famous Fastnet Rock, also known as An Carriag Aonair (The lonely rock) or the Teardrop of Ireland as the last sign of Ireland for the immigrants of times past.   The Round Ireland Race is often decided by what happens along the Western seaboard and whether the wind delivers a classic ‘sleigh-ride’ northwards along the spectacular Wild Atlantic Way.   At Malin Head, navigators have to take care to sail outside Innistrahull as the classic course is to “leave Ireland and its island to starboard” and it would be an easy mistake to miss the most northerly part of Ireland.   Before the closing stage can begin and thoughts of fresh food at Wicklow Sailing Club’s famous non-stop breakfast, the leading boats must negotiate Rathlin Island, the notorious tidal gate that can make or break a winning time.   Once through, a long stage down the Irish Sea follows back to the finishing line at Wicklow; boats that have made it this far rarely have to pull out though only in 1996 did all 55 starters actually complete the race.   So far for 2026, a fleet of 63 boats have entered but already several have had to withdraw, most due to equipment problems.  Safety inspection is also a critical factor and every boat must meet compliance standards before starting the race.   “Everything is coming together nicely for a terrific start that will be a spectacle,” commented Race Director Kyran O’Grady of Wicklow Sailing Club.  “It’s still a little early to be certain but there are positive signs of fine conditions for start day at least.”   Several notable sailors and boats will be competing in various categories including the largest entry Spirit of Shackleton, the sail-training vessel named by President Catherine Connolly and entered by Enda O’Coineen and Bobby Beggs.   Wicklow sailor Pamela Lee has entered her 40-footer Empowher but has attracted eight of her international colleagues to join this year.  Hiroshi Nakajima on Hiro Maru has returned once again as one of two American entries.   In terms of an overall winner, there is a deep field to choose from, perhaps as many as 12 boats.  If any is a favourite it would be Tom Kneen from the UK on Sunrise VI, a past winner of the Rolex Fastnet who sailed for Ireland in last Summer’s Admiral’s Cup.   Many local boats could be in the mix including John Trainer’s Dun Laoghaire entry Cristina and Mike Evans’ on The Big Picture from Howth Yacht Club.  And, as always the venerable Cavatina entered by Ian Hickey from the Royal Cork Yacht Club is certain to set a fast time but could keep the shoreside pundits guessing well after the first finishers are asleep. http://www.boatshed.com/large-fleet-gathering-ahead-of-wicklow-start-to-round-ireland-race-blog-171732.html Fri, 12 Jun 2026 13:03:02 +0000 http://www.boatshed.com/britains-favourite-butterfly-revealed-blog-171735.html Wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation has revealed that the colourful Peacock has beaten off fierce competition from a colourful cast of species to take the top spot as Britain’s Favourite Butterfly.  http://www.boatshed.com/britains-favourite-butterfly-revealed-blog-171735.html Fri, 12 Jun 2026 09:41:03 +0000 http://www.boatshed.com/foxs-yacht-sales-joins-morgans-group-as-new-sales-director-takes-the-helm-blog-171740.html One of the East Coast’s most respected yacht dealerships and brokerages is entering an exciting new chapter, following its acquisition by Morgans Group and the appointment of a new Sales Director to lead the business forward. http://www.boatshed.com/foxs-yacht-sales-joins-morgans-group-as-new-sales-director-takes-the-helm-blog-171740.html Fri, 12 Jun 2026 09:35:00 +0000 http://www.boatshed.com/gb1-begins-construction-of-base-for-38th-americas-cup-in-bagnoli-blog-171705.html The British America’s Cup team, GB1, has collected the keys for its base for the 38th America’s Cup which will take place in Naples in 2027. Construction will now begin at the site in Bagnoli, with work expected to last until this autumn. http://www.boatshed.com/gb1-begins-construction-of-base-for-38th-americas-cup-in-bagnoli-blog-171705.html Thu, 11 Jun 2026 15:14:51 +0000 http://www.boatshed.com/wounded-injured-and-sick-veterans-complete-historic-2000mile-uk-sailing-expedition-carrying-invictus-games-flag-blog-171710.html A crew of 70 wounded, injured and sick (WIS) veterans and serving personnel havecompleted a historic 2,000-mile voyage around the UK in two traditionally rigged tall ships, Spirit of Falmouth and Pellew, after safely returning to Falmouth today (11 June) for the conclusion of the Full Circle Expedition. http://www.boatshed.com/wounded-injured-and-sick-veterans-complete-historic-2000mile-uk-sailing-expedition-carrying-invictus-games-flag-blog-171710.html Thu, 11 Jun 2026 15:10:18 +0000 http://www.boatshed.com/one-month-countdown-to-round-the-island-race-2026-blog-171713.html The iconic Round the Island Race is just a month away and there’s still time to be involved. http://www.boatshed.com/one-month-countdown-to-round-the-island-race-2026-blog-171713.html Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:57:53 +0000 http://www.boatshed.com/cotswolds-distillery-launches-hearts-and-crafts-madeira-cask-single-malt-whisky-blog-171716.html Cotswolds Distillery, producers of the world’s best-selling English single malt whisky, today launches an exclusive limited release of 1,200 bottles in its Hearts & Crafts Series.   Cotswolds Hearts & Crafts Madeira Cask Single Malt Whisky is the seventh expression in the Cotswolds Distillery’s Hearts & Crafts collection. This yearly limited-edition series celebrates the Arts and Crafts movement which flourished in the Cotswolds in the late 19th century and stood for the importance of traditional craftsmanship – the same values upon which the rural distillery was built.    For this latest release, Cotswolds Distillery Single Malt Whisky has been matured in hand-selected American Oak Madeira casks and is non-chill filtered, delivering a rich, full-bodied flavour profile with notes of sweet fruits and toasted spices. The liquid has a striking garnet rose tint, hinting at the rich fruit-forward wood that shaped it.  http://www.boatshed.com/cotswolds-distillery-launches-hearts-and-crafts-madeira-cask-single-malt-whisky-blog-171716.html Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:53:16 +0000 http://www.boatshed.com/detected-from-space-20-years-of-data-shows-declining-photosynthesis-in-uk-and-surrounding-waters-blog-171721.html A new study by scientists at Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) has revealed a significant long-term decline in ocean productivity across large parts of the north-east Atlantic. This raises concerns about the future health of marine food webs, fisheries and the ocean’s ability to absorb and sequester carbon dioxide. http://www.boatshed.com/detected-from-space-20-years-of-data-shows-declining-photosynthesis-in-uk-and-surrounding-waters-blog-171721.html Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:43:26 +0000 http://www.boatshed.com/jess-glynne-and-craig-david-to-headline-the-emirates-great-britain-sail-grand-prix-in-portsmouth-blog-171724.html Singer-songwriter Craig David and pop sensation Jess Glynne will bring star power to this summer’s Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix | Portsmouth. http://www.boatshed.com/jess-glynne-and-craig-david-to-headline-the-emirates-great-britain-sail-grand-prix-in-portsmouth-blog-171724.html Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:41:29 +0000 http://www.boatshed.com/vende-globe-winner-charlie-dalin-dies-after-cancer-battle-blog-171727.html French sailor Charlie Dalin, 2025 Rolex World Sailor of the Year, Vendée Globe record breaker and two-time IMOCA Globe Series winner, has passed away after a battle with cancer. http://www.boatshed.com/vende-globe-winner-charlie-dalin-dies-after-cancer-battle-blog-171727.html Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:28:48 +0000