Circumnavigating Ireland in a small open powerboat demands skilful seamanship and a steady nerve. July this year will see the course being attempted by 20 Teams of RIBs (Rigid Inflatable Boats) ranging from 5.5M to 10M in length. Crews of between 2 and 4 will be starting the event at Kilmore Quay, County Wexford on the 28th July. From here, they will be aiming to stop at ports of call around Ireland including Baltimore, Fenit, Newport, Killybegs, Cushendall, Dun Laoghaire, finishing at Kilmore Quay on the 3rd August. (On the 27th July all teams will gather at Kilmore Quay for final scrutineering and to meet and greet with press for photograph’s and interviews.)
The endurance event will be raising money for the RNLI. It is hoped we will raise over £10,000.
Round Ireland RIB Challenge 2002 will take in over 800 miles of the most beautiful coastal waters Ireland has to offer whilst the crews will be tested by the North Atlantic seas and battling to complete the course in the time allowed.
Approximately 75 people are involved in the event including Land Support teams who will follow the teams all the way around Ireland providing key assistance to the event.
The event is generously supported by Suzuki GB with the supply of a Suzuki Grand Vitara XL7 as the main land support vehicle. Stena Line have offered discounts on ferry crossings for entrants, McMurdo have offered discount on their 48hr EPIRB, Icom have donated prizes and are also offering a discount on all their marine products, Transas Nautic, Guinness, Garmin and Silva have all donated prizes to be awarded to the entrants on completion of the challenge.
Participating crews come from all over Ireland and the UK plus a team from the USA has entered the event. All the RIBs are equipped to extremely high standards with safety being viewed as paramount. Such a large flotilla of these exciting craft will be a sight truly unique.
If you would like to know dates of ports of call please email
jo@ribchallenge.co.uk Furthermore if you are intending to be in Ireland between the 27th July and the 3rd August and will be at one of our destinations please do come and support the challenge!
The teams are welcoming sponsors for their individual RIBs plus the event is still available for an overall sponsor which will be promoted throughout the media in Ireland and the UK. If you would like to know further details on the event with regard to overall or individual sponsorship and/or donation of prizes please contact the Event Co-ordinator, Jo Kemp on Tel 01884 266100 or Email
jo@ribchallenge.co.uk
