The round Ireland race has been run by Wicklow Sailing club since 1980. It now has a place as one of the Premier Events in Europes's Offshore Racing Calendar. the challenging race takes crews on a 704 NM course through the varied conditions of The Irish Sea, the rugged South and West Coasts and the complex tidal gates of the North Channel. This is the first year that the race will include a Two- Handed Class. Yannick and Aodhan intend to compete in this Class as well as racing against fully - crewed boats in the overall event. However they will enjoy the benefits of sailing on the new Figaro Beneteau 2. This water-ballasted yacht is purpose-designed for short-handed Ocean Racing and currently used in the famous "Figaro Single- Handed Event".

Yannick Member of Dingle Sailing Club 33 Years. Born in Rochefort sur Mer (near La Rochelle), France. Living in Ireland since 2001. Occupation: Quality Manager in Norman Pratt Group, Co. Meath. Former occupations include: Part-time professional Sailor, Sailing Instructor, Sailmaker. Professional Qualifications: Degree in Civil Engineering, Degree in Physics and Mathematics, Offshore Yachtmaster.Sailing Experience: Solitaire du Figaro (Single- Handed) 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001 Sponsorship with Mc Donald's for 5years.Transatlantic AG2R (Two-Handed) 1998, 2000. Tour de France a la Voile 1994, 1995, 1998 (1st Place), 2000, 2001.Student Yachting World Cup 1993. Winner of French Student Championship 1993(Yachting), 1996&1997 (Match Race)Winner EDHEC Student Championship 1992, 1993.Two Handed Tour de Bretagne 2001, 2nd place Vendee Defi (record around ile d’Yeu) Mileage: 25,000NMSingle Handed 30,000NM With Crew.

Aodhan Member of Dingle Sailing Club and Galway Bay Sailing Club 30 Years. Born in Dingle,Co. Kerry. Married with one child and living in Galway.Occupation: Marine Scientist working in the Marine Institute,Galway. -Crew member of Lifeboat GalwaybFormer occupations include:Electrician and quailfied PilotbProfessional Qualifications: Degree in Marine Science, Masters in Environmental Science, Commercial Airline Pilot, Offshore Yachtmaste Sailing Experience: Round Ireland Race 1994, 1996 (1st Place), 1998, 2000. Fastnet Race, 1997, 1999 (2nd Place), Round Britain and Ireland 1996. Dunlaoghaire- Dingle Race, 1993,1999 (1st Place) Captain of Irish team in EDHEC Student Championship, France 1995, 1996. Ford Cork Week 1996,2000, 2002. Cowes Week 1996, 1997. Winner Galway Bay Championship 2003.


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