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3 May 2005, 10:59 am

Attempt On Single-Handed Round Ireland Record

WSSRC Record Attempt

22 year old Dave PARKER (IRL) set off yesterday from the Kish Lighthouse on his attempt to break the Round Ireland single-handed speed record for a monohull. He is sailing a Berret 30 foot half tonner called Blue Berret Pi.

He has chosen an anticlockwise course in view of the weather and tides. He expects to average five knots and reach the Kish Lighthouse by next Saturday. The current record speed is 3.96 knots.

PARKER is sponsored by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority and Dublin Port. His route can be followed on the Team Parker Website.

The current record for the 708nm circumnavigation stands at 7 days, 10 hours, 24 minutes and 27 seconds. It was set by Peter KEIG (GBR) in October 2001.

PARKER set off at 13:10:23 local time yesterday. He is due to formally check in at ten points around the coast:

St John's Point
Rathlin Island
Tory Island
Eagle Island
Slyne Head
Blasket Islands
Fastnet Rock
Cork
Tuskar Rock
Wicklow Head

At 2219 last night PARKER reported, 'Hey I'm all good! I'm really moving. Just radio'd in at St John's. I'm fine don't worry too much!' At that time he had covered 70 miles in nine hours at an impressive average speed 7.5 knots.