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4 October 2005, 10:14 am

Belgian Solo Sailor Finally Sets Off For Round Ireland Record Attempt

WSSRC Record Attempt

On Saturday 1 October at 1257 hours UTC Belgian yachtsman Michel KLEINJANS and his Open 40 Roaring Forty finally set sail in Dun Loaghaire in an attempt to better the existing single-handed Round Ireland record.

The broken starter engine that forced him to delay his departure almost for a week has finally been repaired, allowing KLEINJANS to seize the first weather window and start his clockwise chrono race.

On Monday morning, Roaring Forty's position was just off the Blasket Islands on the southwest coast of Ireland, where lack of wind seriously reduced progress. Fortunately for the Belgian skipper the wind picked up in the afternoon and weather maps show that it is likely to stay, allowing Roaring Forty to make good progress towards the finish line in Dublin Bay.

The single handed Round Ireland record currently stands at 5 days, 12 hours, 11 minutes and 46 seconds, and was set just last month by Irishman Michael LIDDY sailing his production Beneteau 40.7 Afaom.com.