Swish World Record Ratified

The World Sailing Speed Record (WSSR) Council announces the establishment of a new World Record

A new 40ft Around Britain and Ireland World Record has been established by Swish, Class40 skippered by Roderick Knowles, during the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race 2014.

Click here for the official announcement from the WSSR Council

Artemis - Team Endeavour World Record Ratified

The World Sailing Speed Record (WSSR) Council announces the establishment of a new World Record

A new 60ft Around Britain and Ireland World Record has been established by Artemis-Team Endeavour, skippered by Brian Thompson, during the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race 2014.

Click here for the official announcement from the WSSR Council

SCA World Record Ratified

The World Sailing Speed Record (WSSR) Council announces the establishment of a new World Record

A new Womens Outright Around Britain and Ireland World Record has been established by Volvo Ocean 65 SCA, skippered by Sam Davies, during the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race 2014.

Click here for the official announcement from the WSSR Council

Azzam-Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing World Record Ratified

The World Sailing Speed Record (WSSR) Council announces the establishment of a new World Record

A new Monohull Around Britain and Ireland World Record has been established by Volvo Ocean 65 Azzam-Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, skippered by Ian Walker, during the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race 2014.

Click here for the official announcement from the WSSR Council

Lula Belle, Rare and Dessert D'Alcyone Celebrate.

DAY 14 AM UPDATE

Before the 2014 Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race, a Two-Handed team had never completed the 1800-mile course. However three teams from Ireland, Britain and Germany have now accomplished that magnificent achievement. Racing Two-Handed around Britain and Ireland requires all-round skill, great seamanship and tenacity. Most of the time, the Two-Handed pair are alone on deck. Whilst a team mate sleeps, it can be a lonely existence on deck and the lack of sleep and the effects of exposure to the harshest of conditions is bound to take its toll on both yacht and sailor.

Liam Coyne's First 36.7, Lula Belle, with Brian Flahive as crew, finished the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race at 11:40:54 on Saturday 23rd August in an elapsed time of 12 days 02 hours 40 minutes 54 seconds. The duo won the Two Handed Class and the combined IRC Three and IRC Four Class.

Read more: Lula Belle, Rare and Dessert D'Alcyone Celebrate.

Every Finisher’s A Winner

DAY 13 AM UPDATE

Three yachts finished the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race on Friday 23rd August, deciding the winners of both IRC One and IRC Two and there were celebrations on the dock for Relentless on Jellyfish, winner of IRC Two and Saga, winner of IRC One.

British Soldier may have lost the battle with Relentless on Jellyfish, but the British Army Sailing Team was far richer for the experience.

J/122, Relentless on Jellyfish, skippered by James George and owned by Chris Radford, crossed the finish line of the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race at 14:52:57 on 22 August to win IRC Two. Relentless on Jellyfish has been competing in the RORC Season's Points Championship since May and their result in the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race has lifted them to top yacht in IRC Two and third overall for the season. The crew let out a big cheer as they heard the news dockside.

Read more: Every Finisher’s A Winner

Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race 2014: 5 World Records and IRC Overall

The 2014 Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race was a record race: 5 World Records broken* and fantastic win in IRC Overall for Ker 51, Varuna.

*Subject to ratification by the WSSRC

Varuna Declared Overall Winner

DAY 12 Morning update

The Royal Ocean Racing Club has declared Jens Kellinghusen's Ker 51, Varuna (GER), as the overall winner under IRC of the 2014 Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race.

Race sponsors Sevenstar Yacht Transport have also awarded Jens Kellinghusen with a $20,000 voucher to ship Varuna to their selected destination worldwide, which will be used to transport Varuna to Malta to take part in the Rolex Middle Sea Race, the final race of the RORC Season's Points Championship.

Although six yachts are still racing, none of them can better Varuna's corrected time racing under IRC. Jens Kellinghusen was quick to praise his crew for their performance, Varuna has no powered winches and the tough conditions required tremendous physical exertion and long hours hiking out on the rail.

"The weather conditions really suited Varuna. Our biggest competition was with the canting keel boats, which would have preferred reaching, but the downwind conditions towards the end were ideal for us. I am so happy for the crew as they all did a great job and the boat held together in some testing conditions. I am very pleased, this is the first time we have participated and we really enjoyed the race. We already use Sevenstar for transporting Varuna, so the $20,000 from the sponsors is very much appreciated."

Read more: Varuna Declared Overall Winner

Jellyfish Stings British Soldier

Thursday 21 August 2014 0900 BST

Six yachts are still racing in the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race and after light winds slowed their progress yesterday (Wednesday) morning, the wind picked up overnight much to the delight of the remaining competitors. British Soldier and Relentless on Jellyfish are having a tremendous battle in IRC Two and the three remaining Two-Handed teams are making great progress.

Wednesday afternoon JV 53, Bank von Bremen, skippered by Carol Smolawa and crewed by members of the SKWB (Segelkameradschaft das Wappen von Bremen), crossed the finish line of the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race completing the race in under 12 days to claim third position in IRC Zero.

"We had a bit of everything thrown at us in the race, the start was fantastic, downwind through the Solent and east out through the Straits of Dover but it was very tough up the North Sea and all the way around to St.Kilda on the west coast of Scotland," commented Carol Smolawa. "We had to tack against heavy winds and we were very happy when we passed the Shetlands and thought, good, we can now go downwind; but the low pressure just followed us all the time.

"I will remember the gale in the west and we had so many different situations to deal with and such high speeds. We had a daily distance of around 240 miles a day and that's incredible! The most special moment was when we had to set the storm jib. A safety warning was coming in from the Coastguard with Gale force 10 expected and we were prepared when the huge waves came crashing onto the boat. Our boat was strong and our crew made it.

"Finishing the race and coming back to Cowes is such a great feeling. We made it and it was such an amazing experience. It was the first time the SKWB Club and myself, plus all the young sailors on board, have done this race. Many years ago I saw the boats preparing for the Round Britain and Ireland Race and I thought `I will do that one day'. It was so great and such an honour to do this race.

"We wrote to our Club saying that we have 11 sets of foulweather clothing and boots for sale at the end of this race! However, in a couple of days we will have changed our minds and you might see us in four years time. The RORC is such a great organisation and thank you all for such a great race, with great moments for us."

Read more: Jellyfish Stings British Soldier

Newsflash: Musandam - Oman Sail World Record Ratified

The World Sailing Speed Record (WSSR) Council announces the establishment of a new World Record

A new Outright Around Britain and Ireland record has been established by MOD 70 Musandam - Oman Sail, skippered by Sidney Gavignet, during the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race 2014.

Click here for the official announcement from the WSSR Council