I wonder if it will ever be known how many people followed the final approach of “Ruth”, Liam Shanahan Jnr’s J109, approach to the finish line in Wicklow for the 2014 Round Ireland Race. I spent many hours watching the tracker, checking the weather forecast, wishing them along the course towards the finish.
The ISORA boats know only too well what the approach to Wicklow finish can and regularly does.
“Ruth” battled with the “hole” in the wind that formed as they were off Greystones. Unfortunately they slipped from “having it in the bag” to second place behind “Tenit” – they were robbed!!! 'I was sick for Liam and the crew' said ISORA chairman Peter Ryan.
ISORA was well represented with 11 ISORA boats of the total 36 boat entry taking part. From the start it was obvious that the two ISORA J109’s, “Ruth” and “Mojito”, Peter Dunlop and Vicky Cox, were going to track and push each other. This duel came to an end shortly after passing the Blaskets when “Ruth” managed to shrug off “Mojito” and pull ahead. They kept pushing ahead and soon joined the back of the leading bunch for the remainder of the race.
Well done Liam and all the crew of “Ruth”. Everyone in ISORA is thrilled at your great result and feels for “what might have been”. I hope this will encourage to return in 2016 to take your well deserved win in the Round Ireland Race, the greatest offshore race in the world.
Another hero of the race was Kuba Szymanski and crew in the Sigma 33, “Polished Manx”. He was the last boat to finish on Thursday evening. A large crowd of supporters were in Wicklow to meet him when he arrived again demonstrating the fantastic fraternity that is ISORA.
The results for the ISORA section of the race was: “Ruth”, “Big Deal” and “Desert Star”. Well done to all ISORA competitors who took part in the race.
Many blogs and accounts have been written by those taking part in the race and those following the race. I would like to compille all such writings into one account and post it on the ISORA website. I ask all those authors to email me the content at
