2016 Venture Cup - Now Cancelled!!

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Big names confirmed for 2016 Venture Cup race
Chris Jefferies

The organizers of the Venture Cup have signed up two of Britain’s biggest names in offshore powerboat racing, Richard Carr and Steve Curtis

Two of the biggest names in British offshore powerboat racing will be taking part in the 2016 Venture Cup race around Ireland, it has been confirmed.

Richard Carr and Steve Curtis will be teaming up once again to take on the eight-day epic race around the Emerald Isle from June 12-19.

After a five-year hiatus from the sport, former world champion Richard will be hoping to make a triumphant return.

Fellow racer Steve is also a former world champion with an illustrious career spanning more than three decades.

Richard Carr said of the decision to team up again for the Venture Cup: “Both Steve and I are keen to take part in the race. We have been friends for over 30 years, so who better to go racing with?

“My first ever race in a Class 1 powerboat was with Steve back in 1981 in the Guernsey Gold Cup in a boat called Reporter. We have got on really well since then and I’m looking forward to racing with him again.”

However, Richard couldn’t have picked a much tougher challenge to make his comeback, with the Venture Cup race taking in 1,000nm of the Irish coastline and Atlantic swells of up to 15m.

It is not yet known what boat the returning duo will race in, but Richard is under no illusions as to the magnitude of the task ahead of him:

“It will be a very, very challenging race,” he said. “The seas on the Atlantic side of Ireland can be extremely high and make for very difficult racing conditions.

“Some of the stages will be over 300 miles long and it’s an extreme test of your concentration and determination as a racer.”

The competition will also be fierce with current Cowes-Torquay-Cowes champions Vector Martini Racing also set to take part.

“The standard of competition will be extremely high with some world class teams taking part,” Richard concedes. “I can’t wait to get back in the boat, I’m sure it will great fun.”

The 2016 Venture Cup is due to kick off in Cork Harbour on June 12 with a one-day stop-off in Galway before a final showdown in Dublin.

Large crowds are expected to greet the boats along the way and the lord mayor of Dublin has promised a warm welcome to the finishing vessels arriving into the capital on June 19.

Read more at http://www.mby.com/news/names-confirmed-2016-venture-cup-race-50670#OoocUbeRa41Z5jmP.99

 

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Gentlemen, Start Your Engines – Venture Cup is 3,2,1 Go!

Dublin City’s Custom Quay was the host on Thursday for guests and celebrities as they gathered to launch the Venture World Cup powerboating event in Ireland.

Having won the right to host the world’s most exciting festival of powerboat racing, which promises to fire Irish imaginations and put the country on the map as a global marine event organiser, the Venture World Cup was officially launched by An tArdmhéara Críona Ní Dhálaigh.

The race, which takes place in Ireland in June, will see 25 of the world’s best teams battling it out over seven days of incredible action on the water in a spectacle only matched by the party in each of the ports on route.
Thursday’s launch saw some of Ireland’s most well-known personalities join the An tArdmhéara on Dublin’s Docklands to ‘Feel the Noise’, including hotelier and RTE star John Brennan and Anthony Middleton from Channel 4’s SAS: Who Dares Wins, who all came together to witness the spectacular sight of three world class powerboats roaring into Dublin’s quays.

“Hosting the final stages of the Venture World Cup in Dublin promises to be a highlight in the city’s calendar of events for 2016,” said An tArdmhéara, Críona Ní Dhálaigh.

“As host partner, Dublin City Council looks forward to working with the Venture Cup team and Dublin Port to deliver a unique shore based festival experience to complement the spectacular water sport activity in Dublin Bay.

“I am delighted to welcome the 25 teams taking part in this prestigious sporting event, which will showcase Dublin's capacity for hosting international sporting events yet again to a global audience.

Billed as the world’s longest, toughest and most prestigious powerboat race, the Venture World Cup features the biggest, loudest and fastest boats in the world.

As well as the top names from power boating, the crews include supermodel David Gandy and motorsport legend Bruno Senna.

The epic adventure begins in Cork on June 10, and will take in many of Ireland’s coastal towns along the journey to the finish line in Dublin.

The organisers have chosen Ireland, and it’s Wild Atlantic Way as the venue for the race as it offers some of the most challenging and demanding racing in the world. Racing 200 miles a day, the event will stop in Dingle, Galway, Killybegs and Belfast.

Venture Cup Racing Director and multiple world powerboat racing champion, Peter Dredge said: “This is going to push teams and their raceboats to the absolute limit. The wild Atlantic coast of Ireland is no place for the faint-hearted, and only the bravest and best prepared will succeed.”

Minister for Agriculture, Food & the Marine Simon Coveney added: “The event will link up so many of the coastal towns of this island. This will be one of the biggest events the country will witness this summer, and it will capture both the imaginations of Irish people and those wishing to visit the country this summer.

“It’s not only a high-end offshore power boating race, but a major international spectacle which will put Ireland on the map for big marine-based events.”

As part of the launch proceedings it was announced that the charity Haven will be the global charity party for the Venture World Cup.

Haven works solely in Haiti, empowering Haitians to build strong and sustainable livelihoods. Haven is working tirelessly on the ground providing shelter, access to clean water and employment opportunities to thousands of struggling families.

Leslie Buckley, founder and chairman of Haven, said: "Haven is delighted to be chosen as the global charity partner of the Venture Cup, which is a tremendously innovative and exciting sporting event destined to bring the international sporting spot light to Ireland.

“This is a huge honor for Haven and will allow us to reach a new platform to raise vital funds for our extensive work on the ground in Haiti, which needs ongoing substantial funding and support to continue."

The epic seven days of racing will finish in Dublin, where a celebration of epic proportions awaits. More than 500,000 spectators are expected to fill Dublin’s docklands and Dublin Bay for daytime racing and evening parties between June 17 and 19.

Ireland will be supporting the Venture World Cup as one of their key events in Ireland this summer.

"Fáilte Ireland is delighted to support the 2016 Venture Cup in what is sure to be an eventful and thrilling race,” said a spokesperson.

“International events such as this are not only an important draw for overseas visitors, they also provide an incredible opportunity to attract future visitors to Ireland as scenes from the race are broadcast across the globe.

“This year as the teams navigate their way through the breathtaking Wild Atlantic Way before arriving in Dublin's action-packed coast we have no doubt that visitors and viewers alike will see that Ireland has something to offer that is unlike any other destination. We look forward to welcoming the teams, their crews, families and friends in June.”

While the action will be on the high seas, and the celebrations will be in some of Ireland’s best cities and towns, Minister Simon Coveney believes the international spotlight will significantly boost Ireland’s blue economy, bringing jobs and tourism to the country as well as showcasing Ireland’s incredible coastline.

“The technology involved in an event such as this further showcases the development and research currently being carried out in marine-based events, and Ireland will be at the forefront of this Industry,” he added.
“On so many levels this is an incredibly positive event for Ireland and we are very lucky to be able to host it in 2016.

“The Venture World Cup offers us another opportunity to demonstrate everything Ireland can offer as a sports-tourism destination, a centre for marine-based excellence, and a spotlight on our magnificent Wild Atlantic Way to the rest of the world. I am truly looking forward to being part of Venture Cup Ireland 2016.”

http://afloat.ie/power/powerboat-ra...en-start-your-engines-venture-cup-is-3-2-1-go

 

[Serious News]

What is the Venture World Cup?

It’s the World’s longest, toughest and most prestigious powerboat race. More than that, it’s an epic adventure where teams will be forced to meet the very toughest conditions the ocean can muster-up over 1,000 miles of Ireland’s spectacular coastline. Take the very best of motorsport, add in the unpredictability of the ocean, then mix in the bravest, craziest, most colourful crews around, and you’ve got all the ingredients of an epic race.

We’ll be bringing you all of the information, the insights, the pains and the gains, the bravery and the heartaches - and all of this will be delivered when and where you want it. The World will be watching when the Venture World Cup takes to the seas in June - will you be a part of it?

Sat 11th Scrutineering - Cork
Sun 12th Leg 1 In-Harbour Racing - Cork 100
Mon 13th Leg 2 Cork to Dingle 150
Tues 14th Leg 3 Dingle to Galway 125
Wed 15th In-Port Day
Thurs 16th Leg 5 Galway to Kilybegs 200
Fri 17th Leg 6 Kilybegs to Belfast 210

 

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New boat race powers into Galway

Thousands of people are expected to flock to Galway this summer for an event described as the world’s longest, toughest and most prestigious powerboat race.

Galway’s businesses will be hoping for a Volvo Ocean Race-like boost when the Venture World Cup comes West in June 2016.

The race will see 25 powerboat teams cover over 1,000 miles of Ireland’s coastline, racing from Cork to Dingle, Dingle to Galway, Galway to Kilybegs, Kilybegs to Belfast, and Belfast to Dublin. Running from 11 to 19 June, organisers are expecting one million people to attend in-port festivals during the race, with millions more following the event from all around the world. The event will reach Galway on Tuesday 14 June, with Wednesday 15 June dedicated to in-port activities before the crews set sail for Kilybegs on Thursday 16 June.

There will be a full festival line up during the event’s stay in the city, with live bands, food villages, activities on the water and more due to be announced in the coming weeks. At the event’s recent launch on Dublin’s Docklands, Minister for Agriculture, Food & the Marine Simon Coveney said that Galway was the city to beat for the party on the route, and that the teams “would all experience a party in Galway like no other in Ireland”.

At the launch, Minister Coveney also said that the international spotlight provided by the event would significantly boost Ireland’s economy, bringing jobs and tourism to the country as well as showcasing Ireland’s coastline, including the Wild Atlantic Way. “The technology involved in an event such as this further showcases the development and research currently being carried out in marine-based events, and Ireland will be at the forefront of this Industry,” he added. -

See more at: http://www.galwayindependent.com/ne...race-powers-into-galway/#sthash.TkrQJHMc.dpuf

 

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'Hibernia Racing' Launches 100 mph ALLBLACK SL44 in Cork Harbour For Venture Cup Race



Irish entry into June's Venture Cup offshore powerboat race, 'Hibernia Racing', will be launched and tested in Cork Harbour tomorrow. The Aluminium ALLBLACK SL44 will be testing alongside Vector Martini in the harbour from 1200–1600.

The crew for the 700–mile race is John Ryan, Driver and throttles, Philip Fitzgibbon, Navigation and co-driver, Ant Middleton (lead presenter from C4's series, SAS dare to win) Tactical and stamina training. There will be other 'non controlling' guest crew during the event. The boat is an FPT turbo diesel powered @ 1140 hp, 44' all aluminium, 100 mph with 650–mile range.

09 607733941 xl


Billed as the 'World's longest, toughest and most prestigious powerboat race' the Venture Cup takes place around Ireland from June 12th to 17th. The race was launched in Dublin in January.

It is understood the two race 40-foot race boats will be operating from Cobh tomorrow but will be viewable from Fort Camden. The boats, with a value of up to €200,000, are built for long distance marathon races. The boats plan to visit Cork City centre on Tuesday.

http://afloat.ie/power/powerboat-ra...ack-sl44-in-cork-harbour-for-venture-cup-race

 

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Huge reaction to Cork testing

Last Tuesday (5th April), saw two of the Venture Cup entries take to the waters of Cork Harbour to test the course for next June. 'Vector Martini' and 'Team Hibernia' ran four hours of high-octane testing and media-trips resulting in an enormously successful further step along the road ahead of the race start on June 12th. As teams will know, Venture boats aren't exactly designed for 'harbour-racing', but then Cork Harbour isn't your typical body of water - this is the second largest natural harbour in the world, surrounded by great viewing spots all around, and hugely unpredictable waters. Each 20-mile lap will take in everything from open seas, to waterfronts, to roaring under a bridge-span, and it's been very carefully designed by our internal racing and safety teams in close collaboration with Port of Cork. We're therefore delighted to report that the testing proved that the course is both safe and exhilarating, and there are now a LOT of people eagerly looking forward to seeing the full race fleet run that course in June. The days since the testing have seen enormous coverage right across local, regional and national media, with a great level of enthusiasm and anticipation for the big race now in place and growing rapidly.

 

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Peter Dredge and Trevor Leigh, in Vector Martini, attempt to chase down Team Hibernia

 

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Team Hibernia and Vector Martini, having completed testing in the harbour, moved to the centre of Cork City and the pontoon where all raceboats will be berthed during the opening weekend. Dignatories, guests and media were brought up to date with race plans while enjoying some good music, beer, food and hospitality.

 

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Venture Cup Powerboat Race Forecast As 'Big Irish Maritime Event'

It isn’t often that I am told “she is a beast of a boat…” with admiration in the voice of the person describing the boat to me. However, when she has over 2,000 horsepower to get her moving, it is probably a fair description because when the boat I was looking at moves, it travels very fast, it really goes. Aidan Foley was the man describing it to me. He is primarily responsible for what will be one of the biggest maritime events around the coast this year, in a season when the Round Ireland Yacht Race and Cork Week are also scheduled. Scroll down to listen to the podcast below.

To achieve that, it must be really something and that Cork has been chosen as the starting point for what is a world event is a great boost for Ireland in marine recognition internationally.

Aidan conveys confidence and ability about his task: “Half the organising team is Irish, so we are well equipped for what we plan to do.”

What they intend is to bring out crowds in Dingle, Galway, Killybegs, Belfast and Dublin, in addition to Cork where, when the Venture Cup was announced, the sound of two powerboats blasted across Cork Harbour from the seafront and made a spectacular sight, particularly when I saw one of them round the Naval Base on Haulbowline Island and speed under the bridge to the mainland. That will also be part of the special in-harbour racecourse before the powerboats start a race that takes them around coast to Dublin. The demonstration and the racing itself is planned in conjunction with port and local Council authorities and designed to provide spectator sport around the coast for up to what the organisers say could be a million people during the week-long event.

The powerboats I saw are powerful machines, though I wondered about the pummelling the bodies of drivers and crews will take along the West Coast. From Dingle to Galway, onto Killybegs and around the top of Ireland came to mind as likely tough locations for them, from my days offshore racing in the Round Ireland and the Round Britain and Ireland races.

Powerboat racing is physically demanding, the racers said. I can believe that as they power through, off, above and into waves. The shocks to the body can be considerable. But is also a hugely exciting, demanding and, of course, by its nature very fast sport and, yes, as they told me, potentially dangerous, so it demands experience and concentration on safety at speed in the water. The boats carry liferafts and, when I asked about the numbers on the bow of the boats, some of which appeared to be upside down, the laconic answer was “so, they are right side up for recognition and rescue if needed, should the boats go upside down!”

The Venture Cup is forecast to be Ireland’s “largest public, free event” this Summer, starting with the Cork in-harbour race on Sunday, June 12, with the first leg the following day, Monday, June 13, to Dingle and finishing in Dublin on the following Sunday, June 19. “Twenty-five teams from across the world will participate in the official World Cup for Offshore Powerboat racing and it will be broadcast globally,” the organisers said. Celebrity drivers will be in the boats, Bruno Senna and David Gandy amongst them on Vector Martini Racing and adventurer Bear Grylls as part of the support team. It is one of the favourites to win. Last year the Vector V40R race boat broke four speed records on Coniston Water and retained the Cowes-Torquay-Cowes race title, with a maximum speed of 135mph. These boats are built for offshore racing, Aidan Foley told me in this Podcast interview, when I asked him about the race after the boats leave Cork and he also told me that a male model, surprising as that might seem, will be crewing on the powerboats around Ireland.

http://afloat.ie/blogs/island-natio...-boat-a-male-model-an-attempt-to-copy-sailing