Team Europe Completes Line Up: UPDATE

An eleventh team comprising boats from Russia, Belgium and France has been confirmed as meeting the entry criteria laid down by event organiser, the Royal Ocean Racing Club.

Two of the team members, Follow Me and Merlin were seen competing at Cork week that finished today, alongside other notable Commodores Cup entries including Boat Of The Week winner, Nick Jones’ Beneteau 40.7 Tarka, member of the GBR White Team. Follow Me finished a credible sixth in IRC 1, with a second in the final race of the regatta behind the Irish Team Member, Colm BARRINGTON’s Flying Glove. Merlin, a less conventional looking 34 foot boat finished strongly in the regatta but a poor start to the week saw her fourth in IRC 3.

All three National Authorities concerned have had to endorse the entry. And, the strict nationality requirements have been met.

RORC is delighted not just because the number of participating teams is at the level of the previous event, but this is the first time an east European boat has taken part; a sign that the profile of the Rolex Commodores’ Cup continues to grow internationally.

Team Europe is as follows:

Follow Me and Serguei KOTSIOUBA are currently racing in Class IRC 0 at Cork Week, where a number of other Rolex Commodores’ Cup competitors are in action.