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Chay Blyth to speak at SAIL BY THE LEE.
This years event in aid of Kinsale RNLI's new Lifeboat Station!
Friday,
06-Feb at 12:00 2009: Sir Chay Blyth, OBE, will address RNLI supporters at the  annual RNLI "Sailling by the Lee" lunch scheduled to take place at the Maryborough House Hotel, Douglas, Cork on Friday the 6th February, 2009. This event, sponsored by North Sails Ireland will continue the long standing tradition in Cork of sell-out fundraising lunches for the local RNLI Lifeboat branches. Last February, a superb day was had by all who attended with Brad Butterworth as guest speaker. Previous high profile speakers at this special event have included Ron Holland, Roy Disney, Bruno Troublé and Brad Butterworth.
This event's proceeds will be applied to the new Kinsale RNLI Lifeboat Station, currently under construction at Adam's Quay, Kinsale, for which funds are urgently required.
The event takes place at 1200 (drinks reception) followed by lunch at 1245hrs sharp at the Maryborough Hotel & Spa, Douglas.
Once again this year, the interest in the event has been enormous. Tables of 10 are once again selling for €500 each this year.
Once again this year, the interest in the event has been huge.
Tables of are 10 are selling for €500 each and are available from:
Susie Elliot (susie.kinsale@gmail.com), Ph +353 087 9183337
Sales for the event is strictly on a FIRST PAID, FIRST SERVED basis. Due to the level of interest to date, tables will only be allocated on receipt of payment in full, which unfortunately must be without exception. Those who were kind enough to purchase tickets for a table last year, will have preference this year. All 35 tables will be held for all such individuals until Monday, 12th January 2009 after which all remaining tickets will be released to the general public. Please contact Susie Elliott at 087-9183337 for more information and reservations.
Sir Chay Blyth was born in Hawick, Scotland on 14 May 1940. When only 18 years old, he joined the British Army's Parachute Regiment where he rose quickly through the ranks of the Third Battalion becoming Sergeant at the age of 21, the regiment's youngest ever platoon Sergeant at that time. In 1966, Sergeant Chay Blyth, together with Captain John  Ridgeway, rowed across the North Atlantic from Cape Cod to the Aran Islands in a 20ft dory. The journey was completed in 90 days and Chay was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM). In 1971 aboard the 59ft ketch British Steel, Chay Blyth became the first person to sail non-stop around the world against the prevailing winds and currents. The journey was described by The Times newspaper in London as "The most outstanding passage ever made by one man alone". In recognition of his achievement, he was made a Commander of The British Empire (CBE) and was voted Yachtsman of the Year by the Yachting Journalists Association.
Chay Blyth has established an impressive list of yacht racing successes and sailing endeavours including:
- 1971:First person to sail single-handed, non-stop around the world against the prevailing winds and current.
- 1973-1974 :Skippered the yacht Great Britain II in the Whitbread Round The World Yacht Race with a crew of Paratroopers. Won the Elapsed Time Prize for the fastest yacht overall.
- 1978: Won the Two-handed Round Britain race with Rob James in the yacht Great Britain IV.
- 1981: Won the Two-handed Transatlantic race with Rob James in the yacht Brittany Ferries GB, breaking the existing record.
- 1981-1982: Entered the Whitbread race again in the yacht United Friendly (formerly Great Britain II).
- 1982:Second overall in Round Britain Race, first in Class I on the yacht Brittany Ferries GB.
- 1984: With companion Eric Blunn, Sir Blyth set out on the trimaran Beefeater II to break the record of The Flying Cloud for the fastest passage from New York to San Francisco. Capsized off Cape Horn and spent 19 hours in the water before being rescued.
- 1986: Co-skipper of the successful Blue Riband transatlantic attempt on Virgin Atlantic Challenger II.
- 1989: Chay Blyth created The Challenge Business and launched the first Challenge Race, The British Steel Challenge, styled the toughest yacht race ever. The ethos of the event was to allow ordinary men and women to undertake The Challenge of a Lifetime, The Adventure of their Lives by competing in a high profile event. His intention was to break down 'barriers' to yachting for individuals and sponsoring companies.
- 1992-93: British Steel Challenge; ten identical yachts race around the world against the prevailing winds and currents.
- 1996-97: BT Global Challenge; fourteen identical yachts race around the world against the prevailing winds and currents.
- 1997: Atlantic Rowing Race, twenty-four teams row across the Atlantic from Los Gigantes, Tenerife to Port St. Charles, Barbados.
- 1997: Sir Blyth was knighted by Her Majesty the Queen for his services to sailing.
Sailing by the Lee 2008 is generously supported by North Sails Ireland- Access to the Worlds fastest sails is more local than you might think!
The RNLI is a registered charity that saves lives at sea. It provides an on call 24-hour lifeboat search & rescue service as a web of protection around the coast of Ireland and the UK. RNLI Lifeboats rely entirely on charitable donations.
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