John Ryan with his Hibernia Racing crew of Philip Fitzgibbon, Sean McNamara and Denis Dillon shattered the Round Ireland powerboat record last year with a time of 12 hours 54 minutes and 24 seconds.

Ryan’s FPT powered ALLBLACK SL44 hull was a strong favourite for Cowes Torquay Cowes honours last September, only for mechanical gremlins to rob his team of more success.

Recognising Ryan’s record, afloat.ie have nominated him for their Irish ‘Afloat Sailor of the Year 2016’ award.

Ryan’s Record Breaking Team

They have picked out 22 individual sailors and pairings who have excelled in their respective disciplines, be it offshore, dinghy, cruise or powerboating.

On Friday, January 27 their judging panel will announce the Sailor of the Year at the RDS Library in Dublin.

Ryan commented on the nomination;

The Hibernia Racing team and I are delighted that we have been shortlisted for the Volvo Afloat ISA Sailor of the Year Award 2016.
It’s the first time that the sport of Powerboating has been recognised in this prestigious Award Ceremony and to be honoured by nomination alongside Irelands Rio Olympic medal winners is truly humbling.

The ALLBLACK SL44 hull at Cowes – Photo: Nigel Barrett

To vote for John Ryan please go to the Afloat website.