A Mullagh man who won one of the world's most prestigious yacht races last week says he has conquered a lifelong dream of his.
Tom Dolan secured his historic win at the La Solitaire du Fiugaro Paprec competition last Wednesday.
Growing up on a farm on the Cavan/Meath border with his mother near Mullagh makes Dolan an unlikely sailing champion but, he has spoken previously about how he has always broken the sailing mould.
Speaking to Northern Sound today, the skipper says what he lacked in access to sea waters he made up for it with so many lakes in his locality. He said that Lough Ramor was where it all began for him.
Tom says moving to France 12 years ago was centred around competing and winning this world renowned yacht race, La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec is one of the most gruelling and prestigious of all the solo French offshore races. Tom finished ninth in the first of two stages but went on to win the second 515 mile stage. He finished 7th in the third and final stage but had already done enough to clinch the overall lead.
The Mullagh man who attended school in Bailieboro says this victory is the reward for years of work and sacrifice both from himself and his family.
