Sea-faring star sails to Rathlin

INTERNATIONALLY renowned sailor, Trevor Robertson, is sailing to Rathlin Island for the Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival, and will be giving a talk on ‘Three Winters on Ice’ on Wednesday, 27th May 2015 in the Parochial Hall, Rathlin.

Born in Africa, raised in Western Australia and now sailing all over the world, Trevor Robertson initially trained as a geologist and worked on an off- shore oil rig. Trevor built his own 35-foot steel cutter named Iron Bark in Maryborough, Queensland before moving abroad.

Learning that a month on an oil rig could fund a whole year of sea travel aboard his beloved Iron Bark, Trevor repeated this pattern to fund his sailing obsession, allowing him to embark upon some spectacular journeys.

Trevor Robertson is the only sailor in history to have overwintered, frozen in the ice in both the Arctic and Antarctic, both in the same boat. It is these kind of achievements that saw Trevor and his wife, Annie, jointly awarded the highest accolade in the sailing world, the Blue Water Medal of the Cruising Club of America.

Having recently arrived in Scotland from Newfoundland, Trevor passed through the eye of Hurricane Cristobal, which was caused by a post-tropical depression, blowing at force twelve, so a short hop across the Irish Sea in the month of May to the stunning Rathlin Island will be a much easier journey.

Speaking ahead of his talk in Rathlin, Trevor explained: “When I received an invitation to come to the Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival to give a talk, I was only too delighted to accept! I’m going to be delivering a discourse on my sailing adventures around the theme of ‘Three Winters in the Ice’, and exploring my time spent overwintering.

“I’m also looking forward to having a chat with some like-minded individuals and engaging on some of the activities on Rathlin.”

Caroline Carey, Tourism Officer at Causeway Coast and Glens said; “The Festival Committee are only too delighted to have the famous Trevor Robertson visit our Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival. Many in the seafaring world will have heard of Trevor and his fantastic sailing exploits. I’ve no doubt that he is a very welcome addition to our many events and activities taking place over the ten day Festival.

“The focus turns to Rathlin particularly over the weekend beginning Friday 29th May with traditional boat racing and demonstrations, a Vikings battle, a Big Lunch and the Rathlin Coastguard Rescue Team Line Throwing competition.

“There really is something for everyone at this Festival so if you are at loss at what to do, it really would be worth listening to Trevor Robertson telling of his extreme adventures, never mind watching the Viking battle or having a Big Lunch!”

For further information about the Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival, log on to www.heartofthecausewaycoastandglens.com/maritimefestival or contact Ballycastle Visitor Information Centre on 028 2076 2024 or email [email protected].