News
Celebrity chef to race Ironman
BRITISH CHEF Gordon Ramsay will be taking part in this year’s Ironman Wales, on Sunday September 14, 2014.
Ramsay’s confirmation to race in Tenby follows the success of his first Ironman experience at the World Championship in Kona, Hawaii in October last year.
There he proved that he is not only a force to be reckoned with in the kitchen, but also physically and mentally as an IRONMAN athlete finishing in an impressive 14:04:48 for the 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile marathon, despite the soaring temperatures and windy conditions that Hawaii is notorious for.
That experience will put Gordon in good stead for the event in Wales, as it is reputedly one of the toughest on the European circuit. Staged in the heart of Tenby, the surrounding countryside not only provides a spectacular setting for this ultimate challenge, but its phenomenal atmosphere rivals any other Ironman event.
Whilst the course may push the boundaries for the athletes with its 1,750m of climbing combined with unpredictable Welsh conditions, the support of the crowds and electric atmosphere is what the event has become renowned for.
On commenting why he had chosen Ironman Wales as his next challenge, Ramsay said, “When I was growing up in Stratford-Upon-Avon, Tenby was a destination for our family holidays which I have never forgotten. I have happy memories of the beautiful beaches and amazing scenic backdrop and am looking forward to now racing there for the first time at Ironman Wales.”
Ramsay will be up against 2,150 athletes taking part in the event, with 322 in his male 45-49 category. Last year the top athlete in this age group finished in a time of 10:16:03.Kevin Stewart, Managing Director for Ironman UK and Ireland commented: “We are delighted that Gordon has chosen Wales for his return to Ironman racing. We know the athletes love the demanding course, in part because the public turns out in huge numbers to support all the athletes. We look forward to welcoming Gordon and all our athletes to Pembrokeshire in September.”
News
Missing photographer Chris Ellery safe in Ireland after two-day ordeal
A KEEN photographer from Bristol, Chris Ellery, has made a miraculous landing in Ireland after his small boat broke down in the Irish Sea, sparking a two-day search effort along the Pembrokeshire coastline.
The 54-year-old set off from Fishguard on Thursday (Oct 31) on a solo outing, expecting a brief return journey. When he failed to arrive back as scheduled, family members and authorities were alerted, leading to a large-scale, multi-agency search across the waters and shores of Pembrokeshire and Cardigan Bay.
Breakdown in the Irish Sea
According to HM Coastguard, Mr. Ellery ran into engine trouble while heading west towards Ireland. The three-metre (10ft) black inflatable boat suffered a breakdown mid-journey; although he managed to restart the engine, his phone had also stopped working, cutting off any chance of communication. Stranded and without a working phone, Chris continued his journey until he eventually came ashore on Saturday in County Wicklow.
After making landfall, he walked to the nearest police station, where he was able to contact authorities. The Gardaí confirmed he was “tired but okay,” ending days of intense worry for his family and friends.
Chris’s family had travelled to Fishguard after losing contact with him and grew increasingly concerned. His daughter, Kenzie Ellery, issued a heartfelt appeal on social media, urging anyone with information to come forward. On Saturday afternoon, she shared a joyful update: “MY DAD IS ALIVE HE HAS BEEN FOUND IN IRELAND,” bringing much relief to all those involved in the search.
Two-day search operation
HM Coastguard resumed its search efforts early on Saturday, deploying aircraft, RNLI boat crews, and Coastguard teams across North Pembrokeshire, Cardigan Bay, and St Brides Bay. Dyfed-Powys Police had joined the search as well, after the Coastguard retrieved some of Mr. Ellery’s personal items on a remote cove earlier in the operation.
A Coastguard spokesperson commented, “He came ashore in County Wicklow and made his way to a local police station. They contacted Dyfed-Powys Police. It’s good news.”
The family has expressed their gratitude for the extensive support received from search teams and the local community. The remarkable journey, from the initial breakdown at sea to reaching safety on Irish shores, has brought relief and closure to what could have been a tragic outcome.
St Davids RNLI said their crew were part of the major multi agency search operation
St Davids RNLI said: “Volunteers on both our all-weather and inshore lifeboats were delighted to receive freshly cooked bacon, sausage and egg sandwiches from our own crew member Judd and his FPV Rhodri Morgan crew.
“This was a very welcome boost for morale during the intensive search.”
Fishguard RNLI confirmed: “Our volunteer crew were paged to launch both lifeboats on Friday to assist with the search for a missing person.
“Both lifeboats were again out on the water this morning conducting a further search of the coastline.
“[On Saturday] there was good news that the individual had been located in Ireland, and so a positive outcome to the search over the last few days.
“Eight lifeboats across five stations played their part in searching the Welsh coast from Skomer Island up to Mwnt and out into Cardigan Bay along with Coastguard volunteers and aircraft crew.”
Daughter Kenzie Ellery took to social media on Saturday afternoon, saying: “I just want to say thank you for all the amazing support from everyone.
“The details are still vague but we will be able to answer questions in time, the important part is dad is alive, safe and well!
“It’s been great how social media can bring people together positively and see communities come together to help.
“Thank you to everyone involved.”
News
Plane, helicopter and lifeboats in search for missing man Chris Ellery
A MULTI-AGENCY search continues in the Fishguard area for 54-year-old Chris Ellery, missing since Wednesday (Oct 30) after setting off alone from Fishguard Harbour in a black RHIB.
Concerns for Chris’s safety were raised after he failed to return home as expected on Thursday (Oct 31). The last sighting of the experienced sailor was captured on CCTV at 2:00pm on Wednesday, just as he left the harbour.
Since then, Dyfed Powys Police, HM Coastguard, and RNLI have been conducting extensive land and sea searches. Helicopters, fixed wing aircraft and search vessels are combing the sea off Fishguard.
Rescue efforts were paused Friday evening due to fading daylight but resumed early Saturday morning.
Personal items found amid search
During Friday’s search, personal belongings linked to Chris were discovered on a secluded cove, accessible only by boat. While this discovery intensified efforts in the remote area, there has yet to be any sign of his boat or other trace of Chris.
In a Facebook appeal, his daughter, Kenzie Ellery, described her father as “always very prepared” and pleaded for help from the public. She shared a photo of the boat he was last seen on and encouraged local residents to stay vigilant along the coast. Kenzie also mentioned an AirTag device her father carried, which last pinged in the sea near Fishguard.
Public plea for assistance
Kenzie’s heartfelt plea has been shared widely, with family and friends in Bristol circulating the information in hopes of reaching those closer to the search zone. “We all need him to be home, and we pray that he is safe,” she wrote. “Please share this post—we need him to be safe and home as soon as possible.”
Police appeal for information
Dyfed Powys Police have asked anyone with information on Chris’s whereabouts to get in touch. Residents along the Fishguard coastline are urged to report any unusual sightings immediately.
Anyone with information can contact police through:
- Direct message on social media
- The police website: Dyfed Powys Police
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 101
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired, text 07811 311 908. Quote reference: 102 of the 1st Nov.
News
Massive search and rescue off Pembrokeshire coast for Chris Ellery
A LARGE-SCALE air and sea search operation is took place off the Fishguard coast following the mysterious disappearance of a man on a solo boating trip.
The search, which began at 3:00pm on Friday (Nov 1), has seen Coastguard helicopters and search vessels combing the area for signs of Chris Ellery, who was last in contact on Wednesday, October 30.
Family members have taken to social media in a desperate plea for assistance in locating Chris, who is known to be an experienced and well-prepared sailor. His daughter, Kenzie Ellery, shared a heartfelt post on Facebook, describing her father as “always very prepared” for potential challenges at sea, and expressed deep concern that no communication has been possible since Wednesday.
Dyfed Powys Police said: “We have been involved in a multi-agency search throughout the day for a man reported missing and believed to be in the Fishguard area.”
The police told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “A call was received from colleagues at Avon and Somerset Police at just before 10.20am today (Friday, November 1) requesting assistance in locating the man who was known to be visiting the area on Wednesday, October 30.
“Concerns were raised when he failed to return home yesterday.”
Personal belongings discovered
According to reports, police and Coastguard teams discovered some of Ellery’s belongings on a secluded cove accessible only by boat, intensifying efforts in this remote area. Despite locating personal items, there has been no sign of his boat or any further trace of the missing man himself. Kenzie revealed that her father was due to return home by midday on Thursday, October 31, but contact ceased shortly after he set off on his journey.
Public plea for assistance
Kenzie’s Facebook post included a photo of the small boat her father was last seen on, and she urged local residents along the coastline to stay vigilant and report any unusual sightings immediately. She mentioned that her father had an AirTag device with him, which last signalled in the sea near Fishguard. She noted that friends and family in Bristol have limited ability to assist physically but are sharing the information widely in the hope it reaches those closer to the search area.
In her appeal, Kenzie wrote: “We all need him to be home, and we pray that he is safe. Please share this post—we need him to be safe and home as soon as possible.”
Ongoing rescue efforts
The coastguard operation is expected to continue on Saturday, with helicopters again making repeated passes over the Fishguard coastline and nearby sea. Aviation enthusiasts reported sightings of search aircraft involved in the operation on Friday.
Dyfed Powys Police said that its officers were deployed in the operation, “with land and sea-based searches carried out throughout the day”.
At one point early on Friday evening there were reportedly five RNLI lifeboats involved in the operation, including both in-shore and all-weather vessels.
The FPV (Fisheries Patrol Vessel) Rhodri Morgan and FPV Gwenllian are also in the area but it is unclear if they were also involved in the search, which was postponed due to it getting dark at 7.20pm.
Police and Coastguard authorities are urging residents along the Fishguard coastline to remain alert and report any potential sightings or evidence of the missing boater.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the police.
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