SAILING/Round-up: The annual fixtures calendar, long held out as an example of bad planning, is set to be overhauled if an Irish Sailing Association (ISA) proposal that attempts to "grade" events goes ahead.
In a working paper sent to clubs and classes this month, the association is attempting to reform the traditional season and persuade classes to combine events and move other regattas to the autumn. But there has been reaction from some class officers.
The national authority wants to call its fixtures "primary events", such as the Helmsman's championships and Team Racing National Championships, starting in 2007. Other events would be given a "grade" from one to four, depending on criteria such as race and event management standards.
At present there are fixtures meetings in the south and east, held in late autumn, where representatives of all clubs and classes are invited to discuss the calendar for the following year.
In an open letter to classes, the association's racing manager, David Quinn, says: "Date clashes and the complicated nature of our events calendar are hindering our ability to promote the sport to a wider audience, and causing difficulty for organisers and sailors alike."
Now, if the plan - similar to the one employed by the world sailing body, ISAF, and other sports - goes ahead, the Irish Sports Council and Fáilte Ireland will become involved. Events looking for significant funding from either body, or the ISA, would have to declare their grade and fulfil criteria to receive funding.
No decisions have been made so far on the proposal, and the ISA are urging input from all clubs and classes as to the best way forward, before August 31st.
Air corps pilot Mick Liddy is considering this Sunday's weather pattern as an outside option for an attempt at the Round Ireland single-handed sailing speed record, but he adds that he is in no particular rush, mindful, of course, that there have been two unsuccessful attempts at the seven-day record already this summer, one stormbound, the other becalmed.
Limerick sailor Ger O'Rourke flies out to Hamilton, Australia, with an eight-man crew for a maiden sail in his new Cookson 50-footer Chieftain this month.
Disappointed that the new Commodore's Cup rules set by the Royal Ocean Racing Club will ban shifting ballast, O'Rourke may need to fix his swinging keel to avail of an IRC credit and have any chance of inclusion in an Irish line-up next year.
FIXTURES: Schull Regatta/Calves Week (www.schull.ie). Mermaid Nationals in Wexford Harbour (www.whbtc.com/sailing); Howth 17-Footer Championship, Howth Yacht Club (www.hyc.ie); Shipman National Championship, National Yacht Club; Dinghy & South East Clubs Regattas & Murdoch Trophy (www.braysailingclub.ie); Crookhaven Regatta (www.sail-crookhaven.com) Lough Derg Regatta (www.ldyc.ie).
