Sailing NewsHaving notched up a strong performance on British waters last weekend, top ranked single hander Chris Penney (13), will lead an Irish squad for this summer's Topper European championships, to be sailed on home waters. Penney finished second on Rutland water in the UK's Eric Twiname trophy for under-14s.
The inland performance in the 69-boat fleet is a boost for the Carrickfergus sailor. He has been recognised at home by European Championship organisers who are keen to field a potent squad when the championships are sailed on Blessington lake from Sunday, August 14th to Friday, August 19th.
It is is the second time a major Topper event will be sailed here; the World Championships were held here in Cushendall in County Antrim in 2000.
Class president Gerry Ryan indicated last night that Penney's ranking as second in his under-14 age category is a boost for an Irish squad that will make up a third of the expected 150-boat fleet for the Wicklow event.
Irish squad members Barry McCarten (15), from Cushendall, Sarah Ebrill (15), from Wexford are also expected to do well.
Yesterday afternoon, Ryan launched the five-day championships - one of two European sailing championships to be held in Ireland this year - in the presence of Minister Dick Roche and sailing officials.
Sailors from the UK will predominate, where British fleet numbers top 250 at national championships, but organisers also hope for entries from France, Germany and Dubai.
Staying on fresh water, the Irish Fireball Association is renaming it's 2005 Ulster Championship as the Fireball Ulster and Celtic Championships.
The rename marks the running of the first Celtic Championships in parallel with the Ulsters in Lough Erne Yacht Club on May 21st and 22nd.
At least four Scottish Fireballs are travelling from Aberdeen for the second major event of the Irish Fireball calendar and a new perpetual trophy has been commissioned for the event.
The prize is open to any boat with Celtic roots and in time the fleets hope to attract interest from Welsh and Breton sailors.
It is planned that in 2006 Irish sailors will make the return trip to Scotland to do battle for the prize.
In France, Dublin Bay sailor Johnny Ross Murphy, crewed by Ed Peel and Andrew Cantwell opened the season by winning the first and last races in the Grand Prix Petite Nav at Douarnenez last week to finish fourth overall in a star studded Dragon fleet.
The event was won by German World Champion Jorgen Schonerr.
On Dublin Bay tomorrow, the Royal Alfred Baily Bowl for one design classes is being hosted by the Royal St GYC. There will be three race courses in operation with the bigger boats, the Sigma 33's and Beneteau 31.7, sailing North of the Liffey.
