SAILING:THE BIENNIAL round Ireland race has received a boost to its turnout prospects this year following the news from Wicklow Sailing Club that the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) has raised the 704-mile course to the same status as the Fastnet Race.
Against a backdrop of the economic situation here, results from the Irish event will count for bonus points in the RORC season that in turn is expected to boost entries. The British-based international club has had strong turnouts for its events over the past number of seasons, including a record fleet of 350 boats for the Rolex Fastnet Race last August.
There is also strong interest from Dún Laoghaire boats, as well as the Irish Sea Offshore Racing Association (ISORA) fleet so event chairman Denis Noonan says he’s optimistic there will be a strong showing for the event that starts on June 24th.
The Irish Cruiser Racing Association IRC national championships at Howth in May appears set to continue with the strong fleets of recent years showing in Dún Laoghaire and Crosshaven. Cork boats have already expressed a commitment to travel to Dublin, provided there is a reciprocal effort in 2013 when the event moves to Fenit.
Interest from boats based on Belfast Lough has already led to discussions regarding the possibility of taking the championship north of the Border in three years’ time.
Interest from Scottish crews in competing in the Irish championships has also been reported by organiser Norbert Reilly from Howth YC as the event allows boats to take part while moving gradually southwards to Crosshaven for Cork Week in early July.
However, overlapping slightly with the Royal Cork Yacht Club event will be the Volvo Ocean Race finish in Galway on the second weekend of July.
Cork Week has shifted from its traditional fixture of the third weekend of July as a knock-on effect of the London 2012 Olympics affecting participants from the south coast of Britain. Although numbers taking part have dropped dramatically in recent years, the event might be attractive for teams aiming for the Commodores’ Cup in the final week of July in Cowes.
Ireland holds the trophy following the ICRA team’s win in 2010 but a defence has yet to be confirmed.
Meanwhile, the Olympic regatta at Weymouth will get underway from the start of August and is certain to be closely watched by younger elite sailors aspiring to the 2020 Games when they gather in Dún Laoghaire in July.
The ISAF Youth World Championships take place immediately after Cork Week and this week announce sponsorship from Four Star Pizza for the 10-day event in Dún Laoghaire.
