End of an era for Boat Show

BOAT SHOW: The annual London International Boat Show reaches its finale this weekend and is marking the end of an era at its Earls Court location. From 2004, on the water exhibits will bring the event into line with its September rival event in Southampton and other worldwide venues.

A seasonal favourite for hundreds of Irish sailors, thanks to a mix of boating attractions and the city's vast array of entertainment, the pilgrimage to the meeting point at the Guinness Bar is considered an essential part of pre-season planning.

Nevertheless, next year's event is certain to be as popular as the show moves to the Excel venue in London's Docklands. A minute's walk from the City Airport is likely to see an increase in visitors even for a day trip while cheap fares provide an alternative to costly accommodation for some Irish exhibitors.

But the news from London isn't all good. Perhaps fuelled by the end of the Earls Court formula, anecdotal reports from the show suggest sluggish interest and small crowds.

Elsewhere, news from Cowes is that the much heralded Admiral's Cup transfer from Ireland to the home of British yachting has yet to produce the promised infusion of activity. To date, a single team from Australia has declared, although the formal notice of race and entry form have been published for two months.

Meanwhile, the Dublin Boat Show is scheduled for the end of February in an experimental move to an annual event. The theme selected is that of 'Getting Started', a move designed to bring newcomers into every avenue of watersports. Both the timing and theme suggest that the Irish boating scene continues to expand beyond its traditional yacht club core base.

Dun Laoghaire received a welcome boost just before Christmas with the news that the new boatyard is to start operations in time for the new season. A 40-tonne travel lift will be installed after levelling work takes place at the site that is currently parking spaces.

It is understood that other confirmed facilities will include repair and maintenance contractors on-site as well as brokerage services. The yard will operate beside the marina fuel berth and forms part of the plan envisaged in the entire marina development. Dun Laoghaire Yacht Services will be operated by MGM Marine led by the Salmon brothers who have been operating from Malahide.

The Nortas Mirror World Championships begin in Tasmania tomorrow with a strong Irish squad of eight boats competing against a 100-plus field from eight countries.

The squad features current Irish national champion Andrew Woodward and James Bendon (Royal Cork YC), Bobby Collins (current ISA Junior Helmsmans Champion and Eastern Region Mirror Champion) and Fintan Hughes (National YC), Chris Clayton (ranked third in the Irish Mirror rankings) and Craig Martin (Royal North of Ireland YC), Stephen Browne and Philip McCutcheon (Royal Irish YC), Stephen Glennon and Evie Ward (Howth and Lough Derg YCs), Nick Malone and Ali Baker (Malahide and National YCs) and Brian Cox and Olivia Egan (Wexford Harbour and Lough Derg YCs).