ISA puts faith in new fleet

Sailing:With the Irish Sailing Association (ISA) in no doubt about the extent of its dependence on the non-sailing public for future growth, it launches a new fleet of boats tomorrow in a significant, €500,000 initiative.

The fleet has been purchased by the association to expand the sport around the country - especially to promote sailing to newcomers. But it is 16 of the country's top sailors, including Olympic team members, who will sail the boats first this weekend at the All-Ireland championships.

Douglas Heard first lifted the silver salver in 1947 when the championship, then known as the Helmsmans championships, was first sailed in Dún Laoghaire in Firefly dinghies.

Sixty years on, the waters for the event may be the same but our new prosperity has significantly changed the way people go sailing.

The fleet of identical keelboats parked this morning at the National YC is a sight the late Heard (who went on to become the ISA's first president) would proudly acknowledge as a major step forward.

Tomorrow's event may have changed its format as many times as it has changed its name, but regardless of flaws in its composition it remains the prize most crews want to win.

The arrival of the J80 should make this a fairer process for the moment at least. The keelboat is an ISAF-recognised class and has a reputation for satisfying match and team-racing requirements. The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) have a fleet of eight boats, as have a number of America's Cups teams who use them for match practice.

In time for the 60th anniversary celebrations, the ISA has answered critics not with a name change - as has happened three times - but with an impressive fleet of nine new keelboats each valued at €46,000.

A 1720 champion, Peter O'Leary, won the event in 2007 when predictably ­ critics argue ­ the event was held in that class but this time none of the line-up has the advantage of sailing their own boats. A junior and girls event is being held in tandem and there are 24 invitees.

In Cork, the Irish Cruiser Racer Association meets next Tuesday at Cork Airport hotel to form a team for next year's RORC Commodore's Cup. The meeting will also discuss training programmes and sponsorship.

All Ireland Championships invitees:D Crosbie, ICRA 1, National YC; D Rose, ICRA 2, Royal Cork YC; G O'Rourke, Wildcard, Western YC; G Owens, Olympic Nominee, Royal St George YC; J Espey, Laser; Royal Ulster YC: J Hall, Beneteau First 31.7, National YC; J Craig, Shannon One Design, Lough Derg YC; M O'Connell, Olympic Nominee Royal Cork YC & Royal St George YC; N Hegarty, Wildcard Royal St George YC; N Henry, GP14, Sligo YC; N McGrotty, Mermaid, Skerries SC; N Butler, Fireball, Dun Laoghaire MYC; P O'Leary, Defending Champion, Royal Cork YC; S Brien, Squib, Royal North of Ireland YC; S Hyde, J24, Royal Cork YC; T Fitzpatrick, SB3 Sportsboat, Howth YC.