SAILING:CLEAR EVIDENCE Irish sailors are rallying to fend off the worst effects of the economy has emerged recently with indications of little or no drop in activity. The Irish Cruiser Racing Association (ICRA) National Championships in two weeks has already attracted 111 entries, with more expected.
As of yesterday, the “ICRA’s” had attracted 88 teams for the main IRC-handicapped titles. In addition, 22 crews have entered for this year’s innovation to the series, the Corinthian Cup, aimed at less regular sailors.
The event has also attracted a new sponsor in Liebher, and with two weeks remaining a match of the 100 boats turnout in Howth 2008, is still possible.
Of particular note is the spread of entries from outside Dublin and Cork. Boats from Sligo and along the west coast to the Shannon and Fenit are included, in addition to crews from Liverpool and Pwellhi.
Anthony O’Leary’s Antix is the certain favourite for Class Zero, though Tim Costello’s Tiamat was also on form at the Cowes Easter Challenge. Parsing the 24-strong Class One fleet is trickier, though defending champions Rockabill V are a force to be considered. But Barry Cunningham’s Contango crew is well-practised and several J109s are strong.
Class Two features the strongest turnout with 29 crews entered, and, with three consecutive titles to their credit, Richard Colwell and John Murphy’s Corby 25-footer Kinetic from Howth must be favourite. But club mate Anthony Gore-Grimes on Dux could steal an edge if the weather co-operates.
In Class Three, J24s have found their transition from one-design to handicap racing quite seamless, and defending champion Flor O’Driscoll with Hard On Port will again be in action on his adoptive home waters.
To assist delivery of the visiting fleet to Dún Laoghaire, a feeder race has been organised to start from Royal Cork next weekend, with a two-handed division to encourage entries for the Round Ireland Race next month.
Last weekend’s Mitsubishi Motors Youth Championship also attracted a diverse entry of 235 boats from 26 clubs. The annual event was co-hosted by the National Yacht Club (NYC) with the neighbouring Royal St George.
Meanwhile, due to the installation of a new, five-metre wide berthing pontoon at that club, the annual Baily Bowl has been moved to the NYC next weekend. Sponsored by Dublin Port and jointly-organised under the burgee of the Royal Alfred YC, a strong showing of one-design entries is expected.
And in Howth this weekend, the British Youth champions, team Echo Racing, are favourites for the Investwise Dublin Match Racing Open.
branigan@indigo.ie
