Two Irish hope to race in Figaro as it visits east coast

SAILING:TWO FLEDGLING Irish La Solitaire du Figaro campaigns edged closer to the start line this week when an entry list of 71 skippers, including Dún Laoghaire's Mick Liddy and Paul O'Riain, was announced.

Both skippers warn that elusive sponsorship (approximately €115,000) remains a vital pre-requisite, but Dublin hosts, the National YC, are urging on the solo sailors, saying an Irish competitor will add a welcome extra local dimension.

The Grand Prix comes to Dún Laoghaire on its 500-mile second leg for four days in August.

Liddy, an experienced offshore sailor, enters as a rookie, but O’Riain campaigned in 2007, sponsored then by Cityjet.

The race is almost entirely dominated by professional entries, with full-time campaigns such as Swiss sailor Bernard Stamm’s costing up to €250,000 per year. Five Irish sailors had indicated an interest, but this week just two declared in the 71-boat fleet.

The Figaro, now in its 42nd year, is sailed in 33ft one-design Beneteaus over 1,700 miles. The race is broken into four legs around the French coast. The second leg, from Caen, in northern France, to Dún Laoghaire will be the only foreign leg.

The 2011 fleet features a number of past winners, and Armel Le Cléac’h returns to defend his title, but there is an influx of non-French crews too, including 24 rookie campaigns.

In a blow to a budding match-racing scene on the south coast, there will be no leg of the tour at Royal Cork. Kinsale Yacht Club has opted out of the ISA’s Sailfleet programme and as a result match-racing in Munster will be absent in 2011.

In a set-back for boating on the Irish Sea, the inaugural Liverpool Boat Show planned for late May was sensationally cancelled this week. There was involvement on this side of the Irish Sea through link with Dublin clubs. The organisers said it had been forced to cancel due to the economic climate and lack of exhibitors.

Howth Yacht Club has announced its first coaching development manager. Graeme Grant has been appointed to help enhance the skills of members across all levels at the country’s largest club. In Crosshaven, the Royal Cork is recruiting an operations manager with responsibility for overseeing the club facilities, hospitality and sailing activities.

The Dublin Bay Old Gaffers rally is scheduled for May 27th-30th at Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club, with the unique Asgard Perpetual Trophy as its top prize. The piece was crafted by John Kearon, shipwright in charge of the Asgard conservation programme using original and new wood from the ketch.

The domestic Fireball regatta schedule for 2011 was always going to be difficult to finalise with the class World Championships being staged in Sligo in June. Around this the Irish class have slotted five regular regattas. More on this on the Fireball Facebook page.

Two-handed IRC racing makes its debut in July’s Volvo Dún Laoghaire Regatta.