8th May 2021 The spirit of Irish sailing – Ian Hickey s veteran Granada 38 Cavatina (Royal Cork YC) making a perfectly-timed start in the Dun Laoghaire-Dingle race. A successful participant in Fastnet, Round Ireland, Dingle and AZAB races, Cavatina is in the entry list for this year s Dingle Race on June 9th
Credit: W M Nixon
The welcome announcement that the National Yacht Club s biennial 280-mile Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race 2021 will be going ahead on Wednesday, June 9th, is encouraging. But it should not be seen as a clarion call to get the 2021 sailing season into full boisterous swing with all the traditionally noisy bells and whistles, and lively post-racing shoreside celebrations.
A Quantum roller headsail and mainsail built from Contender CDX laminated cloth
Mark Mansfield, Quantum Sails agent Ireland reports that with Covid-19 numbers reducing, there is additional confidence that some of the early and mid-summer regattas may go ahead.
Events like Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race, commencing the 9th of June and the Sovereigns Cup on the 23rd of June could still make the Covid-19 cut.
However, this is also the busiest time for sail manufacturing so spinnaker orders could still make Dun Laoghaire to Dingle race (just), whereas main and headsail orders will likely be delivered later and can still make July s Dun Laoghaire Regatta.
Sailing in Ireland Looks to April 20th for Some Real Clarity
3rd April 2021
Spreading goodwill and mutual understanding…..the Howth YC Biennial Sporting & Cultural Mission to the Sovereign s Cup series in Kinsale, gathered at their shore base to celebrate another successful regatta. This year s O Leary Insurance Group Sovereign s Cup is scheduled at Kinsale YC for 23rd-26th June 2021. Photo courtesy HYC Historical & Philosophical Studies Group
How quickly can we hope to return to the carefree style of sailing sociability which reflects the mood displayed above, as seen in the officially-accredited Sporting & Cultural Mission from Howth Yacht Club on its traditional biennial visit to the Sovereign s Cup in Kinsale?
ICRA Conference Hears of Plans & Challenges for 2021 Sailing Regatta Organisers
7th March 2021
Regatta organisers are poised for the Government s April 5th announcement including July s Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta (above)
Credit: Afloat
Key Irish sailing regattas depend on a Government Level Two status being in place this summer in order to proceed, the Irish Cruiser Racer (ICRA) conference heard yesterday.
Over 100 sailors and regatta representatives gathered online to hear the latest regatta news from the East, South and Southwest coasts.
It was a heartening gathering that revealed how much clubs had achieved despite all the obstacles thrown up by COVID-19.
ICRA s Dave Cullen struck an optimistic note when he noted this weekend s reduction in pandemic numbers and advances in the vaccine roll-out, while each of the regatta organisers who joined the conference via Zoom were bullish about plans yet also spoke of the current challenging situation.
National Yacht Club Seeks Expressions of Interest for U25 J80 Squad
7th March 2021
File image of the National Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire Harbour
Credit: Afloat.ie
The National Yacht Club is seeking expressions of interest from all members aged 16 to 25, regardless of class or experience, in the prospect of forming an U25 J80 squad.
The rough plan is for a five-person team (with one or two subs) who will campaign a J80 this summer, pandemic restrictions allowing, with weekly training and racing at the J80 Nationals, ICRAs and Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta.
For more details on the team, the selection process and the submission form, see the NYC website HERE.