Irish talent

Anglo Irish Bank helmsmans championship coming up

The 2005 Anglo Irish Bank Helmsmans Championship take place in Howth Yacht Club on 10-11 September. The cream of Irish sailing talent, both Senior and Junior will descend on the club to race for the coveted annual title of top Irish Sailor.

Nominations have been coming in from all classes as they put their best sailors forward to represent them at the event. These Class National Champions will then pit their skills against some of the Irish Olympic Squad and National Youth Squads over two days of racing. All provinces will be represented in what is a truly National event.

The event, which has been running since 1947, is actually three events in one. The Juniors, all under 18, will race Fireflys, kindly donated for the event by the Royal St George Yacht Club and UCD. The Ladies will race on Sunday only in the same type of boat and are all considered the top under 18 female sailors in their chosen class. The Seniors will race in Etchells, kindly donated for the event by the Etchell fleet in Howth. Both the Juniors and the Seniors will have qualifying races on Saturday 10 September and then Finals on Sunday.

As some classes still have events this coming weekend which go towards deciding their nomination, the final line up will only be published next Tuesday 6 September at 4pm. Already guaranteed places however are some of the Olympic Squad members, namely Gerard Owens of the 470 class, Ciara Peelo of the Laser Radial and Maurice 'Prof' O'Connell of the Star class. Prof's participation is particularly noteworthy as he only finishes a European Championships in Lake Garda, Italy the previous day and will rush to make a late night flight back to Dublin. Conor Byrne, who represented Ireland at the Youth World Championships in Korea this year will also be making the same trip home to compete in the Junior event. Full line up and sailor profiles will be published closer to the event.

On the social side, dinner for all competitors, family and supporters will take place on Saturday night with some surprises and excellent entertainment in store. Full Details will be also be published closer to the event. The weekend is seen as a true 'Celebration of Sailing' with Juniors meeting some of their Olympic Squad heroes, and all sailors getting a chance to socialise and race against what will be an impressive gathering of sailing talent.