400 plus for inaugural Irish regatta

Boats going crazy for Dun Laoghaire Regatta Championship which starts next week

Up to 400 boats and 2,500 competitors are expected to compete in the inaugural Dun Laoghaire Regatta Championships next week (7th to 10th July). Entries have been received from all over Ireland and the UK making this the biggest sailing event in Ireland in 2005.

A quality fleet includes overall winners of the Scottish Series, Tiamat and UK IRC Champions, Flying Glove (both from Dun Laoghaire) as well as last week's winners of the Sovereigns Cup, Antix, leading a 15 strong contingent of boats from the South Coast of Ireland. Boats from the North of Ireland and the UK will also be competing.

The Championship racing areas are throughout Dublin Bay where space allows for four course areas, all within easy reach of the four host clubs and the marina.

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism John O'Donoghue T.D. said "This is the first year of this major regatta for the Dublin area and hopefully it will grow to become a great new biennial date on our sporting and tourism calendar. As well as being a sporting highlight, this is also a holiday for the sailors' families and friends. Many of the participants and supporters will, I am confident, be enticed to visit other parts of Ireland, whether cruising around our coastline, enjoying our scenic lakes and rivers or just taking in the natural beauty of Ireland."

As the countdown to the event gets underway, Vice Chairman of the organising committee, Philip Smith, commented: "We are delighted with the fantastic response from the sailors. Already over 300 boats have entered and we expect another 70 entries early next week" he added "some 240 Volunteers are now in place to ensure a top class international regatta in its first year."

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