Irish cruiser racing association launched

During Sovereign's Cup Regatta in Kinsale

The Irish Cruiser Racing Association (ICRA) was formally launched tonight at the Sovereign’s Cup Regatta at Kinsale Yacht Club.

The Association has been established to provide an umbrella association to promote and organise all monohull cruiser racing at national level. Its objectives include promoting an annual series of National Championships for the various divisions that make up the National cruiser fleet; and selecting representative teams from the national cruiser fleet to represent Ireland in international events such as the Commodore’s Cup.

At the inaugural meeting of ICRA, held in Waterford on May 27, Fintain Cairns (former Commodore DBSC) was elected Commodore and Jim Donegan (RCYC) was elected Vice-Commodore. Brian Cusack (DBSC), Pat Pyne (KYC), Robert Keating (CSC), Barry Rose (RCYC), Francis Ennis (HYC) and Dennis Kiely (KYC) joined them in forming the first Executive Committee.

Speaking at the announcement of ICRA, Commodore Fintain Cairns stressed that this would be an umbrella body and it would not interfere with the running of individual events.

Harry Gallagher, Director of Racing with Irish Sailing Association (ISA), welcomed the move, saying that it was in line with their strategic plans. He announced that the Board of the ISA approved ICRA’s request for affiliation at their meeting last Monday.

ICRA will be in contact with all cruiser racers in the coming weeks to arrange for the first Annual General Meeting to be held in November 2003.