I hear there's a push on entries for the George event. A sponsor is in place (Liebherr) and that there are some innovative feeder races from Cork to include Commodore's Cup boats and a new two handed division. What is the expecte fleet size at the George, any one know?

Received from Denis Kiely this pm:

Irish Cruiser Racing Association
Corinthian Cup
21 ñ 23 May 2010

The Notice of Race for the Irish Cruiser Racing Association National Cruiser Championships is changed as follows in accordance with article 1.3 to accommodate the Irish Cruiser Racing Association Corinthian Cup for non-spinnaker classes.
5 CREW LIMITATIONS
Crew numbers in non-spinnaker classes shall be a minimum of 2 with no maximum.
6 FLEET & DIVISIONS
6.2. c) The non-spinnaker fleet may be divided into divisions depending on the range and number of entries. A number of factors will be taken into account with the object of providing fair sailing and in particular of separating the more race oriented boats from the more cruiser type boats. The factors which will be used for this purpose will include:
(i) ECHO Standard or IRC Non-Spinnaker TCC
(ii) Displacement Length Ratio [DLR]
(iii) Hull Factor [HF]
(iv) Hull length

7 SCHEDULE
7.5 The Warning Signal for the first non-spinnaker race each day will be 11.00
7.6 Races for non-spinnaker boats will be scheduled to achieve a program of FIVE races
8 SCORING & DISCARDS
8.4 If non-spinnaker boats complete 4 races one discard will apply.
10 HANDICAPS
10.1 Non-endorsed IRC certificates are permitted for competitors in the non-spinnaker fleet.
11 PRIZES
The ICRA Corinthian Cup will be awarded to the overall winner of the non-spinnaker divisions.

www.afloat.ie/news/icra-announce-sponsor-for-nationals/

The Irish Cruiser Racing Association (ICRA), together with host club Royal St. George Yacht Club, announced their new sponsor for the 2010 National Championships that will take place at Dun Laoghaire from May 21st to 23rd, 2010 writes Claire Bateman. Liebherr Fridges and Freezers have announced their decision to come on board as Title Sponsor to the event.

It is very positive news that a premium brand leader company in its field will support this high calibre sailing championships thus ensuring the 2010 ICRA Nationals will be a very special event both on and off the water. The organising committee under Brian Craig and Ciara Dowling are finalising an exciting and varied racing programme over the three days with an excellent social programme of shore side activities. Entries for the Nationals can now be made on line at www.rsgyc.ie/icra2010.


The Liebherr National Cruiser Championships promises to be a highlight in the sailing calendar in mid May in what is also a Round Ireland and Cork Week year. All Irish Commodores Cup boats will attend the event and already there are indications of eight boats across all classes travelling from the West Coast.


In conjunction with the National Championships, ICRA, under Comnodore Barry Rose of Royal Cork Yacht Club, have taken the progressive step of creating an ICRA Corinthian Cup event for non-spinnaker classes to be sailed within the National Championships. This will be run on separate courses over the same weekend and Classes will be decided on entries received. Strong interest is expected as this sector has campaigned for such a competition for a long time.


An ICRA feeder race from Crosshaven to Dun Laoghaire on May 14th, 2010 is already attracting a lot of interest as it will provide boats and crews with an opportunity to participate in a recognised qualifier for the Round Ireland Race. The feeder race will also be used as a practice offshore event for the Irish competitors in the Commodores Cup. Latest news is that Two Handers have been accepted as a class in this race which will add further to the spectacle.


Entry fee is Ä175. To encourage early entries a discounted entry fee of Ä125 applies until 31st March 2010. Entry closes 8th May 2010.


The event will also supported by the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire and Dubarry of Ireland Clothing and Footwear.

Oh My God! Anyone seen this? Some kind of sick Dublin Bay joke?

An update as of this morning. The only other comment I can make is that easterly is not a great direction for the creation of a sea breeze on Dublin bay either.

Anyone got any observations on this?

Outlook for a further 24 hours until 0600 Friday 21 May 2010: Light to moderate, mainly southerly winds becoming light, variable later; patchy drizzle or fog in the Irish Sea and for a time on southern and western coasts, otherwise becoming mainly fair.


www.met.ie/forecasts/sea-area.asp

Well its like this -
1. Who in there right mind would believe Met Eireann? they always over forecast wind strenght! anyone agree here?
2. Its Dublin bay, you just cant possibly get an acurate forecast...

I reckon, hope for sunshine to get a sea breeze around noon -