The Fireball World Championships are under threat due to the ongoing aviation crisis caused by ash from the Icelandic volcano. 70 entries (six of them Irish) are due to arrive in Barbados for the event, due to start this weekend.
Most flights from Barbados are routed through London, and tourists are currently stranded on the island with all flights in Europe grounded.
The international week, a warm-up event, is meant to start on Monday. However, European 'ballers will have to rig their boats from scratch and take them out of the containers in which they travelled.
A notice on the event website states:
"Fireball International’s contingency plans have been put into place. The racing will take place. Some adjustments to the schedule published in the Notice of Race may be necessary.
Fireball International is in close contact with the Barbados Government who are using their influence with Virgin Atlantic to ensure those associated with the event will arrive in Barbados on their booked flight or as soon as possible after. "
