After a three-year pandemic-induced absence, the Shanahan Cup Secondary Schools' Team Racing event is set to take place next Wednesday, the 8th of February.
Jointly hosted by Gonzaga College and the Irish National Sailing & Powerboat School racing is organised for second-level schools in Dun Laoghaire Harbour.
The event will be sailed in RS Fevas and is supported by Irish RS Sailing supplier MarineServices.ie.
The event is a collaboration between a number of parties; Fiachra Etchingham of Gonzaga College has spearheaded the initiative, with umpire support from the Irish Schools Team Racing Association. The Irish National Sailing & Powerboat School Team provides on-water delivery. Ten teams are entered in Wednesday's event, initially due to run in October but pushed back with poor forecasts.
Speaking about the event, Glyn Williams of the Irish National Sailing & Powerboat School emphasises the social aspect. “It’s really important for us to see participants out enjoying the activity and socialising while doing so. To help, we’ll be setting up a base for teams while they wait to compete in the western harbour using the schools' yachts and pontoon – where they can meet and socialise with sailors from other schools”.
The event is billed as an informal team racing event, where getting out and enjoying the activity is the main objective; however, the winning team will be presented with the Shanahan Cup, which currently is in the hands of Gonzaga College sailors, having won the inaugural event in 2019!
Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions are available below and the Irish National Sailing & Powerboat School has extended the registration deadline until next Tuesday to give a couple of schools a bit more time to finalise teams.