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Two Sailing Championships to be Decided in End of Season Climax

5th October 2018
An 11-boat J109 fleet is due in Howth this weekend An 11-boat J109 fleet is due in Howth this weekend Credit: Afloat.ie

Irish Times Sailing Correspondent David O'Brien reports in today's newspaper how some of the top crews in the country are in demand this weekend for the All Ireland Sailing Championships on Lough Ree and the J109 Nationals in Howth.

Yesterday, Irish Sailing published the final line up for the All Irelands to be sailed in SB20s that does indeed name some of the top sailors in the country for the 'Champion of Champions' event, as the competition was formerly known. 

In Howth, the J109s are lining up for the six-race championships and the forecast is for big breeze. As reported in the Irish Times, although the event has a bar on Category Three Sailing Professionals, there will be no shortage of talented 'amateur' on Howth Sound to try and beat local boat Storm that is aiming for a hat-trick.

Much more in the Irish Times here.

Published in ISA
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Irish Sailing

The Irish Sailing Association, also known as Irish Sailing, is the national governing body for sailing, powerboating and windsurfing in Ireland.

Founded in 1945 as the Irish Dinghy Racing Association, it became the Irish Yachting Association in 1964 and the Irish Sailing Association in 1992.

Irish Sailing is a Member National Authority (MNA) of World Sailing and a member of the Olympic Federation of Ireland.

The Association is governed by a volunteer board, elected by the member clubs. Policy Groups provide the link with members and stakeholders while advising the Board on specialist areas. There is a professional administration and performance staff, based at the headquarters in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.

Core functions include the regulation of sailing education, administering racing and selection of Irish sailors for international competition. It is the body recognised by the Olympic Federation of Ireland for nominating Irish qualified sailors to be considered for selection to represent Ireland at the Olympic Games. Irish sailors have medalled twice at the Olympics – David Wilkins and Jamie Wikinson at the 1980 games, and Annalise Murphy at the 2016 games.

The Association, through its network of clubs and centres, offers curriculum-based training in the various sailing, windsurfing and powerboating disciplines. Irish Sailing qualifications are recognised by Irish and European Authorities. Most prominent of these are the Yachtmaster and the International Certificate of Competency.

It runs the annual All-Ireland Championships (formerly the Helmsman’s Championship) for senior and junior sailors.

The Association has been led by leading lights in the sailing and business communities. These include Douglas Heard, Clayton Love Junior, John Burke and Robert Dix.

Close to 100 sailors have represented Ireland at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Membership of Irish Sailing is either by direct application or through membership of an affiliated organisation. The annual membership fee ranges from €75 for families, down to €20 for Seniors and Juniors.