Different Look to Irish Optimist Calendar in 2021

5th February 2021

Baltimore spring training is cancelled for this year, but the IODAI is looking at an alternative event Credit: IODAI/Facebook

The Irish Optimist calendar will look a little different for 2021 due to continued disruption amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The first casualty of the present restrictions is the spring training week in Baltimore. However, the International Optimist Dinghy Associaton of Ireland (IODAI) says its committee is looking at hosting an alternative ‘Spirit of Baltimore’ event.

As for the season proper, it’s scheduled to begin on the long weekend of 1-3 May with trails at the Royal St George Yacht Club, followed by the Munster Championships at Kinsale Yacht Club on 15-16 May.

June sees the Leinster Championships at Howth Yacht Club on the 12th and 13th of the month, while the Connacht Championships will be contested at Lough Ree Yacht Club on 17-18 July.

The Irish Nationals will be hosted at Lough Derg Yacht Club on 19-22 August, and the season provisionally closes out with the Ulster Championships at East Antrim Boat Club on 11-12 September.

Due to the impact of COVID-19 restrictions, the IODAI says a number of alternative dates are being looked at in the event that trials are unable to run in May.

Published in Optimist, Coronavirus and Boating

Published in Optimist

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IODAI

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MacDara Conroy

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MacDara Conroy is a contributor covering all things on the water, from boating and wildlife to science and business

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