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Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta 2015
Invitation!
Being an odd-numbered year it means that come July there will be a four-day regatta taking place in Dun Laoghaire, Ireland – the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta 2015. The first edition of the event took place in 2005 and every second year since the Irish Fireball Class has had its own start on a dedicated dinghy course to the west of the harbour. It has proved to be a boon to the dinghies because in years when the bigger boats further out in Dublin Bay don’t get their series completed, the dinghies generally do.
A programme of ten races is generally scheduled for the dinghy classes, with racing starting on the Thursday afternoon, running through Friday and Saturday and closing on the Sunday before lunchtime to facilitate a Sunday afternoon prize-giving and an early start to the return trip for visitors.
This year’s regatta will be sailed from Thursday 9th July to Sunday 12th July and the Irish Fireball Class wishes to bring the event to the attention of our UK contemporaries to persuade you to spend four days in Ireland in early July to race Fireballs. While you may argue that two weeks in Pwllheli is enough Irish Sea racing, there is a five week gap between the two events to allow one to recover from the July event and be ready for the Worlds in Pwllheli.
In a year when the World Championships are being hosted in Pwllheli in August, you might ask what the incentive would be to come over to Ireland;
- Ten races over four days.
- Access to and hospitality of four Dun Laoghaire Waterfront Clubs.
- Easy access to open racing water
- Venue is 20-30 minutes-drive from Dublin Port (Ferry to Dun Laoghaire no longer operates) using a variety of ferry operators traversing the Irish Sea.
- Exchange rate – Euro is weak relative to the Pound at present (Down to 70-odd pence at time of writing)!
- Subject to numbers, Irish Fireballers would be prepared to look at accommodating visitors at their own homes.
The event website is www.dlregatta.org and the Irish Fireball Class would be delighted to host any of our UK friends at what is a very well run event.
