Championship Speed Sailing will take place each day of the weeklong event and according to Martin it is a highly entertaining spectator sport, “In order to hold the best possible Championships we decided to postpone the event to the first week of November due to adverse weather conditions forecast. Speed Sailing is really an amazing sport to watch we are inviting the people of the South East to come along and witness some of the massive speeds achievable by some of the world’s fastest men and women in the sport.”
Aside from the sporting activities a number of celebration events are also open to the public. The social side of the championships will see a live DJ perform each day and the championship opening party at The Seannachai Bar on November 1 and closing party at The Quays on Saturday November 6 are not to be missed.
Left: The Irish 2008 and 2009 Windsurfing Slalom Champion Pearse Geaney from Cork will be competing at the upcoming European Speed Sailing Championships. Photo: David Clinch
Some of the World’s top Speed Sailors will be in attendance at the event and the opportunity to sail with the best will be on offer through Kite Schools Puremagic, Kiteskool and LSD Boarding. Wind Surf Schools Surf Dock, Wind and Wave and BigSurf will be on hand to help beginners get to grips with the sport. A combination of Water sports will be available from Dunmore East Adventure Centre. A number of the world’s top equipment producers will also be at the event demonstrating their latest equipment.
On Wednesday evening November 3 at The Moorings, Dungarvan, team member of the World Sailing Speed Record over 500 meters Anders Bringdal will be hosting a talk on the 2009 l’Hydroptère record victory, where he and the crew averaged a speed of 51.36 knots over one nautical mile earning the title of the fastest sailing craft on the planet. With a top speed of 55.5 knots (103km/h) and an average speed of 51.36 knots, today l’Hydroptère takes her place in the history of sailing. This event will be followed by a 'Pure Magic’ Party.
The Championships are arranged on a rollover basis with a later week in November also allocated should suitable wind conditions not be available. A prize fund of €10,000 is up for grabs with a number of additional prizes on offer from the event supporters.
A host of international competitors are registered to attend. In the men’s fleet, 2008 World Speed Champion Cyril Moussilmani will be keenly watched, windsurfing legend Anders Bringdal who recently crewed on the sailing boat Hydroptere which broke the speedsailing world record, will also be a strong contender. Previous speedsailing world record holder and the current kite-surfing world record holder Alex Caizergues will also be in attendance.
The European Speedsailing Championships are kindly supported by Fáilte Ireland, Waterford County Council, Irish Windsurfing Association, Red Bull and LOCOSYS. The event is being hosted and organised by Waldron Event Management, ISWC, Pure Magic Kitesurfing, Irish Speedsailing Series, Irish Slalom Series and the Dungarvan Harbour Sailing Club.
Further information on the Championships can be found here
