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Speedsailors Heading for Waterford

28th October 2009

The world’s highest ranking international speed sailors will converge on the harbour town of Dungarvan, Co Waterford this week for the final stage of the 2009 Speed Sailing Championships. Activities will commence on Sunday evening (November 1st) at The Seanachai Bar where the international speed sailors will be given a warm Irish welcome and competitors will get down to the serious competition programme on Monday morning at 9.30am.

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Above: Champion Speed Sailor Anders Bringdal. On Wednesday November 4 at 7.30pm at The Dungarvan Harbour Sailing Club, Anders – who was a team member of the World Sailing Speed Record over 500 meters – 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 500m earning the title of the fastest sailing craft on the planet. With a top speed of 55.5 knots (103 km/h) l’Hydroptère takes her place in the history of sailing.

The Championships will run for a full six days with competitions on each day commencing at 9.30am. The final day of the weeklong competition on Saturday November 7  where the action will be nail biting will see the European Champion of 2009 announced.
 
The event organisers and competitors are welcoming the public to come along and cheer on the Irish and global competitors. There will be designated viewing spots on the ‘Cunnigar’ in Dungarvan but according to event organiser Martin Waldron, the best viewing spot for the public will be at St Augustine’s Church in Abbeyside on the East side of the harbour.

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 7 are not to be missed. Then there's Anders Bringdal's talk on Wednesday (see picture caption). This event will be followed by drinks in the Moorings bar for anyone wishing to join the competitors for a chat or questions about the sport.

There is also a chance for members of the public interested in Windsurfing, Kitesurfing and Thunder Cat Racing to sail with the best in Europe; free lessons will be on offer through various kitesurfing schools for the week of the championships. Windsurf Schools Surf Dock and Wind and Wave will be on hand to help beginners get to grips with Windsurfing. A combination of water sports will be available from Dunmore East Adventure Centre and Ardmore Adventures, and Thunder Cat Racing Ireland will be offering trips on their Power Boats. Public lessons will take place daily from 10am to 4pm from Monday November 2 to Saturday November 7 – lessons can be booked at the Public Marquee which will located at St. Augustine's Church Car Park (the lookout) at Abbeyside, Dungarvan. All lessons are weather dependant.
 
Commenting on the upcoming completion event organiser Martin Waldron said, “This really is something special for Waterford – it's a fantastic opportunity to showcase our brilliant coastline as it's perfect for this type of competition. I hope everyone comes out to join in the fun and view the action. Speed Sailing is a very entertaining sport and the free lessons in Kitesurfing, Windsurfing and Thunder Cat powerboat trips are a brilliant introduction to the sports.”
 
The world-class event is the last major event of the 2009 season for Speedsailing. Over 60 of the biggest names in the sport will compete for points counting towards the 2009 Speed World Cup Title.

 

The European Speedsailing Championships are kindly supported by Fáilte Ireland, Waterford Leader Partnership, Waterford County Council, Irish Windsurfing Association, Red Bull and powered by LOCOSYS. The event is being hosted and organised by Waldron Event Management, ISWC, Pure Magic Kitesurfing, Irish Speedsailing Series and the Irish Slalom Series. For further information log onto www.speedworldcup.com  

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