Organised in just six months, the fleet size has tipped 400 boats for the combined regatta – the biggest in Ireland this year – that was launched yesterday lunch time (Friday) in Dun Laoghaire by the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism John O’Donoghue T.D.
"The calibre of our entry is above our expectations given we had a short time frame to prepare for it. We're delighted with the way all four clubs have come together and we are already putting down markers for 2007" organiser Brian Craig told the Irish Times yesterday.
A quality fleet includes overall winners of the Scottish Series, Tiamat, Tim Costello's and UK IRC Champions, Colm Barrington's Flying Glove (both from Dun Laoghaire) as well as Royal Cork winners of the Sovereigns Cup, "Antix", leading a 15 strong contingent of boats from the South Coast.
Although fleet size is not the regatta's stated priority, it's hard to ignore that the 400 boat figure achieved, an impressive sight under spinnaker on Dublin bay yesterday afternoon, is typically nearly double that of any individual club regatta held last summer.
And given the fact the bulk of this year's fleet is made up in most part by Dublin Bay Sailing club's (DBSC) own local 340 boat membership, apart from some high profile visitors, the potential for Irish sea growth remains to be tapped.
23 classes, averaging a fleet size of 18 boats per class – and some with figures double that number – will sail up to 10 races over six different courses spread across Dublin bay.
In one one of those classes, the Dublin bay Mermaid the fibreglass prototype of the wooden clinker design, promoted by Roger Bannon, that has ruffled feathers among traditionalists, continues its technical evaluation.
She sails in a 20 boat fleet this morning (Friday) thanks to the spirit of co-operation afforded by the local Dublin bay fleet.
Co-operation, however, only goes so far, and Dolly, as the boat is known, can score points in the series, but even if she wins, the prototype is ineligible for any trophies.
Elsewhere, on the west coast, Martin Breen's new Corby 33 makes its debut as a part of a four Galway boat contingent travelling to the West of Ireland Offshore racing championships (WIORA) at Kilrush next week where 40 boats are expected.
The expected WIORA fleet is double that which Galway Bay Sailing Club mustered for it's biennial Galway bay week held at the end of June which incorporated the Northwest of Ireland Offshore Racing Association (NORA) Championship.
Tomas Furey dominating proceedings in Rhocador with five races wins and two second places to produce a comfortable 11-point margin on IRC handicap.
In hindsight, the fact that the Marine institute sponsored fixture was sandwiched between the Sovereigns cup in Kinsale and WIORA was a never a good idea as it spread a small band of competitors too thinly. This led to the drop in attendance from the inaugural Galway event that, in 2003, had also included the WIORA fleet the NORA and the J24 Western Championships.
