In a working paper sent to clubs and classes this month the association is attempting reformat the traditional season and persuade classes to combine events and move other regattas to the Autumn but there has been reaction from some class officers who are already calling the move ‘downright intrusive’.
The national authority wants to call its own fixtures ‘primary events’ such as the Helmsman’s championships and Team Racing National Championships starting in 2007.
Other events would be given a 'grade' from one to four depending on criteria such as race and event management standards at the venue.
At present there are fixtures meetings in the South and East, held in late Autumn, where representatives of all clubs and classes are invited to discuss the calendar for the following year.
In an open letter to classes the association's racing manager David Quinn says "Date clashes and the complicated nature of our events calendar are hindering our ability to promote the sport to a wider audience, and causing difficulty for organisers and sailors alike."
Now, if the plan – similar to the one employed by the world sailing body, ISAF and other sports – goes ahead, the Sports Council and Failte Ireland will become involved.
Events looking for significant funding from either body, or the ISA would have to declare their grade and fulfil criteria to receive funding.
No decisions have been made so far on the proposal and the ISA are urging input from all clubs and classes as to the best way forward before August 31st.
The proposal is sure to ruffle feathers on the thorny subject of squeezing so many events into summer months, given the proposed stipulations over timing that states “No Grade 1 events may to be held within 14 days of another. Dates to be agreed with ISA 12 months in advance.”
Air corps pilot Mick Liddy (28) is considering this Sunday’s (Aug 6) weather pattern as an outside option for an attempt at the Round Ireland single handed sailing speed record but he adds that he is in no particular rush, mindful of course, that there have been two unsuccessful attempts at the 7 day record already this summer, one stormbound, the other becalmed.
Liddy, a member of the National YC, has left few stones unturned in the preparation of his Beneteau 40.7 for the record attempt and includes a standby generator to power onboard electrics in case the engine fails.
The cost of bringing the boat to the west pier line in Dun Laoghaire is already running at 25,000 Euro so far but all is on hold until the right weather window appears from the weather routers.
Limerick sailor Ger O’Rourke flies out to Hamilton race week, Australia with an eight man crew for a maiden sail in his new Cookson 50-footer ‘Chieftain’ later this month.
Admittedly disappointed that the new Commodore’s Cup rules set by the Royal Ocean Racing Club will ban shifting ballast, O’Rourke may need to fix his swinging keel to avail of an IRC credit and have any chance of inclusion in
an Irish Commodore’s Cup line up next year.
For the rest of 2005, however O’Rourke will keep the boat in Sydney and intends racing in the Sydney-Hobart at Christmas with a full Irish crew.
In West Cork, Class one national champion Anthony O’Leary in ‘Antix’ is not getting things all his own way at Calves Week where Eamo Rohan’s ‘Mustang Sally’ came out on top in IRC handicap in the SCORA (South Coast of Ireland
Racing Association) race from Crosshaven to Schull.
On the Solent, sea breezes of 22 knots are giving Irish boats an edge at Cowes Week where Galway Bay’s Eamon Connelly lifted the Brittania trophy on Wednesday. His yacht Patches has also taken the Queens Cup, and Royal Yacht Squadron cup and all eyes are on The Fastnet.
Colm Barrington leads IRC class 2 in his Ker 39 from Dun Laoghaire. Fellow Dun Laoghaire skipper Tim Costello on ‘Tiamat’ leads IRC class one in the regatta week that ends today.
