The 2011 event is expected to draw entries from the UK, Australia, North America and Canada, France, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, South Africa, Slovenia and of course the host fleet, Ireland.
Irish names that could be associated with a home win include Noel Butler, Kenny Rumball, Simon McGrotty and Francis Rowan. They have all enjoyed domestic success and have the mental strength and ability to get to and stay at the head of the domestic fleet. After that, it's a question of starting to put the other elements of a campaign in place now, well in advance of the competition, to beat the best of the British Fireballers for whom this will also be an easily accessible regatta. An Irish win is a possibility but the gap between us and the British boats is going to have to be closed.
