Olympic Campaigners Set for Laser Leinster Championships at Howth Yacht Club

10th July 2018

The Laser Leinster Championships will sail from Howth on July 21

In a month, where Irish Laser sailors are celebrating a U21 World bronze medal, the Class returns to Howth Yacht Club for an open event after a long absence. HYC will host this two-day event which kicks off on Saturday 21st July.

For the almost 40 sailors competing in HYC's own Frostbite Series, it will be a welcome change to enjoy some Howth racing in warm conditions! Race management will be of the usual high standard with PRO David Lovegrove and team in charge. The race area is second to none, with a short sail to the race track between Ireland's Eye and Lambay Island which typically offers perfect downwind wave conditions for the Laser and fair winds across the course.

Howth boasts several very talented contenders, some of whom should feature on the leaderboards

Although the competition will be of the highest calibre, Howth boasts several very talented contenders, some of whom should feature on the leaderboards so watch out for Crawford, Hopkins, McEvoy, McMahon, and Wallace. Of note is Ewan McMahon in the Standard Rig and Aoife Hopkins in the Radial rig. Both are aspiring Olympic candidates and this event is a great warm-up before the World Championships in Aarhus, Demark in August.

As this is one of the last championship events for the Masters sailors before the World Championships in Dun Laoghaire, competition for the coveted ‘first master’ will be fierce. As some places are still available for the World Championships, and the entry deadline for the event is August 1st, this event may also be a final chance for Irish Laser Masters to qualify for the big event in early September. Given the number of Masters sailors in Howth, this could be a prime opportunity to get a late place. There may not be another Laser Masters Worlds in Ireland for 20 years!

Shortly after racing there will be a BBQ to help refuel competitors and give everyone time to catch up and recall the events of the day.

The event has several sponsors which will ensure some great prizes and après sailing. So a much-appreciated thank you goes to BKS - Brendan O’Brien, CH Marine, CraftInsure, Investwise – Dave Quinn and MDM – Jim and Tom McMahon for supporting this event.

Early entry cost is €50 and is available until midnight on 13th July. Full entry cost of €75 will then apply until 2100 hours on 18th July and the online entry will close.

Registration will be available at the event on Friday night and Saturday morning. Online entry and all relevant documents can be found here

Published in Laser

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Published in Laser

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About the ILCA/Laser Dinghy

The ILCA, formerly known as the Laser, is the most produced boat in the world, with 220,000 units built since 1971.

It's easy to see why the single-handed dinghy has won the title of the most widely distributed boat of all time.

The Laser is a one-design dinghy, the hulls being identical but three rigs that can be used according to the size and weight of the sailor.

The class is international, with sailors from 120 countries. The boat has also been an Olympic class since 1996, being both the men's and women's singlehanded dinghy.

Three rigs are recognised by the International Laser Class Association (ILCA):