#SAILING-Dublin Bay organisers have published detials of next year's 2012 ISAF Youth Sailing World Championships that will be staged on the captial's waters, one of Dublin's biggest sporting events in 2012.

The Notice of Race for the 2012 ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship, the 42nd version of the championship has been released.

Over 300 of the world's top youth sailors are expected to descend on Dublin Bay from 12-21 July 2012 and add their name to a list of winners that includes triple Olympic gold medallist Ben Ainslie (GBR), three-time America's Cup winner Russell Coutts (NZL) and four time Olympic gold medallist Alessandra Sensini (ITA).

After the 2011 ISAF Youth Worlds in Croatia, Brian Craig, Dublin Bay 2012 Chairman, said, "We're in good shape. There's been a lot of interest in it, both public and from the sailing community in Ireland. A group of about 50 have been working on this project for about four years now.

"This is the biggest yachting event ever to come to Ireland. We've had some big races but from the pure sports side this really is the biggest thing we've ever done.

"Ireland is really going to pull behind this event; there is no doubt about that."

A full interview with Brian Craig on the Dublin Bay 2012 build up is here.

The 2012 Youth Worlds will take place on Dublin Bay, based at Dun Laoghaire. Dun Laoghaire is a historic town on the outskirts of Dublin. The harbour, opening on to Dublin Bay is a large man made port dating back to the 19th century when it was built for a visit of Queen Victoria.

The horse-shoe shaped bay, open to the east and approximately six miles cross, allows for fair racing. The winds are predominantly driven by the North Atlantic weather systems passing over the country resulting in a prevailing south westerly breeze giving a range of sailing conditions. Dublin Bay is subject to tide and although the speed of the current is not excessive it is often of tactical importance. The size of the bay is capable of accommodating large fleets and multiple courses.

The Royal St George Yacht Club (RSGYC) will host the 2012 championship in association with its neighbouring clubs, the National Yacht Club (NYC) and the Royal Irish Yacht Club (RIYC).

Open to competitors aged under 19 in the year of the championship (i.e. for Ireland, under 19 on 31 December 2012) in the events and equipment listed below (all supplied), the Youth Worlds occupies a unique place in the sailing calendar. Simply getting to the championship is a major achievement for most as entry is limited to one boat per nation, per event, meaning sailors first having to win through their national qualification series.

2011 ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship Events

Event - Equipment

Boy's One Person Dinghy - Laser Radial

Girl's One Person Dinghy - Laser Radial

Boy's Two Person Dinghy - 420

Girl's Two Person Dinghy - 420

Boy's Windsurfer - RS:X with 8.5m2 sail

Girl's Windsurfer - RS:X with 8.5m2 sail

Open Multihull - Sirena SL16

Open Skiff - 29er

The notice of race published by the organisers is below:

42nd ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship 2012

12 - 21 July 2012, Dun Laoghaire, Ireland
Notice of Race
Approved by ISAF November 23, 2011
1. GENERAL
1.1 The Irish Sailing Association together with The Royal St George Yacht Club, National Yacht
Club and Royal Irish Yacht Club will host the 42nd ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship
and cordially invites all ISAF member national authorities to participate. The event will be held
from 12 to 21 July 2012.
1.2 The venue will be at the Royal St George Yacht Club and the National Yacht Club.
2. ORGANIZING AUTHORITY
The Championship will be organized by Dublin Bay Youth Worlds 2012 Limited a not-for-profit
company in conjunction with the Irish Sailing Association under the authority of the
International Sailing Federation (ISAF).
Address: Youth Worlds 2012
Royal St George Yacht Club,
Dun Laoghaire,
Co Dubllin
Telephone: +353 872 235 148
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.isafyouthworlds.com
www.dublinbay2012.com
3. RULES
3.1 The regatta will be governed by the rules as defined in The Racing Rules of Sailing.
3.2 No national prescriptions will apply.
3.3 Class rules regarding membership will not apply.
3.4 In accordance with the ISAF Advertising Code, advertising on the supplied equipment is only
available to the organising authority. Competitors shall wear bibs supplied by the organizing
committee.
4. EVENTS, CLASSES, EQUIPMENT AND EQUIPMENT CHECK
4.1 The events and classes are as follows:
EVENT CLASS
Boy’s One Person Dinghy Laser Radial
Girl’s One Person Dinghy Laser Radial
Boy’s Two Person Dinghy 420
Girl’s Two Person Dinghy 420
Boy’s Windsurfer RS:X with 8.5m2 sail & 60cm fin
Girl’s Windsurfer RS:X with 8.5m2 sail & 60cm fin
Open Skiff 29er
Open Multihull SL 16
4.2 A penalty may be given or the use of the equipment may be withdrawn if, in the opinion of the
organizing authority, a competitor treats or handles the equipment without care or in a manner
which causes or is likely to cause damage to the equipment.
4.3 All equipment will, except items listed in 4.4 and 4.5, be supplied free of charge including rig,
sail and gear for all classes (except items mentioned in 4.7, 4.8, 4.9 and 4.10).
4.4 The organizing authority will not supply compasses or other tactical devices, wind indicators,
buoyancy jackets, trapeze harnesses, hiking pants, wet or dry suits or other personal gear. No
modification to the equipment shall be made unless authorized by the organizing authority.
4.5 Competitors may bring and use the following items sponge, hand bailer, water bottles (only to
be attached to the equipment with rope or tape), shockcords, compass, wind indicators,
including yarn or thread (may be tied or taped anywhere on the equipment, provided their
fitting does not mark, pierce or damage the hull, deck, sails or spars).
4.6 Adhesive tape may be used anywhere above the waterline, but the tape needs to be
removable after the event without leaving any permanent damage. There shall be no writing
with permanent markers directly on the supplied equipment. No wax shall be applied. Hulls,
centreboards and rudders may be cleaned, but only with water and ordinary soap.
4.7 For Laser Radial only: Competitors must bring their own lines, sheet and blocks
(including ratchet block, outhaul, cunningham, traveller and vang systems) and
tiller/tiller extension. Competitors will be supplied with a fully fitted Laser hull including the
deck block fitting and the two single blocks and cleats for the deck led cunningham and
outhaul systems. The boats will be supplied with mini side deck cleats for the main sheet,
centreboard, rudder, mast, boom and sail.
4.8 For 420 only: Competitors must bring their own tow-rope (in accordance with
specification of the class rules). Competitors may bring and use a fitting made of
tape/wood/plastic and shockcord for retaining the spinnaker halyard. This fitting shall only be
attached using tape and not in a position above the gooseneck.
4.9 For RS:X only: Competitors must bring their own outhaul, downhaul systems (ropes,
cleats and pulleys) and the uphaul line. No permanent fixings will be used to attach these.
Harness lines will not be provided by the organisers.
4.10 For 29’er only: The boat's sails, spars, rigging, control lines and fittings shall be used as
supplied, unless alterations or additions are specifically authorized by the ISAF Technical
Delegate. The boats will be fitted with foot straps. Competitors may install their own tiller
extension, or twin extensions, but the attachment fitting must be left installed on the tiller at the
end of the regatta.
4.11 The equipment will not be required to be pre-measured. However, a boat or equipment may
be inspected at any time for compliance with the rules.
4.12 Boats may be required to carry cameras, sound devices or positioning devices as specified by
the organising authority.
4.13 Failure of supplied equipment will not be grounds for redress. This changes rule 62.1(a).
5. ENTRIES
5.1 A national authority in good standing with ISAF may enter one crew in all or any of the
disciplines listed in 4.1.
5.2 Such national authority may register an official team leader and one coach. If a national
authority enters competitors in at least one event per race area, one additional coach is
permitted.
In all other cases only one team leader and one coach is permitted.
RACE AREA EVENTS
A Boy’s and Girl’s One Person Dinghy
B Boy’s and Girl’s Two Person Dinghy, Open Multihull
C Boy’s & Girl’s Windsurfer, Open Skiff
5.3 Every competitor must be a national of the country which is entering him or her. The ISAF
Executive Committee will resolve all applications or disputes relating to the determination of
the national authority a competitor may represent. Each national authority is responsible to
ensure that its competitors comply with this requirement.
6. CONDITIONS OF ENTRY
6.1 EQUIPMENT RESERVATION
All national authorities who are intending to enter a team will complete an Equipment
Reservation on line at www.isafyouthworlds.com specifying the events and number of
coaches they want to enter and pay a non-refundable €100 Equipment Reservation Fee per
equipment by 31 January 2012.
Equipment reservations submitted after 31 January 2012 may not be guaranteed a place in
the regatta.
If at the equipment reservation deadline the numbers of competitors in an event should
exceed the maximum limit of equipment supplied, the Organizing Authority, in consultation
with ISAF, may then implement an alternative racing format allowing equipment to be shared
by two or more competitors/crews.
6.2 FINAL ENTRY
Entries will be made on-line at www.isafyouthworlds.com and must be received with the
championship fee described below (minus the Equipment Reservation Fee paid) by the
organising authority by 30 April 2012. Accommodation and equipment is guaranteed only to
teams who have fulfilled the requirements in 6.1 and have submitted an entry form and paid
the championship fee by 30 April 2012. Entries received after 30 April 2012 will only be
accepted at the discretion of ISAF and in consultation with the Organizing Authority and with
the payment of the Late Entry fee.
6.3 A national authority which has not yet chosen a team by 30 April 2012 deadline must provide
the Organizing Authority with information about its schedule for selecting a team and the
number of persons, genders if possible, and their events to be entered by this deadline. No
additions or changes to the list can be accepted after 30 April 2012 without written approval of
ISAF and in consultation with the Organizing Authority.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
6.4 Competitors and team officials will receive an identification card at registration at the venue
which must be displayed at all times. Access to competitor’s preparation and residential areas
will be restricted. Spectators at the sailing venue may also be required to display a
registration card which will give access to specific areas only.
6.5 Each team is required to bring to the venue two of their national flags in approximate size 1.0
x 1.5m
6.6 The Medical Treatment Permission Form available on www.isafyouthworlds.com must be
submitted for each competitor no later than team registration. This form does not give
dispensation for taking prescribed medication. For medication declarations, please follow
procedures as given in the ISAF Anti-Doping Code (ISAF regulation 21).
6.7 All competitors shall be under the age of 19 years on 31 December 2012 (born after 31
December 1993) and be registered as an ‘ISAF Sailor’ on the ISAF website, www.sailing.org
Each national authority is responsible to ensure that its competitors comply with this
requirement.
6.8 At all times when afloat competitors are required to wear a personal buoyancy jacket. The
organizing authority reserves the right to reject any buoyancy jacket which it considers
unsuitable. Personal buoyancy shall comply with appropriate national standards.
6.9 Each team is required to bring a 250ml bottle containing water from their home seas or lakes
for the Mixing of the Waters ceremony.
7. CHAMPIONSHIP FEE AND DAMAGE DEPOSITS
7.1 Each competitor, team leader and coach will be charged a championship fee of EUR 900 per
team member (EUR 1.200 for Late Entries) for the 10 scheduled days of the event (minus any
Equipment Reservation Fee paid), payable to the organizing authority as instructed on the
entry form.
The Late Entry fee will apply to all entries received after 30 April 2012.
7.2 The championship fee will include airport shuttle from and to Dublin Airport, accommodation
and meals, starting from the midday meal on 12 July and ending with the breakfast meal on
21 July 2012. For accommodation etc prior to 12 July or/and after 20 July, please contact
Moyra O’Donoghue at [email protected]
7.3 There will be no refund if entered competitors withdraw their entry after the entry
deadline.
7.4 A damage deposit of EUR 250 for Laser Radial and RS:X and EUR 350 for 420, 29er and
SL 16 (cash or credit card authorisation) per supplied equipment will be required for
registration at the venue. In case of damage to any equipment, the competitor may be
required to pay an additional amount in order to maintain the damage deposit balance at EUR
250 for Laser Radial and RS:X and at EUR 350 for 420, 29er and SL 16.
7.5 A damage deposit by way of credit card authorisation will be required by the hotel for possible
damage to the hotel premises or for services provided by the hotel such as (additional) food,
drink and the use of telephone(s), etc.
8. SCHEDULE
12 races are scheduled for each event. No more than 3 races will be sailed on any day.
Thursday 12 July Official Arrival Day Registration
Equipment Allocation & On Water Training
Team Leaders Meeting
Friday 13 July Training Day Equipment Allocation
Competitors Briefing
On Water Training
Practice Race
Opening Ceremony
Saturday 14 July Race Day 1 2 Races
Sunday 15 July Race Day 2 3 Races
Monday 16 July Race Day 3 2 Races
Tuesday 17 July Reserve Day
Wednesday 18 July Race Day 4 2 Races
Thursday 19 July Race Day 5 2 Races
Friday 20 July Race Day 6 1 Race
Equipment Return
Closing Ceremony
Saturday 21 July Departure Day Departure
Equipment Supply The supplied equipment will be available on 12 July 2012. The venue is
not available for practice sailing before 12 July 2012.
9. SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
The sailing instructions will be available for all competitors at registration at the venue and on
the event website approximately one month before the championship.
10. PENALTY SYSTEM
10.1 Appendix P, Immediate Penalties for Breaking Rule 42, will apply.
10.2 For the SL 16 and 29er events rules 44.1 and 44.2 are changed so that only one turn,
including one tack and one gybe, is required.
10.3 Decisions of the jury will be final as provided in rule 70.5.
11. SCORING
11.1 Five races are required to be completed to constitute a series.
11.2 (a) When fewer than five (5) races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total
of her race scores.
(b) When five (5) or more races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of
her race scores excluding her worst score.
11.3 For RS:X Rule B8.2, B8.3 and B8.8 shall not apply.
12. SUPPORT BOAT
(a) Private or team support boats are not permitted.
(b) Team Leaders and coaches may go afloat only in craft supplied by the organizing
authority, and clearly marked as such, from Friday July 13 to Friday July 20.
13. BERTHING
Boats shall be kept in their assigned places in the boat parks.
14. DRUG TESTING
Competitors are reminded of the ISAF rules and regulations concerning the use of banned
methods and substances, which are contained in ISAF Anti Doping Code. Drug testing may
take place during this event.
15. DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY
Competitors participate in the championship entirely at their own risk. See rule 4, Decision to
Race. The organizing authority will not accept any liability for material damage or personal
injury or death sustained in conjunction with or prior to, during, or after the championship.
16. PRIZES
Prizes will be given as follows:
16.1 ISAF medals in gold, silver and bronze will be awarded to first, second and third overall
finishers in each event.
16.2 The ISAF World Youth Sailing Championship Trophy will be awarded to the winning crew in
the Boy’s Two Person Dinghy event.
16.3 The RYA Trophy will be awarded to the winning crew in the Girl’s Two Person Dinghy event.
16.4 The ISAF St. Lawrence Trophy will be awarded to the winner in the Boy’s One Person Dinghy
event.
16.5 The ISAF Royal Netherlands Centennial Trophy will be awarded to the winner in the Girl’s
One Person Dinghy event.
16.6 The ISAF Paul Phelan Trophy will be awarded to the winner in the Boy’s Windsurfer event.
16.7 The ISAF St. Moritz Board Sailing Championship Trophy will be awarded to the winner in the
Girl’s Windsurfer event.
16.8 The ISAF Paul Henderson Trophy will be awarded to the winner in the Open Multihull event.
16.9 The ISAF Prince Henry the Navigator Trophy will be awarded to the winner in the Open Skiff
event.
16.10 There will be a Trophy awarded to the top-scoring national authority team.
16.11 The ISAF Bengt Julin Trophy will be awarded to a competitor or a National Team that has in
the competitors’ opinion done most to foster international understanding and has displayed
the attributes that should be encouraged in international competition.
16.12 Other trophies may be awarded for sportsmanship, exemplary behaviour and rules compliance
during the championship.
17. FURTHER INFORMATION
17.1 Entries will be acknowledged in writing.
17.2 General information about travel to Dun Laoghaire, Ireland and its facilities is available
through the website: www.dublinbay2012.com

The fundraiser event which is in aid of the Development Fund of the museum, is to take place this Thursday evening (8 p.m.) on 10th November, in the National Yacht Club (NYC) along the waterfront of Dun Laoghaire Harbour, close to the East Pier.

Tickets costing €20 are available from the Maritime Institute of Ireland's (M.I.I.) museum office located on the top floor of the Dun Laoghaire Shopping Centre, in local fashion shops and by contacting (01) 214 3964.

At the end of last month, the M.I.I. celebrated its 70th anniversary which was founded in 1941. To read more about the museum which is undergoing renovation and due to re-open in March 2012 click HERE and to read other news and developments visit www.mariner.ie

Just 8 hours after National Yacht Club Commodore Paul Barrington bade farewell to the 47 brave Solitaire sailors starting their gruelling 420 mile sail back to France, he was raising the curtain on the Sovereign Ski Topper World Championship – one of the world's big sailing event for the professional sailors of the future.
The Figaro stopover was a great success – capturing the imagination of the visitors, the town and the thousands of locals who visited the ships, shops, and fireworks attached to the event.
The tight changeover from Figaro to Toppers was a challenge to the National Yacht Club organizing committee – but there were some great benefits as event Chairman Margaret Kneafsey explained:
" Friday night there was a wonderful fireworks display and festivities put on by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council – but by 7am on Saturday morning the marquee was cleared and taken down so the Topper competitors could take up their places. It has been very inspiring for the young sailors (all under 18) to see the professionalism of the Figaro race and the exciting lives professional sailors can lead."
Margaret and her large team of volunteers have been delighted to have 180 entries including the five young sailors who have travelled from Korea and sampled Dublin Bay waters for the first time yesterday ( Sunday) .
"It has given them some flavour for the currents and tides in Dublin bay, before the start of the qualifying races for the championship finals which will start today ( Monday)" said Margaret.
Today's ( Monday) qualifying races will be a an amazing blaze of colour across Dublin Bay with all 180 boats lining up for 3 races. Following the same tomorrow the fleet will split in silver and gold fleets and continue the white heat of final competition for 3 days and 8 races until World Champion emerges on Friday afternoon.

The 447 tonnes OPV provides communication liaison and assistance should the forty six sailors require during the arduous race including SAR. As such the vessel can deploy a rapid response high speed RIB-craft from an internal dock-well located at the stern.

Otherwise the RIB is used to board fishing vessels as part of fishery monitoring duties and patrolling France's Exclusive Economic Zone out to 200 nautical miles (370 km). She is a Flamant class OPV and was built in 1997 by the Cherbourg based shipyard Constructions Mécaniques de Normandie. The 54m/177-ft craft is equipped with two 12.7mm machine guns.

As Dun Laoghaire is the only international port of call during the four-leg stages of the 1,695 nautical miles (3,390kms) the hosting of the Irish harbour is a welcomed boost to the sailing community and the local economy. Leading off the Carlisle Pier are pontoons where the one-design boats are moored and opposite is the East Pier jetty berth where the PSP Cormoran is docked.

Also at the East Pier is a festival market which is part of the Festival des Bateaux. The three-day festival ends tomorrow and was organised by the race-hosts the National Yacht Club, the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. For further festival details click HERE.

The presence of a foreign naval visitor to the harbour was more commonplace particularly during festivals held in the 1980's. In addition to the French, navies from Belgium, The Netherlands were regular festival participants.

To celebrate the stopover of the four-stage 1,695 nautical mile (3,390 km) race, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company and the National Yacht Club have joined forces to create the Festival des Bateaux (12-14 Aug).

A festival highlight will be a fireworks display which be held on Friday night at 10pm on the East Pier. In addition during the three-day festival programme includes live bands, street entertainment and a market on the Carlisle Pier. For more details and times of the free event go to www.dlrevents.ie

Visitors to the East Pier can take a closer view of the PSP Cormoran from the quayside where the 23 knot offshore patrol vessel (OPV) will be berthed. The Flamant class (OPV) entered service in 1997 after completion by Constructions Mécaniques de Normandie, Cherbourg, where the 477 tonnes vessel is based.

The 54m/177-ft vessel has two 12.7mm machine guns and is used for fishery monitoring, SAR and patrolling France's Exclusive Economic Zone out to 200 nautical miles / 370 km. In addition she is equipped with a high speed RIB-craft that can be deployed from an internal dock-well at the stern.

On Wednesday 10th the NYC will host the first ever stop in Dublin Bay of the legendary La Solitaire du Figaro Single handed yacht race. The club will be decked out in French Tricolours for the week and when the superyachts depart for France on Sunday 14th the club will rapidly clear the decks to host the opening race of the Sovereign Ski Topper World Championships

There are over 150 Toppers entered – each with its colourful red, white and blue sail.

Sovereign Ski Topper World Championships Chair Margaret Kneafsey says the club are prepared for the influx of young sailors (under 18). Victory at the event will be an important step for those with Olympics and ISAF World Championship aspirations.

"The Topper is a very popular boat and it has been heartening to get entries from far away. In particular there are four young sailors travelling all the way from Korea and we are delighted they are coming. We asked the Korean National sailing association if there was anything special they will need. "Just a big warm Irish hug" was the reply!"

The Figaro boats are having a major new piece of infrastructure installed in Dun Laoghaire Harbour for their visit.
Large new floating pontoons are now in place alongside the Carlisle Pier and in front of the National Yacht Club. These will be able to host the 49 boats and it will be an important test of Ireland's ability to host major large boat sailing events

The 42nd edition of La Solitaire du Figaro race got off to a good start on Sunday in Perros Guirec, despite the light five-knot westerly breeze and unusual downwind start.  Hundreds of fans lined the cliffs and crowded onto the many spectator boats to see the fleet of Figaro sailors set off on the first 320-mile leg of the four stage month long race. 

Treated to a colourful downwind spinnaker start at 11 am, which was fired by Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet, the French Minister for the Environment, the crowds watched on as the fleet headed off to the first mark blanketed by a curtain of mist and haze.

The fleet is headed for Dun Laoghaire and a special festival is planned around the fleets arrival on August 12th. The local council has installed a special marina to greet the fleet who will be based at the Carlise pier in front of the National Yacht Club.

In conjunction with Alliance Francaise the National Yacht Club will hold a reception on Friday 12th August to celebrate the stopover.

Nicolas Lunven (Generali), winner of the 2009 edition, reached the Radio France mark first, two miles into the race, followed by Thomas Rouxel (Bretagne-Credit Mutuel Performance) and Eric Drouglazet's shocking pink Luisina spinnaker rounding in third.  Sam Goodchild (Artemis), the first British entry and youngest competitor as well as first sailor rookie, rounding in seventh.  Notably Isabelle Joschke (Galettes Saint Michel), the Franco-German sailor competing on her fourth Solitaire with a new sponsor, fought her way out of the busy start line and rounded in sixth place.

Spinnakers were swiftly packed away and genoas raised to sail with care round, leaving to starboard the rocks at the the Seven Islands or Sept Iles plateau, before the 90 mile crossing of the English Channel to Hands Deep, the next waypoint, in Plymouth Sound.  It looks like the fleet will have a dark first night with little moonlight and a low gradient breeze as the damp and light front travels across the Channel from West to East and dies out on the approach to the southern English coastline.  Rounding the next point of passage at Hands Deep buoy off Plymouth could be further complicated by the turning tide at 07:00.

Follow the progress the skippers make with the position reports and rankings will from 16:00 local French time, updated 5 times a day and are available on www.lasolitaire.com.

Sam Goodchild (Artemis) before the start in Perros Guirec:
"The weather forecasts look slightly better this morning, so I think we could have a bit of breeze for the start.  I am going to focus on keeping up with the fleet, but that is not to say that I will not do my own thing.  I do not agnate to take major risks and finish in Caen six hours behind the leader having to play catch up for the rest of the race.  There are four Brits, so it would be nice to beat them and a few French too!  The main thing I need to try and manage is sleep well balance the timing and not sleep too much or too little.  For some good luck and energy I have my special Grenada Chocolate Company bar!"
Nigel King (E-Line Orthodontics):"This is the first Figaro race start without my wife, so it is a bit strange, but hopefully together with a bunch of friends she can come and see the boats sail past Fairway at the Needles.  Looking forward to starting and getting off now.  Not got any special snacks on board, just lots of green apples! "
Phil Sharp (Spirit of Independence) being seen off by his father, :"Ready now to get racing and taking my granny's special "go fast" fruit cake.  I have a quarter for each leg and it is enormously good and keeps the morale going. The pressure is on to do well, but I am feeling driven."
Conrad Humphreys (DMS): "I always get a little nervous before starts. Probably, in many ways more so for this race because it is so intense and the competition is all around you, whereas for a Transatlantic it's a different set of pressure."

Erwan Tabarly (Nacarat) upon leaving the dock this morning in Perros-Guirec: "I slept very well! Given the conditions we have to start, I am not going to get stressed at this point. On the contrary, I am feeling quite serene. It is going to be calm, but the stress will be trying to be up at the front from the start and then things will be ok.  I am not worried about the calm conditions so long as the boat is moving.  If we end up going backwards, then it is not going to be much fun!  I just really want to do well this year.  That is pretty much how I am feeling before today's start."

Eric Drouglazet (Luisina) on his 19th participation speaks before the start: "This first leg is not looking all that clear, the conditions are not all that endearing!  When you train all winter in windy conditions you get to be good at boat handling.  When you have such light conditions, it does not come down to how you handle and anyone can do well.  The rookies and young ones can do well.  There should also be lots of seaweed, which again raised the uncertainty.  The English coastline is going to be the toughest part and we will all find out pretty quick who handles it best.  We could see puffs of wind just a few metres away allowing for some getaways and gaps to build.  So having a good handle and understanding the weather will be key.  It is likely we will have to anchor as the tidal coefficients are so high."
Yannig Livory (One Network Energy): "It is not going to be too windy out there!  The weather forecasts are not all that clear and the tides have a big coefficient...There are lots of people here who want to win this first leg.  The most complicated thing is going to be sailing along the South coast of England because there are a number of headlands to round.  There won't be much time for sleep, but then there should be just three nights at sea."

Dublin Bay it set to burst alive with 'joie de vivre' during the only foreign stopover in the world-famous Solitaire du Figaro yacht race.

Dun Laoghaire will be the only international stop in the race, considered the unofficial world offshore solo championship, between 11 and 14 August.

To celebrate the visit of the iconic 3,390km race, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council (dlrcoco), the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company and the National Yacht Club have joined forces to create the Festival des Bateaux.

The harbour will be a magnificent tapestry of colour as the boats arrive for this international event. Dun Laoghaire will be resplendent with fireworks, music and the sights, sounds, foods and ‘joie de vivre’ of France.

How Dun Laoghaire will look in August

Fireworks will light up the sky at 10pm on Friday 12 August. There will also be a festival village with public access to visiting boats, a colourful and authentic French market and exhibition, a festival stage at Harbour Plaza and activities throughout Dun Laoghaire, not to mention a spectacular farewell as the boats depart early on Sunday 14 August.

Meanwhile, plans to berth the 45 or so competitors expected are well underway, according to the National Yacht Club.

Funding was secured between dlrcoco and Fáilte Ireland, and the tender for the supply and delivery of 18x11.5m pontoons and associated service bollards was won by McNiven Marine, Irish agents for Ronautica Marine.

The gangway contract was secured by Tynes Gangway, and the last contract for the installation and de-commissioning of the infrastructure is currently underway.