All ready there are a large amount of entries with strong interest being shown from abroad, with Great Britain and America sending their top youth sailors to this special event.
Some 250 to 300 entrants are expected to compete. Competitors will be divided into three fleets, a senior, junior, and regatta fleet, the latter comprising of approximately 50 boats. The senior and junior fleets will sail in Dublin bay, while the regatta fleet will race within the harbour. This younger less experienced fleet will also receive coaching during the event. Captain Carter of Dun Laoghaire Harbour has kindly granted permission for the regatta fleet racing within the Harbour.
A full social programme for competitors, their families and friends is planned. A brilliant salsa band with audience participation, a series of street entertainers with limbo dancers, jugglers and other acts will perform at various times throughout the event. There will also be face painting for the younger ones and lots, lots more! Check out the Programme of Events which will be on the Club website shortly.
With some 250 sailors, their parents, brothers and sisters, friends and over 100 volunteers of race officials and staff on and off the water, it is anticipated approximately 1,000 people in all will be part of this super event.
This event could not happen without the support of all our sponsors. Mitsubishi Motors are the main sponsors, while Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company and Viking Marine act as support sponsors. The Jelly Bean Co and others support this event with their product contributions also.
This is the largest youth sailing event in the country in 2009. The Royal St George is delighted to assist and support IODAI in organising this event. Many of our Irish Olympic and World class sailors commenced their sailing careers in the Optimist class before moving on to other sailing classes.
