The Howth 17s will compete in one race on Friday evening from the East Pier followed by four windward/leeward races on Saturday. Last year’s winning boat, the 100-year-old Oona is showing the best form so far this season, and owner Peter Courtney will attempt an unprecedented ‘four in a row’ in a contest that is rarely short of incident.
Start-line manners will be demanded by international race officer David Lovegrove who is well aware of the competitive reputation of a class that defies its massive history and age once the warning signal sounds.
It is expected that about fifteen of the boats will take part in this year’s Championships, sponsored by eXpert Revenue Systems, strengthened by the addition of the newly constructed Sheila which will race against some boats that were built 111 years ago.
The oldest one-design racing keelboat class in the world – the Howth 17 – are holding their National Championships on Friday 7th and Saturday 8th August at Howth Yacht Club.
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