Afloat Summer Issue out Next Week

17th June 2011

Afloat's Summer issue hits the shops mid-next week as Irish crews took to the international stage this month to reset the Olympic pecking order – in two classes at least – and stake a claim as contenders in next year's Olympic regatta.

A two-week stint at the start of this summer has served up a string of top results against the world's best sailors, first in Holland and now on the waters of the Olympic regatta itself at Weymouth.

But in spite of these top performances both Annalise Murphy and Peter O'Leary and David Burrows will wait anxiously until December before they get the chance to quality Ireland for the Olympic regatta in London. The ISAF Qualifer in Perth, Australia this winter will be a do or die event.

Nevertheless, results to date have struck exactly the right kind of note to spur on Irish crews round the coast this Summer.

A host of events lie ahead for 2011 and there are plenty of opportunities for competitive crews to show their mettle.

But it's clear such events can only happen here because of the commitment of a small bunch of volunteers made up from coastal communities from right around the country.

In the space of just the next few weeks the Fireball Worlds, the Tall Ships, the Dun Laoghaire to Dingle race, the ICRA Nationals, the Sovereign's Cup as well as the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta will become just memories of Summer 2011.

But their combined legacy means Irish sailing stays on the world stage.

Already that reputation is building for 2012 and beyond.

It's well known that the west coast will finish the Volvo Ocean Race next June but right now on Dublin Bay, plans are also afoot for the return of the Tall Ships to the capital and the ISAF Youth Worlds in Dun Laoghaire in 12 months time.

They are examples, were they needed, to show that in spite of every set back Irish sailing just comes out fighting.

Selected features from this issue include:

News

New Tall Ships Initiatives, Wins in Weymouth, Bonjour Figaro, ICRA is Club of the Year

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Island Nation

Removing the impression that sailing is "elitist" is a primary objective

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Fish Delivery

A cruising story from Lerwick on the Shetlands to Fort William in Scotland.

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Also in this issue:

Your guide to Dun Laoghaire Marina and the Official Programme for the biggest event of the year, the Dun Laoghaire Regatta

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Published in News Update

Tagged under

afloat summer issue

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