More than 100 sailors are due to travel to Cushendall this weekend for the Laser Ulster Championship and Ladies National Championship. The two-day event will open Cushendall Sailing and Boating Club's summer sailing season.
CSBC Commodore Emmet Connon said: "Cushendall is looking forward to welcoming sailors from across the province and across the island next weekend, and we hope that we will be able to provide them with good wind, good racing and good craic.
"Having successfully hosted provincial, national and international sailing events over the last decade, CSBC hopes that the Laser Ulster Championship will get our summer sailing season off to a good start. Our club turns 50 in 2011 and we plan to mark this important anniversary with a great year including plenty of great sailing and lively events that our visiting guests and the local community can all enjoy." he added.
Facilities for media: A club boat will be made available to broadcast media and photographers on Saturday and Sunday.
Should you wish to arrange interviews or have any special requests, please contact: Damian on +353 87 228 1119. More information can be found at: http://www.csbc.co.uk/blog/index.php/laser-ulsters/
The Laser Ulster Championship was last held in CSBC in 2002, when some 96 boats took part – including 17 local sailors. Seven of these went on to sail in the National Championship that year. Over 70 boats entered last year's provincial championship, which was held in Lough Erne Yacht Club in Enniskillen.
Many of the more competitive entrants will be using the upcoming races to hone their skills ahead of the 2012 Olympics, which will be held in Weymouth and Portland.
The Laser is one of the most popular single-handed dinghies in the world. The 4.23m Olympic Class boat is both robust and simple to rig and sail but also provides competitive racing for both beginners and advanced sailors.
Cushendall Sailing and Boating Club was established in 1961 and today is a busy sailing hub on the North Antrim Coast. It provides competitive sailing facilities, races for both cruising yachts and sailing dinghies and a popular summer sailing school. It also has active rowing, sea angling and motorboating sections.
Since 1998 sailors from the club have competed at provincial and national Topper and Laser class competitions as well as other open events. Cushendall sailors have won the Northern Ireland Youth Championships, the Irish Topper championship and Irish team titles.
CSBC has hosted Optimist and Topper regional championships, the Irish Topper Championships and the Skydome Topper World Championships in 2000. Other classes of boats sailing at the club include: Flying Fifteen, Pico, Buzz, Laser 2000 and RS400.
EVENT DETAILS:
Friday, 7 May 2010
19.00: Registration opens (for sailors with advance bookings)
Saturday, 8 May 2010
09.00: Registration opens
10.30: Briefing for sailors
11.25: First race warning signal
16:00: Racing concludes
Sunday, 9 May 2010
Racing continues [Race times TBC]
