Expectations are raised that winter sailing for cruisers in addition to two-handed dinghies will be possible in December if COVID restrictions are lifted later this week.
Sailing was part of a joint submission made to Government a fortnight ago that included 24 other non-contact sports that argued for the re-introduction of competition under Level 3 and Level 4 in the mixed households, pod system. There has been no definitive response to the submission and insiders say it is still very much '50:50'. 'A lot rests on what the Taoiseach says this Friday', Afloat was told.
The country's biggest winter race series organiser, Fintan Cairns of Dublin Bay Sailing Club says he is "hopeful our own NGB will retract its prescription re sailing under Level 3 and that this healthy, safe, non-threatening pastime can get going again".
"We have to be optimistic that we will get sailing again after December 1st - to sail Sundays 6th, 13th and 20th December," he added.
Cairns says that Turkey Shoot competitors, that regularly attracts entries of up to 60 boats, will need to be prepared to move quickly if racing is reinstated. He has urged skippers to organise boats and crew this week in anticipation.
He also says DBSC are ready to sail with Sailing Instructions and handicaps ready to go for the cut short series.
Cork Harbour Winter Racing
In Cork Harbour, Royal Cork Yacht Club was in the middle of its Autumn League when restrictions hit, cancelling the rest of the league along with the scheduled annual O'Leary Insurances Winter League from November 1.
When racing was cancelled on October 6th, it was expected RCYC would attempt to salvage some racing pre-Christmas with RCYC Rear Admiral Keelboats Daragh Connolly telling competitors at the time 'the club aims to resume racing when the guidelines allow'.
However, fast forward two months, the winter league is scheduled to conclude on December 6th and with many boats now hauled out, it is unclear what might now be feasible.