Displaying items by tag: Laser

22nd July 2013

Top Ranked Laser Sailors on Tour of Belfast Lough

#Laser – The Kiel week regatta winner plus a host of international Laser stars are on Belfast lough this week, training at Ballyholme YC.

The friends of Irish Laser sailor James Espey are from the world Laser circuit have come over to Ireland with two coaches in the down-time between championships.

One has a nickname "Mini". Another has just won Kiel week! Another is lying 6th in the world rankings. Ash Brunning – Aus, Philipp Buhl – Ger, Fabian Gielen – Ger, Lukas Feuerherdt – Ger, Coiln Cheng – Sin and Kristain Ruth – Nor.

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17th July 2013

Youth Medalist Finn Lynch Off to Great Start at U21 Laser Champs

#laser – Last year's ISAF Youth Silver medallist Finn Lynch opened his Laser Standard Men's U21 World & European Championship 2013 account on Lake Balaton, Hungary with a fifth place yesterday and is lying 27th overall after three qualifying races. Download results below. As we reported earlier, the Blessington Sailing Club sailor is in Hungary with Wexford's Philip Doran and Fionn Lyden from Schull. Doran is currently 39th and Lyden is 70th.

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15th July 2013

Three Irish Laser Sailors Compete for U21 World Honours

#Laser – A three-man Irish Laser youth squad compete in Balatonfured, Hungary tomorrow in the U21 Laser Standard World Championships. Wexford's Philip Doran, West Cork's Fionn Lyden and Kildare's Finn Lynch will be in action. More on www.balatonlaserworlds2013.com

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5th July 2013

Laser Sharp Glynn Produces Stand Out Leinster Radial Performance

#laser – Ryan Glynn in the Radials with straight firsts was the stand-out performance at last weekend's Laser Leinster Championships in Wexford Harbour Boat Club.

Conditions were 5-15 knots and shifty on Saturday then blowing stink Sunday, all in a fantastic warm, but unstable westerly breeze that reduced racing on Sunday to just one race.

Chris Penney and Mattie O'Dowd had a titanic struggle at the top of the Standard fleet and in the 4.7s, Conor O'Beirne of the Royal St. George YC came through in the last race with a nice confidence boost before he heads off this week to Hungary for the 4.7 European championships.

Results below from Wexford Harbour Boat Club

Laser Leinster Championship Std 2013

Entries: 17 Races Sailed: 4 Discard: 1

Series Place	Sail No	Type of Boat	Class	Helm	Club	Series Points	Race 1	Race 2	Race 3	Race 4
1	201566	S		Chris Penney	East Antrim BC	5	3	1	1	3
2	181999	S		Mathew o'Dowd	Royal St. George YC	5	1	2	2	2
3	185104	S		Conor Simms	Royal Ulster YC	10	2	3	8	5
4	198554	S		Conor Byrne	Royal St. George YC	11	6	4	3	4
5	193562	S		Oisin McClelland	Ballyholme YC	19	10	8	11	1
6	197364	S		Sean Murphy	Kinsale YC	19	8	7	4	10
7	178335	S	M	Sean Craig	Royal St. George YC	20	4	5	12	11
8	201365	S	M	Stephen Penney	East Antrim BC	20	9	12	5	6
9	155068	S	M	Ross o'Leary	Royal St. George YC	21	5	6	10	14
10	191670	S	M	Colin Galavan	Royal Irish YC	24	12	11	6	7
11	185043	S		Peter Cameron	East Antrim BC	25	11	10	7	8
12	198560	S		Henry McLaughlin	Carlingford Lough YC	25	7	9	9	9
13	181674	S	M	Troy Hopkins	Howth YC	39	13	13	15	13
14	173164	S	M	Timmy Washington	Wexford Harb. B&TC	40	15	14	14	12
15	178689	S	M	Tommy Fallon	Wexford Harb. B&TC	43	14	16	13	18
16	180237	S	M	Paul Ebrill	Wexford Harb. B&TC	47	16	15	16	18
17	137120	S		Don Ryan	Wexford Harb. B&TC	54	18	18	18	18

Laser Leinster Championship Radial 2013

Entries: 32 Races Sailed: 4 Discard: 1

Series Place	Sail No	Type of Boat	Class	Helm	Club	Tally	Series Points	Race 1	Race 2	Race 3	Race 4
1	198552	R	Y	Ryan Glynn	Ballyholme YC	64	3	1	1	1	1
2	190758	R	Y	Dougie Power	Waterford Harb. SC	19	13	2	2	13	9
3	183948	R	Y	Ross O'Sullivan	Kinsale YC	76	13	14	7	4	2
4	203715	R	Y	Tim Brow	Ballyholme YC	72	13	6	4	7	3
5	181428	R	Y	Ronan Jones	Wexford Harb. B&TC	74	17	9	6	2	33
6	200637	R	Y	Ruairi Finnegan	Waterford Harb. SC	85	17	8	3	33	6
7	191247	R	Y	Andrew Penney	East Antrim BC	45	19	5	5	9	14
8	198780	R	Y	Tadhg o'Loingsigh	Tralee Bay SC	87	21	10	8	3	33
9	201603	R	Y	Conor o'Farrell	Carlingford Lough YC	63	21	12	9	8	4
10	190755	R		John Flynn	Dungarvan Harb. SC	12	27	3	12	12	12
11	199054	R	Y	Gary Fekkes	East Antrim BC	93	27	7	14	10	10
12	187591	R	Y	Kevin Harrington	Courtown SC	99	28	18	17	6	5
13	197362	R	YL	Erica Ruigrok	Rush SC	75	29	4	10	15	18
14	198556	R	Y	Mark Bolger	Royal St. George YC	53	31	11	15	5	15
15	190759	R	Y	Conor Murphy	Kinsale YC	6	31	15	13	11	7
16	196533	R	Y	Sam Wilkinson	Ballyholme YC	91	32	13	11	17	8
17	175356	R	Y	Patrick Cahill	Royal St. George YC	55	43	16	22	16	11
18	190774	R	YL	Aoife Hopkins	Howth YC	54	46	21	19	14	13
19	192602	R	YL	Suzanne Flannigan	Ballyholme YC	78	52	33	18	18	16
20	192333	R	Y	Daire Cournane	Kinsale YC	8	55	25	16	20	19
21	201828	R	Y	Luke Murphy	Royal St. George YC	2	59	17	23	19	33
22	178328	R	Y	Thomas McGrath	Royal Cork YC	100	62	19	21	22	33
23	200745	R	Y	Scott O'Sulivan	Kinsale YC	52	65	24	20	33	21
24	191319	R	YL	Sorcha Donnelly	Ballyholme YC	47	65	22	24	23	20
25	201678	R	L	Jessica Rutherford	Hollywood YC	90	67	20	26	21	33
26	197894	R	Y	Nathaniel Gillett	Royal St. George YC	98	69	33	28	24	17
27	198526	R	Y	Charlie Edgar	Donaghadee SC	79	73	23	25	25	33
28	143122	R	Y	Dermot Wildes	Courtown SC	69	86	26	27	33	33
29	186795	R	Y	Gregory Fay	Dungarvan Harb. SC	43	86	28	31	27	33
30	167852	R	Y	Conor Clery	Greystones SC	71	86	27	30	29	33
31	196018	R	Y	Colm Moloney	Courtown SC	66	87	29	32	26	33
32	96255	R	Y	Aaron Jones	Greystones SC	73	87	30	29	28	33

Laser Leinster Championship 4.7 2013

Entries: 16 Races Sailed: 4 Discard: 1

Series Place	Sail No	Type of Boat	Class	Helm	Club	Tally	Series Points	Race 1	Race 2	Race 3	Race 4
1	183231	4	Y	Conor O'Beirne	Royal St George YC	4	5	3	1	4	1
2	198435	4	YL	Cliodhna o'Regan	Kinsale YC	86	6	2	2	2	4
3	180938	4	Y	Richard Thompson	Royal Cork YC	70	7	10	4	1	2
4	179328	4	Y	J.D. Elmes	Royal Cork YC	14	12	4	5	3	7
5	203716	4	Y	Ciaran Finnegan	Waterford Harb. SC	88	14	1	10	12	3
6	201557	4	YL	Jocelyn Hill	County Antrim YC	84	17	6	3	9	8
7	190754	4	Y	Conor Sherriff	Courtown SC	94	17	5	7	5	17
8	19736	4	Y	Richard Hogan	Howth YC	38	19	7	9	6	6
9	189372	4	Y	Billy Duane	Royal Cork YC	59	22	9	6	7	10
10	172360	4	YL	Eva Donworth	Royal Cork YC	77	27	11	11	11	5
11	172172	4	L	Rebekah Rutherford	Hollywood YC	92	31	13	8	10	17
12	198783	4	YL	Caoimhe Cotter	Wexford Harb. B&TC	57	31	14	12	8	11
13	163142	4	Y	Luke McGrath	Royal Cork YC	61	34	8	13	13	17
14	188461	4	YL	Blathnaid o'Connell	Royal St George YC	62	38	12	14	14	12
15	177879	4	Y	Robert Wynne	Dungarvan Harb. SC	83	43	17	17	17	9
16	190672	4	YL	Kate MacAdorey	Carlingford Lough YC	89	45	15	15	15	17

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4th July 2013

Record Entry Forecast for 2013 Laser World Championships in Oman

#laser – A record entry is forecast for the 2013 Laser World Championships in Oman from November this year with interest so overwhelmingly high that places are already oversubscribed for the Master class four months ahead of the October entry cut off date.

Entries are now filling up quickly from Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, North, South and Central America. The line-up for the Laser Standard is expected to include renowned Olympic medalists such as Pavlos Kontides (Cyprus), silver medalist at the London 2012 Olympics Game, Andy Maloney (NZ) rising star from New Zealand, bronze medalist in the 2012 Laser World Championship in Germany and Tonći Stipanovic (Croatia), silver medalist in the 2012 Laser World Championship in Germany.

The Laser Radial Youth World Championship to be held from 28th December – 3rd January has so far attracted sailors from 19 countries and all indications are that this category may also soon be reaching triple figure.

"The overwhelming interest in the event shows that competitors, their families and friends are keen to travel to Oman from every continent. This is a direct result of how we have marketed the championship," says Oman Sail Events Director, Issa Sultan Al Ismaili.

"We expect to set a new all time entry record in the Laser Standard Men's World Championships especially since we are working closely with the International Laser Association to encourage entries from emerging sailing nations. Our goal is to have sailors from 60 nations competing and I think it is achievable considering early indications."

Competitors for the Masters championship are being encouraged to bring their partners and combine a holiday with the championship experience. Similarly friends and family accompanying young sailors to the youth Laser Radial Championships can leave winter behind to enjoy an extended festive season vacation in the sun.

Special entertainment and social programmes highlighting the culture of Oman and local themes will include a "Night with the Stars" featuring Olympic medallists, expert coaches and inspirational sailing heroes to share experiences and meet the interests of young and old especially during the New Year period.

In all over 1000 additional visitors are expected to accompany the teams, including race officials, coaches, international media and family members when the world's most popular adult and youth racing class comes to Oman.

"It will definitely have a positive impact on inbound tourism and present a very powerful way to introduce Oman to a lot of influential people. The hosting of the ISAF Annual Conference just prior to the event will also offer an unprecedented opportunity to showcase our sailing venues and facilities to the most powerful decision makers in the sport, " said Al Ismaili.

Hosting the Laser World Championships is also integral to the highly successful Oman Sail national sailing initiative in Oman that is reviving the country's centuries old sailing heritage.

Since it was launched in 2008, 11,000 young Omani's have been through sail training programmes at grass roots level, a comprehensive youth development programme is in place and the country's elite sailing squad is competing worldwide at international events.

"Hosting the Laser World Championships will both attract professional expertise and instil national pride by giving our national squad the chance to compete against the best in the world in home waters.

"It will also help develop the knowledge and skills of those Omanis who will be involved in the sailing, race management and event organisation and give a broader basic understanding of the sport of sailing."

Steady winds and typically 24 degree weather in November combined with state of the art infrastructure and facilities for sailors, media, race and event management, a 54 berth marina, refuelling station, dive school and workshop facilities complemented by upmarket accommodation and retail amenities all within walking distance is what sets Mussanah Sport City apart.

"We have proven experience and expertise in running extremely successful large scale local and international championships from the 2010 Asian Beach Games to the recent RC44 Oman Cup and three editions of the Extreme 40 Series. Everything is ready and in place." said Al Ismaili.

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21st June 2013

Charter Your Laser Dinghy for European Championships

#Sailors competing in the European Laser Championships in Dun Laoghaire later this summer are looking to charter Laser dinghies.

The National Yacht Club hosts the European Laser Standard and Radial European Championships from the 30th August - 6th September.

If you have a Laser five years or younger in good condition and would be in a position to charter it please contact Cathy Mac Aleavey at [email protected]

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26th May 2013

Kinsale's Chaix Wins Irish Laser Masters at Ballyholme

#laser – Thomas Chaix of Kinsale Yacht Club is the overall winner of the Irish Laser Masters Championship held at Ballyholme Yacht Club at the weekend. Second was Chris Boyd who also won the Grand Master division and the final race in 20 knots. Third was Ballyholme local Gareth Flannigan. Full results are downloadable as a jpeg file below.

Irish Laser Masters Championship

1st Thomas Chaix
2. Chris Boyd
3 Gareth Flannigan
4. Nick Walsh
5. David Fletcher

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18th May 2013

Kirby Makes Moves To Stop Laser Production

#Laser - The designer of the iconic Laser is putting pressure on the boat's manufacturer for the UK, Europe and North America to halt all production of the vessel, as Marine Business World reports.

Bruce Kirby has previously filed a complaint in the US Federal Court District of Connecticut alleging the unauthorised production of his design and non-payment of royalties by LaserPerformance, the company licensed to build Laser class boats for the western market.

It's now being reported that yesterday (17 May), Kirby's company Kirby Inc has sought a court order to issue a prejudgement remedy against LaserPerformance, which would prevent that or any associated company from building Lasers while the court assesses the case.

The International Laser Class Association (ILCA) and the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) are also named in Kirby's lawsuit for allegedly assisting LaserPerformance by supplying ISAF plaques despite being given formal notice to cease by Kirby.

In April, Kirby took the sailing world by surprise with the news that he had relaunched his classic single-handed one design under a new brand, the Kirby Torch.

The new company's website cited "supply of the Kirby sailboat and parts to sailors worldwide" as the issue for its terminating of previous manufacturing deals at the end of last year.

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1st May 2013

Flannigan will be Contender at Ballyholme Laser Masters

Multiple Irish National Champion Gareth Flannigan is one of the leading contenders for the Laser Masters title when it is sailed on his home waters of Ballyholme Yacht Club in three weeks time (25/26th May).

Visitors from Scotland and England are swelling the fleet at Ballyholme to over 50 entries.

Four entries leave for warm weather training in Lake Garda this weekend, a sign of how competitive Laser sailing is in Ireland right now.

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11th April 2013

Laser Designer Launches Iconic Boat Under New Name

#Laser - The sailing world has been taken by surprise with the news that the designer of the Laser has launched his iconic design under a whole new brand amid allegations over royalty payments.

Bruce Kirby - whose single-handed one-design has become a staple at the Olympic Games - has apparently signed all new builder agreements to manufacture his rechristened Kirby Torch design, after terminating his previous deals at the end the last year.

"The issue is supply of the Kirby sailboat and parts to sailors worldwide," according to the Kirby Torch website. "After numerous attempts, Bruce Kirby felt he had no choice but to withdraw Laser brand building rights in North America and Europe."

It's alleged that lack of royalty payments for the design by at least one top manufacturer prompted the move by Kirby to strike out on own, but nothing has been confirmed as of this time.

It is also not known exactly what the consequences will be for currently sailed Lasers and for the International Laser Class Association (ILCA), although the Kirby Torch website states that all ISAF-plaqued Lasers are class legal under the renamed fleet.

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About The Middle Sea Race

The Rolex Middle Sea Race is a highly rated offshore classic, often mentioned in the same breath as the Rolex Fastnet, The Rolex Sydney–Hobart and Newport-Bermuda as a 'must do' race. The Royal Malta Yacht Club and the Royal Ocean Racing Club co-founded the race in 1968 and 2007 was the 28th Edition. Save for a break between 1984 and 1995 the event has been run annually attracting 25–30 yachts. In recent years, the number of entries has rissen sharply to 68 boats thanks to a new Organising Committee who managed to bring Rolex on board as title sponsor for the Middle Sea Race.

The race is a true challenge to skippers and crews who have to be at their very best to cope with the often changeable and demanding conditions. Equally, the race is blessed with unsurpassed scenery with its course, taking competitors close to a number of islands, which form marks of the course. Ted Turner described the MSR as "the most beautiful race course in the world".

Apart from Turner, famous competitors have included Eric Tabarly, Cino Ricci, Herbert von Karajan, Jim Dolan, Sir Chay Blyth and Sir Francis Chichester (fresh from his round the world adventure). High profile boats from the world's top designers take part, most in pursuit of line honours and the record – competing yachts include the extreme Open 60s, Riviera di Rimini and Shining; the maxis, Mistress Quickly, Zephyrus IV and Sagamore; and the pocket rockets such as the 41-foot J-125 Strait Dealer and the DK46, Fidessa Fastwave.

In 2006, Mike Sanderson and Seb Josse on board ABN Amro, winner of the Volvo Ocean Race, the super Maxis; Alfa Romeo and Maximus and the 2006 Rolex Middle Sea Race overall winner, Hasso Platner on board his MaxZ86, Morning Glory.

George David on board Rambler (ex-Alfa Romeo) managed a new course record in 2007 and in 2008, Thierry Bouchard on Spirit of Ad Hoc won the Rolex Middle Sea Race on board a Beneteau 40.7

The largest number of entries was 78 established in 2008.

Middle Sea Race History

IN THE BEGINNING

The Middle Sea Race was conceived as the result of sporting rivalry between great friends, Paul and John Ripard and an Englishman residing in Malta called Jimmy White, all members of the Royal Malta Yacht Club. In the early fifties, it was mainly British servicemen stationed in Malta who competitively raced. Even the boats had a military connection, since they were old German training boats captured by the British during the war. At the time, the RMYC only had a few Maltese members, amongst who were Paul and John Ripard.

So it was in the early sixties that Paul and Jimmy, together with a mutual friend, Alan Green (later to become the Race Director of the Royal Ocean Racing Club), set out to map a course designed to offer an exciting race in different conditions to those prevailing in Maltese coastal waters. They also decided the course would be slightly longer than the RORC's longest race, the Fastnet. The resulting course is the same as used today.

Ted Turner, CEO of Turner Communications (CNN) has written that the Middle Sea Race "must be the most beautiful race course in the world. What other event has an active volcano as a mark of the course?"

In all of its editions since it was first run in 1968 – won by Paul Ripard's brother John, the Rolex Middle Sea Race has attracted many prestigious names in yachting. Some of these have gone on to greater things in life and have actually left their imprint on the world at large. Amongst these one finds the late Raul Gardini who won line honours in 1979 on Rumegal, and who spearheaded the 1992 Italian Challenge for the America's Cup with Moro di Venezia.

Another former line honours winner (1971) who has passed away since was Frenchman Eric Tabarly winner of round the world and transatlantic races on Penduik. Before his death, he was in Malta again for the novel Around Europe Open UAP Race involving monohulls, catamarans and trimarans. The guest list for the Middle Sea Race has included VIP's of the likes of Sir Francis Chichester, who in 1966 was the first man to sail around the world single-handedly, making only one stop.

The list of top yachting names includes many Italians. It is, after all a premier race around their largest island. These include Navy Admiral Tino Straulino, Olympic gold medallist in the star class and Cino Ricci, well known yachting TV commentator. And it is also an Italian who in 1999 finally beat the course record set by Mistress Quickly in 1978. Top racing skipper Andrea Scarabelli beat it so resoundingly, he knocked off over six hours from the time that had stood unbeaten for 20 years.

World famous round the world race winners with a Middle Sea Race connection include yachting journalist Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Les Williams, both from the UK.

The Maxi Class has long had a long and loving relationship with the Middle Sea Race. Right from the early days personalities such as Germany's Herbert Von Karajan, famous orchestra conductor and artistic director of the Berliner Philarmoniker, competing with his maxi Helisara IV. Later came Marvin Greene Jr, CEO of Reeves Communications Corporation and owner of the well known Nirvana (line honours in 1982) and Jim Dolan, CEO of Cablevision, whose Sagamore was back in 1999 to try and emulate the line honours she won in 1997.

THE COURSE RECORD

The course record was held by the San Francisco based, Robert McNeil on board his Maxi Turbo Sled Zephyrus IV when in 2000, he smashed the Course record which now stands at 64 hrs 49 mins 57 secs. Zephyrus IV is a Rechiel-Pugh design. In recent years, various maxis such as Alfa Romeo, Nokia, Maximus and Morning Glory have all tried to break this course record, but the wind Gods have never played along. Even the VOR winner, ABN AMro tried, but all failed in 2006.

However, George David came along on board Rambler in 2007 and demolished the course record established by Zephyrus IV in 2000. This now stands at 1 day, 23 hours, 55 minutes and 3 seconds.

At A Glance - Middle Sea Race 2024

First held: 1968

Organising Authority: Royal Malta Yacht Club

Start

The 45th Rolex Middle Sea Race will start on Saturday, 19 October 2024.

Grand Harbour, Valletta: seven separate starts, at 10-minute intervals, from 11:00 CEST Saturday, 21 October 2024

Start Line: between the Saluting Battery, Upper Barrakka Gardens (Valletta) and Fort St Angelo (Birgu)

Various vantage points all around the Grand Harbour, high up on the bastions or at water level. Harbour access for spectator boats is restricted during the period of the start.

Course

Set in the heart of the Mediterranean and is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. It starts and finishes in Malta, passes two active volcanoes and takes in the deep azure waters surrounding Sicily, and the Aeolian and Egadi Islands, as well as lonelier outposts of Pantelleria and Lampedusa, both closer to the African continent than Europe.

Length: 606 nautical miles (1,122km)

Outright Race Record: 33h 29m 28s, Argo, United States, Jason Carroll

Monohull Race Record: 40h 17m 50s, Comanche, Cayman Is, Mitch Booth