#icra – The Irish Cruiser Racer Association (ICRA) is to try again and form a team for the 2014 Commodore's Cup in Cowes, an international cruiser team event Ireland won in 2010.
ICRA is seeking declarations of interest from owners to participate in an Irish challenge that was won so convincingly by Anthony O Leary's Antix, Dave Dwyer's
Mariners Cove and Rob Davies Roxy.
"The Cup takes place again in 2014 and it's likely to be a similar format to 2012. The earlier that ideas are exchanged and interest is declared, the better the opportunity to mount a winning challenge" says ICRA chief Norbert Reilly.
It's the second major announcement for the go-ahead Irish sailing body this month. Last week Reilly launched a 'more sailors, more sailing' crew training initiative that kicks off in Howth in April.
Former ICRA Commodore Barry Rose ([email protected]) is the ICRA rep looking after the Team Ireland Commodore's Cup efforts , a role he is well used to having being team manager for the successful three boat team three years ago and the man behind efforts to rekindle interest in 2011 and 2012.
There was little surprise that despite exhaustive efforts over a long period it had not been possible in the current environment for Ireland to mount a defence team for the 2012 Cup.
After months of doubt about Ireland's ability to put a competitive three boat team together Ireland eventually pulled out of mounting a defence for the cup last August. The event was won by host nation Britain.