Following the first event of the year in Tralee Bay in County Kerry in early May, Blessington in County Dublin will welcome the 29ers, 49ers and any skiffs to the Easterns over the weekend of the 25th and 26th of June (NOR below). The event is the second-ranking event of the year for the 29ers.
29er Western champions Ben O'Shaugnessy and crew Ethan Spain will have to once more fend off fierce opposition from Johnny Flynn and James Dwyer. Both teams are freshly returning from the Netherlands where they competed in one of the most competitive Eurocups of the year. The event may see the return of Leaving and Junior Cert partnerships who will be eager to catch up on lost sailing hours while in May and June study mode.
Skiff sailors and coaches Chris Bateman and Thomas Chaix have already indicated they are keen to compete again at the skiff event, but this time possibly as partners in a 49er. Will the 49er young guns from Lough Ree or the Royal St George outpace them?
Any skiff can compete and more importantly it will be an opportunity to share information and help less experienced skiff sailors to get the most out of their boat with both Chris and Thomas (who are Skiff coaches) prepared to help out on set-up and giving away tweaks and tricks.
Download the Notice of Race for Blessington below