The National Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire has preparations well underway to host the 2019 Flying Fifteen World Championships.
The event was launched on Wednesday and will see up to 80 two-person boats take to the water for the qualifying Pre-worlds from Sept 2 – 7 and thereafter the World Championships proper on Sept 8 -13.
Crews from as far away as Australia and Hong Kong are preparing for make their way to Ireland for the event – which will take place 50 years after the first Flying Fifteen boats came to Dublin Bay and the National Yacht Club.
Ireland has hosted the Flying Fifteen World Championships twice before – in 1992 and 2003 but this year’s event will be biggest operation yet. In 2003 the event was sponsored by Subaru Cars and once again in 2019 the car brand will take on the role as a primary sponsor.
The National Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire are the hosting Club and Commodore Martin McCarthy described the plans for the World Championship: “The National YC is proud to be hosting this major event – the only keelboat Sailing world championships to be held in Ireland this year. We have an army of local and club volunteers lined up to support the operation on and off the water. We are delighted to be welcoming visitors from around the world to Dun Laoghaire Rathdown and show global sailing influencers that Dublin Bay and Dun Laoghaire is a marvellous venue for large, high-quality sailing championships”.
Event Chairman Niall Meagher added: “The event is possible thanks to the generous and active support of a number of parties. Our primary sponsor Subaru Ireland, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, Flying Fifteen International, Sailing Ireland and other enthusiastic supporters. There is major spinoff for tourism in the Borough and for building its reputation as a global sailing venue.”
Pat Ryan, Managing Director of Subaru Ireland commented ‘We are delighted to be providing this additional sponsorship support to the Dún Laoghaire Flying Fifteen fleet and to assist with preparations for the busy year ahead. Subaru were the official sponsor of the Flying Fifteen World Championships way back in 2003 which was the last time this event came to Ireland so we are delighted to be involved again this time around. Subaru have a range of versatile, safe and capable AWD vehicles which are perfect for towing and as a result we feel our association with the sailing community, and in particular, the Subaru Flying Fifteen World Sailing Championships, is a perfect match for our brand’.
