Rush Sailing Club will host the RS Aero Irish National Championships for the first time this weekend, bringing another major dinghy fleet to north Dublin while the ILCA 7 Men’s World Championship continues on Dublin Bay.
The RS Aero championship will share the waters off Rush with the club’s annual Senior Regatta and the Irish International Mirror National Championship, creating a busy weekend of racing on the East Coast. Principal Race Officer Scorie Walls will oversee racing for the multi-division fleets, with a trapezoid course planned for what organisers expect to be a fast-paced programme.
Defending RS Aero national champion Thomas Chaix arrives in strong form after winning last weekend’s RS200 Irish Nationals at Killaloe alongside his son Ben. Among those expected to challenge Chaix is Sophie Crosbie, who comes into the championship following a series of strong performances on the European circuit.
Experienced RS Aero campaigners Daragh Sheridan, Noel Butler and Roy Van Maanen are also expected to feature prominently, having regularly competed at the front of national and European fleets.
Paul McMahon, meanwhile, will miss the Rush championship as he competes in the UK.
The mix of established front-runners and a fleet capable of regular upsets points to a closely fought championship, with the title potentially remaining open until the final races.
With favourable conditions currently forecast, Rush Sailing Club is set for a busy weekend as three fleets combine for a major festival of dinghy racing.
