Breezy welcome in Dun Laoghaire
Beautiful sunny summer-like day greeted almost 60-strong fleet at the Royal Irish Yacht Club today with a breeze of 16-20 knots gusting 25. It was a busy morning at the Club with last preparations for tomorrow’s racing and registering a couple of more teams who decided to join last minute.
In addition to Vasco Serpa the Portuguese presence was strengthened by AP Hotels & Resorts of Paulo Ramada with Artem Basalkin calling tactics, Gonçalo Lopes and Carlota Gala as crew.
In the last days more top names have been added to the list of our participants! The UAE team KIDZINK on their new boat 3818 have welcomed Libby Greenhalgh as helm and Charlie Whelan has invited British Sailing Team 49er sailor Arran Holman.
PRO David Lovegrove held the skippers briefing at 13:30 and announced that a short practice race will be called once the state of the sea was checked. Boats docked out on time and short one lap race was held in glorious sunshine.
The race witnessed strong performance from team Xcellent of John Pollard (GBR), Skin in The game of Ed Russo (FRA), AP Hotels & Resorts of Paulo Ramada (POR), Aeolus of Brett Cooper (AUS), both French Youth teams and Australian youth team Ares of Will Sargent, who finished first.
The event continued ashore with the official opening ceremony, where the Class President and RIYC commodore Jerry Dowling welcomed the participants. A few words from John Malone, our sponsor and the CEO of Provident CRM highlighted the exciting conditions we are to experience in Dublin Bay this coming week. The sailors also received a warm welcome word from the local city council representative.
Jerry Dowling, Class President and John Malone, CEO of Provident CRM
What awaits us in the next five days?
In terms of racing schedule the plan is to sail 12 races overall with three races to be held on the first two days (Monday and Tuesday) and two races per day in the last three days (Wednesday to Friday). Each day after Monday – when we get first results – the day’s leader will be awarded with a “yellow jersey” in a form of colourful spinnaker from our sponsor Provident CRM.
On the shore side a great social programme was created to help competitors relax and unwind after a nail-biting days on the water. On Tuesday we will enjoy a live concert with traditional music from the award winning Courtney Cullen and her Ceili Cottage gang as well as the famous RIYC BBQ!
The fight for the prizes will not only be for the gold, silver and bronze winners, but will also include:
- One winner in Corinthian category, where we have 40 teams registered
- One winner in Female category, in which four teams are competing
- One winner in Youth category with seven teams fighting for the title
- One winner in the Masters category with five teams.
In addition, the best performing nation in the Class will win the Nation’s Cup, last year in Cascais it was France and we will see if they can defend their title!
Daily results, photos and sailing documents will be published on the event website.
Follow our social media for the action on and off the water and don’t forget to tag @sb20class on Facebook and Instagram if you are sailing here in Dun Laoghaire at the #SB20Worlds2022!