Howth’s sailing season has plenty of drive

Following its support of the highly successful J/24
Europeans last year, BMW Ireland is continuing its association with Howth Yacht
Club by sponsoring the Irish Cruiser Racing Association (ICRA) National
Championships in May.

This will be the outstanding event in the club’s 2012
calendar of 26 national, regional and local regattas.

The BMW Cruiser Nationals, as the event will be known,
will be the single biggest keelboat racing regatta in Ireland this year.

It is expected to attract over 100 entries across
Classes 0, 1, 2, 3 and White Sail Division for a 7-race series over three days
(Friday-Sunday, May 25-27), with over 700 sailors competing.

A number of Irish Sea offshore races are being planned
as

‘feeder races’ from other sailing centres in Ireland and the UK to further
enhance the fleet numbers.

It will be the third time Howth has hosted the event,
having handled the inaugural ICRA Nationals in 2004 and again in 2008.

Championship Chairman Chris Howard said:

“We are
naturally delighted that a company of the stature of BMW has seen fit to come
on board with Howth Yacht Club again to support this highly prestigious
championship and we look forward to welcoming some of Ireland’s top sailing
talent next May.

?

John Ives, managing director of BMW Ireland, said
their experiences in the sailing world have always been positive and their
association with the J/24 Europeans was very worthwhile.

“So we are pleased to maintain our relationship with
Howth Yacht Club who we know will provide an event of the highest calibre –
afloat and ashore – that reflects well on our brand,

? he stated.