World championships sail into Dún Laoghaire

THE eagerly awaited ‘KBC Laser Radial Worlds’ (Youth and Men’s 2016 World Championships) got underway in Dun Laoghaire Harbour last week.

A total of 350 ‘sailor-athletes’ from 48 nations including competitors from Italy, UK, France, Australia, Spain and as far away as Hong Kong, Argentina, Russia, and Singapore were in action on the water for six days of competitive racing.   

The youth worlds are seen as a testing ground for the next generation of Olympians aiming to compete in the Laser Olympic Class dinghy in Toyko 2020.

The ‘KBC Laser Radial Worlds’ is a huge draw, attracting some of the biggest and brightest sailing stars of the future from around the world.

The 40-strong Irish squad faced stiff competition from the visiting nations.

The opening races got underway in shifting westerlies gusting up to 13–knots but the mean strength was as low as six or seven, just above the minimum permitted for racing under regatta rules.

“That’s about as tough as it gets,” said Australian champion, 17–year–old, Finnian Alexander.

The event offers a significant economic boost for the area, and is worth €2.5m to the local economy.

Organisers hope this huge sporting occasion will put Dún Laoghaire Harbour firmly on the map as an international sailing destination.

Over  1,000 supporters and volunteers mobilised throughout the week to assist organisers and competitors.

The Royal St George Yacht Club and the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company jointly hosted the championship with close support from Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, Fáilte Ireland and sponsors, KBC Bank and Rationel. 

This is the first time this world championship sailed into Irish waters, following Canada in 2015 and Poland in 2014.   

Pat Watt, Director of Retail Distribution, KBC Bank Ireland sponsors of the championship, said they were delighted to sponsor this world-class sailing event.

David Kelly, Chairman of the KBC Laser Radial Worlds, added: “It is a tremendous boost for the harbour and the town to host an event of this calibre with all the positive spin-offs it has for the area.”

Eithne Scott-Lennon, Chairperson, Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company said: “We believe Dún Laoghaire Harbour can become a marine and leisure amenity of international calibre and what better way to do this than to showcase our amazing harbour to delegations from 48 nations from across the globe.”

Jennifer Churchward, Manager Event Ireland, Fáilte Ireland said they were delighted to champion what she described as a “great event”.

to demonstrate the uniqueness of Dublin’s coastline activities in offering memorable experiences for our overseas visitors.”