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Etchells World Championship 2010 Officially Opened at HYC - 21st August

Author: Graham Smith	Posted on: 21/8/10	Print Version

The 2010 Etchells World Championships were officially opened with a special ceremony on Saturday 21st August in brilliant sunshine on the club forecourt in front of hundreds of spectators on the balconies.

The St. Lawrence Pipe Band started the proceedings by marching on to the forecourt, taking up station next to the marina walkway. Organising Committee Chairman Berchmans Gannon then welcomed everyone to the ceremony and introduced the speakers standing in front of a special display unit.

Berchmans Gannon starts the proceedings

(L-R) Berchmans Gannon, HYC Event Chairman
Peter McKenna, Commodore HYC
Cllr. Peter Coyle, Deputy Mayor of Fingal
Bill Steele, International Etchells Class Association Chairman
Peter Crowley, President of the ISA
Dr. Michael Woods, TD

First to speak was Cllr. Peter Coyle, Deputy Mayor of Fingal, who welcomed all the participants to the Fingal region which, he said, boasts 88km of coastline and whose motto is 'Rich in Land and Sea'. He congratulated Howth Yacht Club on its efforts in bringing the event here and for its organisation so far.

The Commodore Peter McKenna was next to speak and he paid tribute to the Organising Committee for its commitment over a three year period. He thanked the local community and traders for getting behind the event and especially Fingal County Council for its primary sponsorship. He said the Club greatly appreciated the support of the County Council as well as Dublin Tourism, the Irish Sports Council and the Irish Sailing Association.

The ISA President Peter Crowley followed the Commodore and complimented HYC on taking on the event, in the knowledge that the club has the race management skills, facilities and experience to make it a huge success. The event, he said, comes at a time of real achievement for Irish sailing, with Peter O'Leary winning the Star class at the recent Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta in Weymouth and the Irish Team winning the Commodore's Cup on the day of the ceremony.

The remaining speakers were Bill Steele, the International Etchells Class Association Chairman and local Howth TD, Dr. Michael Woods.

The speeches were followed by the hoisting of the national flags of the nine countries represented in the Worlds. One representative of each nation was accompanied by an HYC junior member to flagpoles mounted on the railings overlooking the marina.

Flags of the Competing Nations Hoisted

(L-R) Ireland, USA, UK, Singapore, Netherlands, Italy, Bermuda, Bahamas, Australia

After the St.Lawrence Pipe Band played the Irish National Anthem, the Commodore officially declared the Championship 'open' and the guests were invited to enjoy 'A Taste of Howth', a reception in the clubhouse where the local restaurants provided samples of their fare.