WINNER - FIRST EUROPEAN Il Riccio - Ian Southworth & Chris McLaughlin - RCYC Cowes, GBR

(Top Left) John Ives, Managing Director BMW Ireland, congratulates the Il Riccio Team.

FIRST OVERALL Reloaded - Mark Penfold - Rochester YC, USA

John Ives congratulates the Reloaded Team.

The BMW J/24 European Championship, which finished on Thursday 15th September, has been acclaimed a major success by the 210 competitors from nine countries, both on and off the water. A major factor in the event's success was the generous sponsorship from BMW Ireland whose displays added immensely to the occasion. BMW's contribution was immense, not just in financial terms but also by way of support in several other key areas. The Race Management team, led by Prinicipal Race Officer David Lovegrove, deservedly received countless plaudits for completing the 10-race schedule despite severe weather conditions preventing two full days of racing. The quality of the courses and the efficiency of the race management were also applauded. Ashore, the pre-event measurement and registration went smoothly and the craning in and out of 42 boats was an exercise in real co-ordination by the marine staff. Organising Committee Chairman Derek Bothwell paid tribute to the core group on his committee who handled general administration, measurement, accommodation, PR and social activities and to the 60 volunteers who helped in other ways such as RIB drivers, committee and mark boats personnel, race office etc. Local businesses supported the event in other ways, with a number kindly taking advertising space in the official programme. These included Aqua Restaurant, Hyde Sails, The Brass Monkey, Forno, The Hair Room, BKS & Co., The Oar House, The Bloody Stream, Wrights Findlater and The Country Market. Photographs of the championship are available from www.fotosail.com and a number of the blue event polo shirts are on sale for 20.

Diplomats Visit the Event John Ives, Managing Director BMW Ireland and HYC Commodore Roger Cagney with the Diplomats

List of Diplomats >>

(L-R) HYC Commodore Roger Cagney, Jim Farmer, President of the World Council of IJCA, Robin Eagleson, Irish J24 Class Association and Vice President of IJCA.

The HYC on-the-water Team relaxing after the event.