The class which started in Howth in 2004 is busy preparing for the 2005 season with the main event being the International Etchells Class European Championship at Howth Yacht Club over the Last weekend in August.
The 2004 season finished with a fleet of 11 boats having been brought to Dublin. Already in February 2005 there are 15 boats now in the country, 3 of which are in Cork where a new fleet is beginning.
Others are currently looking for boats.
The sailing calendar for 2005 will start with the South Coast Championship in late April and all boats are encouraged to make the trip to Crosshaven to support the building of a new fleet there. Tuesday evening racing then kicks off followed by the HYC lambay race in early June. Other events notable
are the Baily Bowl and Howth/Niobe Trophy weekends.
The Irish Etchells Nationals will be held in HYC on August 20/21 followed on August 27/28/29 by the above mentioned European Championships chaired by Berchmans Gannon and which will be sailed under Principal Race Officer David Lovegrove. We expect to have a fleet of 30/35 boats racing with entries from the UK and possibly USA Italy and France.
Looking forward, the Etchells Worlds will be in Cowes in 2007 and Howth has put its name forward to host the 2009 Etchells Worlds.
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