|
|
|
| 25th January 2012 |
|
| PRESS RELEASE |
| by Graham Smith |
Rear Commodore, Brian Turvey, welcomes the sponsors and guests
|
|
BMW Cruiser Nationals the highlight of Howth's 2012 Sailing Season
|
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 ICRA National Championships in May, making it 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 25-Sunday 27 May), 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 HYC has hosted the event, having handled the inaugural ICRA Nationals in 2004 and again in 2008.
Commenting on the sponsorship announcement, 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, commented: "Our experiences in the sailing world have always been positive and our 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."
In addition to the BMW Cruiser Nationals,
HYC's calendar of events during 2012 will also include:
|
 | Topper Leinster Championships - March |
| Spring Warmers series - April |
| J/24 Eastern Championships - May |
| Corby Cup - May |
| The annual Lambay Races - June |
| Fireball National Championships - June |
| Fingal International Family Cruising Festival - July 7th-15th |
| Match Racing Nationals - July |
| Dinghy Regatta - July |
| Puppeteer National Championships - August |
| 420/470 Nationals - August |
| Feva/RS200 & 400 Nationals - August |
| Howth 17s' Nationals - August |
| Shipman Nationals - August |
| Etchells Nationals - September |
| Autumn League - September-October |
|
The schedule effectively means Howth YC is hosting an event almost every weekend from April to October. It is estimated that almost 8,000 sailors will compete in the HYC-hosted events during the year, representing over 29,000 visitor days in the Club.
|
(L-R) Fintan Cairns, ICRA - Norbert Reilly, HYC Representative to ICRA
Chris Howard, Chairman BMW Cruiser Nationals - Brian Turvey, Rear Commodore
|
(L-R) Breda Dillon, Vice Commodore - Berchmans Gannon,
Laura Dillon - Raymond Sexton, Howth & Sutton Community Council
|
(L-R) Breda Dillon,
Barry Twohig, Group Leader - Howth Sea Scouts
Glen Reid, Chairman RS Feva Association
|
(L-R) Brian Turvey, Rear Commodore
Harry Hermon, CEO Irish Sailing Association
|
(L-R) Joe Carton, Berchmans Gannon,
Pat Murphy, Chairman Fingal Cruising Festival
|
(L-R) Tony Kelly, MD PAB Travel, Pat Connolly
|
(L-R) Pat Murphy, Breda Dillon,
Peter Courtney, Irish Cruising Club
|
(L-R) Peter McKenna, Bernie Condy, Des Flood
|
(L-R) Harry Gallagher, Nic Parton
|
(L-R) John Doran, Susan Cummins,
James Markey
|
(L-R) John Morris, Neil Inglis
|
(L-R) Charles Blandford, Ian Condy,
Stephen Harris
|
(L-R) Willian Nixon
Paul Cooper, Irish Coast Guard
|
(L-R) Cahir O'Beirne, Fingal County Council,
Breda Dillon, Mike Murphy
|
(L-R) Gerry O'Neill, Cian O'Callaghan, Labour Party Representative
|
(L-R) Kevin Monks, Suzanne Carroll,
Noel Davidson
|
(L-R) Caroline Burke, Emmet Dalton, Bernie Condy
|
Members & Guests
|
|
|
