Royal Cork Yacht Club launches Cork Dinghyfest 2015

Picture postcard setting for the Junior Fleet on day 2 of the CH Marine Irish Optimist National Championships © Robert Bateman

The Royal Cork Yacht Club (RCYC) has launched the 'Cork Harbour Dinghyfest 2015' which will be hosted by the Club from the 20th to the 23rd of August.

'Dinghyfest 2015' will consist of 4 days of world class racing, with courses inside and outside Cork Harbour. Irish class associations have confirmed that they will be holding the following events during the 4 day regatta:

• RS200 - Euro Cup & National Championships
• RS Feva National Championships
• RS400 Southern Championships
• Mirror National Championships
• 420 Nationals Championships
• Topper Munster Championships
• National 18 Southern Championships

There will also be mixed dinghy racing as well as an Optimist championship.

Announcing the event, Nicholas O'Leary, 'Dinghyfest 2015' Director of Sailing said:

"I've been monitoring the growth of dinghy sailing over the past number of years and believe the time is now right to get all fleets together and host a National Dinghy Festival. I'm delighted that we will be hosting Dinghyfest 2015 at the Royal Cork Yacht Club. Over the last year or so I've seen a lot of old competitors and good mates migrate back to our roots of the dinghy classes. Graduates of old from the social Intervarsity Team Racing Circuit are now picking up affordable dinghies like the RS's, Lasers and Mirrors to name but a few. The latest to get into the dinghy craze is Ireland's Figaro "Full Irish" Campaigner, David Kenefick, who will join over a dozen RS400's now racing in Cork Harbour.

There are quite a few dinghy sailors who want to get together to race hard and renew friendships forged in their youth sailing days. Expats further afield will hopefully come to the party and Dinghyfest 2015 will facilitate those sailors coming home to compete and hopefully bring most welcome sailors from the UK and beyond to enjoy what Cork Harbour has to offer. We have four race courses planned and will look at rotating classes to challenge the tactical skills of all, with the varying conditions which each race area will present."

Dinghyfest 2015 will encompass a number of Class Championships with two, three and four days racing planned depending on the requirements. An overall Dinghyfest Championships will combine results for three days racing from the 21st to the 23rd and the finer elements will be detailed within the NOR and SI's. Entries for all events will be through the dedicated RCYC website which will be live on 1st February.

www.royalcork.com