12 Foot Dinghy AGM at the Royal St. George Yacht Club
by Vincent Delany 11 Apr 2018 06:28 BST
International 12 foot AGM Dinner © Bert Hamminga
A huge group of over thirty 12 Foot Dinghy enthusiasts turned up at the Royal St. George Yacht Club on 6th April for the 94th AGM of the 'Irish International 12 foot Dinghy Class' or 'Cumann Báid Dhá Chosa Déag na hÉireann'.
There were representatives from Belgium, Uganda, Baltimore, Cork, Cavan and Dublin Bay (north and south). The members heard a summary of last years escapades, including trips taken by some of the Irish 12 foot dinghies to European and 'Brexit' events, and the Irish Championship won by Mark Delany in Cora. A book describing the Class activities in Ireland since 1923 was launched.
During the 2018 season there are many exciting events proposed, including the highlight of the year which is the 3rd. Vintage Yachting Games organized by The Vintage Yachting Games Organization, The Royal Danish Yacht Club, and Hellerup Sailing Club on 15-22 September-2018, sailing on the waters Oeresund, east of Skovshoved and Hellerup Harbors just north of Copenhagen, Denmark.
The Vintage Yachting Games Organization is a non-commercial joint venture of the following former classes which have competed in Olympic Games since 1920. (Vintage Yachting Classes): Europe, International 12, Olympiajol, Flying Dutchman, Yngling, Soling, Dragon, 5.5 Metre, 6 Metre, 2.4 Metre and Star.
According to the rules "The International 12 will race with wooden clinker built according to the original design, and shaped, rigged and fitted accordingly. Vintage dinghies will generally be accepted, round wood should be solid, sails should be fixed to boom and lug such that no profitable in-race adjustment is possible. There should be no gear for profitable in-race adjustability of the mast foot. A boom marline is allowed but not required."
We are quietly confident of having two Irish entries competing at these games, they are No. 8 and No.11. These numbers are highly significant as other countries will have boats carrying numbers up to 850.
The Class have decided to hold their Irish championship in the Royal St. George yacht Club at the end of August.
They 12 foot class have also decided to compete at CORK 300 in the year 2020 as a demonstration fleet in the Currabinny River.
The 12 foot class have decided to write to the 12m. Class, looking for twinning of the classes.