Howth's Wave Regatta set for 154-boat fleet this weekend
by Howth Yacht Club 31 May 2018 06:27 BST
1-3 June 2018
Wave Regatta at Howth © David Branigan / Oceansport
A fleet of 154 boats comprising entries from Howth and around the Irish Sea will be in action over three days of the June Bank-Holiday weekend for the inaugural Wave Regatta.
Fine weather with sea breezes is expected plus an unrivalled hospitality experience ashore has attracted huge interest including 50 visiting boats.
Over 800 crew-members are expected in addition to family and friends for the evening entertainment programme provided by event sponsor Michael JF Wright Hospitality.
Entries have officially closed but Wave Regatta Director of Racing David Cullen has said every effort will be made to accommodate last-minute boats.
Additional berths have been made available in the marina for visitors as the Howth YC cruising-group has relocated to nearby Malahide. Deepwater berths with direct shore access have been arranged by the Howth Harbour Authority.
Racing under IRC and ECHO handicaps will be provided in six classes while boats have the option of competing on all three days starting on Friday 1st June or selecting only the traditional Lambay Race on Saturday 2nd June.
Approximately one-third of the fleet have opted for the one-day event meaning that the remaining two days will also be a 100-boat regatta. Racing for local one-designs and classic Howth 17's is also included in the line-up.
Leading crews across the classes include Pat Kelly's Storm in Class 1 where a 15-strong line-up will test the Rush crew's mettle.
Nigel Biggs Checkmate XVIII in Class 2 has a 20-strong opposition to contend with including potential challengers such as Anthony O'Leary from the Royal Cork YC on his modified 1720 Antix Beag and half-tonners The Big Picture owned by Mike and Richie Evans plus Cullen on Checkmate XV. Class 3 is another 20-strong event that includes youth and Under 25 teams from Howth and Galway.
Included in the event is the Irish Sea Offshore Racing Association fleet with around 20 boats expected, most racing in Saturday's Lambay Race that counts towards the ISORA season league.
Wave Regatta aims to provide the best racing and hospitality experience and is on course to be the biggest event of the 2018 season on Ireland's East Coast. Several initiatives including the Sailors for the Sea programme are being encouraged plus accommodation solutions and a daily ferry sailing at 0815 from Dun Laoghaire's East Pier to Howth in time for racing.
Further information available from www.WaveRegatta.com