Irish Cruiser Racing Association National Championships at Howth Yacht Club - Preview
by Irish Cruiser Racing Association 7 Sep 2023 20:59 BST
8-10 September 2023
annual Irish Cruiser Racing Association Nationals © David Branigan / Oceansport
With fine weather and the prospect of sea breezes, a fleet of 70 boats from around Ireland is gathering at Howth for the annual Irish Cruiser Racing Association National Championships sponsored by monday.com (Friday 8th to Sunday 10th September 2023).
The three day series features a mix of coastal courses and racing in the pristine waters off the Fingal shoreline between Ireland's Eye and Lambay islands.
The regatta is part of the showcase Howth Maritime & Seafood Festival with events running throughout the weekend at the popular seaside village.
Four national titles will be decided under the international IRC boat rating system while the J24 class - that features many Under 25 crews - will also compete for their Irish championship.
An overall winner of the event will also be decided and Michael and Richard Evans Snapshot from the host club will, as the 2022 ICRA Boat of the Year be seeking this title as well as the Cruisers Division 1 win.
All coasts of Ireland will be represented in the fleet such as Rachel Burke's Tribal from Galway Bay Sailing Club, John Minnis’ Final Call II from Down and Brian Jones Jelly Baby from the Royal Cork Yacht Club.
The largest single division will be the J24's where Sligo Yacht Club with 21 boats while inland clubs from Lough Erne and Lough Ree are also entered. South coast entries from Crosshaven, Kinsale, Fenit and Waterford are amongst the full event fleet while almost every harbour on the East coast will be represented.
Racing is scheduled to begin for the J24's at 11.25 on Friday followed at 11.45 when the big boats of Cruisers Division 0 that begin their scenic coastal course.