SAILING/Weekly column: Results confirming British press claims that Dublin's cruiser-racing scene is more competitive than in Cowes have been served up to the Royal Ocean Racing Club in it's own backyard this week as Dún Laoghaire campaigns lead the Commodore's Cup on the Solent this morning, writes David O'Brien
Dublin Bay Sailing Club commodore Jim Dolan can take satisfaction from this week's home-grown performance by Eamon Crosbie's Calyx Voice & Data and Colm Barrington's Flying Colours that underpin comments from British yachting columnist Andi Robertson in July's Yachts and Yachting.
In an interview with naval architect John Corby, the column concludes, "the standard on Dublin Bay at the moment is higher than on the Solent."
Elsewhere, a string of seconds and thirds and a race win gives Kinsale's George Kingston the overall lead in the youth division, and fourth overall in the open division, at the Laser Radial European Championships at Ballyholme YC on Belfast Lough that has attracted 220 boats from 21 countries. Although seven races have been completed out of a possible eight so far, racing has been in light winds that have delayed the programme.
In America's Cup news, sacked Alinghi syndicate skipper Russell Coutts will look at "all sorts of options" for the next America's Cup regatta in 2007, including rejoining Team New Zealand. He is due to sail in the inaugural Irish Etchells National Championships next month in Howth. This is something of a coup for the fledgling class and its captain David Murnane.
In home news, fresh from his success in a winning crew at last week's British Open Flying Fifteen Championships sailing with Hampshire's Charles Apthorp, Dún Laoghaire's Alan Green rejoins regular helmsman Justin Burke for the Irish Championships in Strangford Lough tomorrow. Although locals Darren Martin and Simon Murray are favourites at the tidal venue, Dún Laoghaire's Seán Craig is making a reappearance on the keelboat circuit with Ben Mulligan and are a strong combination.
Meanwhile, 30 boats will compete for Squib Championship honours in Howth tomorrow, including the British champion Chris Hogan.
In dinghy news, buoyed by national champion Conor O'Brien's result in Ecuador last week, where he finished 29th in a fleet of 240, the Irish Optimist Association sends a four-girl, four-boy team to Sweden next week for the European championships.
Shane McCarthy and Andy Thompson won the Irish Fireball National Championship in a 38-boat fleet, including sailors from South Africa and England, hosted by Sligo YC last weekend. Justin Maguire and Francis Rowan finished second with Will Moody and Stephen Gill third.
