Dun Laoghaire - Home of the Regatta
IRC Cruisers, Non Spinnaker, One Design & Dinghies

Great value entry fee covers Racing, Berthing, Social, Craning (if applicable)

Sailing in the waters of Ireland's Capital City

Easy to get to from UK and Europe (by air and sea)

Short time requirement (just take the Friday off!)

Racing just 10 minutes from your berth

Full Social Programme across all four Waterfront Yacht Clubs

Easy access to town with all amenities

AFLOAT

A short sail to each race area

Top class berthing facilities

Over 500 boats across 26 classes

Plenty of short, sharp racing on six courses

Mix of Olympic and navigational courses

Ireland's top Race Officers

ASHORE
'Craic' ashore every night in four historic clubs
4* deluxe hotel on site (great regatta rates!)



  Regatta Site Venue

2011 Day 3 - Race Report
Responsive race management in trying conditions for sailors today on the third day of the 2011 Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta (selected overall results below)

(Saturday 9th July @ 1900 hrs) Responsive race management in trying conditions pulled off a successful day afloat and ¬ averted a major regatta set back ¬ for the mas...sive 420 boat fleet in the penultimate round of the four day Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta today.

In a classic Dublin Bay scenario a light westerly gradient breeze of 8 knots fought an opposing sea breeze leaving Ireland's top race management teams with little option but to reset some courses and abandon others across the regatta's nine different courses.

Despite the on the water headaches however, the outcome has been a full programme of races in nearly all the 25 competing classes, thanks to nimble race teams.

It leaves just two more races for the one designs and dinghies and a single race to decide the overall honours in the Cruiser classes tomorrow (Sunday) morning.

The hardest done by was perhaps the SB3s and Dragons who were sailing in Scotsmans' Bay. Race three was started twice and abandoned twice as the regatta's Chief Race Officer, Con Murphy, sat between two bands of wind, neither stable enough for racing.

The fickle conditions brought the first slip from Flor O'Driscoll's leading J24 in Cruisers III. Though the Royal St. George Crew still lead, their margin is now a single point over Ken Lawless' Supernova.

O'Driscoll who is counting three races wins only managed a second and another untypical 2nd placing today. Supernova closed the gap with two race wins.
Another J24 3. Scandal (Brian McDowell) is third.

21 Cruisers III are racing in IRC and 33 under the local ECHO handicap to be the biggest class at the regatta.

The J109s are racing for national championship honours and Pat Kelly's Storm from Rush Sailing Club is back in command again after a slip on Friday. Second is Andrew Sarratt's with John Maybury's Joker third.

In spite of the race abandonment issues Sharkbait (Ben Duncan/Brian Moran) lead the Laser SB3s. Aidan O'Connell's entry from the Royal St.George is third with John O'Driscoll's BomChickaWahWah third.

In the dinghy classes Johnny Ross Murphy's Water wag Little Tern leads from Swift (Guy Kilroy). William and Linda Prentice's Tortoise is third.

The final races for all classes get underway in the morning (Sunday 10th July) at 10.55am

2011 Kiteboarding at the Regatta
Great excitement this morning over at Sea Point where Kiteboarders were racing. The 2011 VDLR is proud to showcase this dynamic new class. Photo Jason Town | Cube Images


Press release - Saturday 9th July - This years regatta sees the launch of a brand new class, Kiteboard Course Racing. Many of you will be familiar with the mutlicolour...ed spectacle of kiteboarding, or as its sometimes called kitesurfing. Its not unusual to see 100+ kites in the air as you cruise or race pass Clontarf's Dollymount Strand. The sport has moved rapidly over the past 10 years with a vibrant community in Ireland, and is probably one of the most affordable sail sports available today. Now with a budding race scene, you can expect to see kites in large numbers vying for podiums all around the country.

The Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta has a history of being at the forefront of sail racing, and is proud to showcase this new dynamic class. Kite Course Racing was held this morning (first Start 10.15am) and depending on the wind will race again tomorrow Sunday 10th July.

The latest technology drive in kiteboarding has been towards course racing. Kiteboarders on race specific equipment fly upwind as quickly as an AC45, and achieve fully powered up racing from 8kts upwards. As you would expect, it has all of the hallmarks of high octane sailboat racing, as riders fight tooth and nail for every boat/board length, screaming for water at the mark, while searching for wind shifts and the fastest route around the cans, all this is done with breathtaking speed and agility. Heres an example of kiteboards pitted against hydrofoiling Moths, and 49er's ( http://www.pureracing.ie/ikite​r-tv/ )

Among the many hopefuls on the starting line, you can expect to see Francois Colussi, owner of Clontarf based kiteboard store & school Puremagic. Look out for Francois riding Cabrinha, he has been at the top of the sport for many years, competing at international level before settling in Ireland to open Puremagic Dublin & Achill. Jade O'Connor also on Cabrinha is no stranger to finishing line honours, a stalwart competitor in dinghy classes and catamaran's for many years.

The format is olympic / triangle courses, and ISAF rules under appendix BB, races are about 25 minutes long, raced back to back, with an event carrying the usual discard rules. A strict box rule governs the boards, keeping costs down and competition up. Kite size's range from 6m to 16m, as you can imagine the power to weight ratio is quite phenomenal. The class has a professional tour and recent world championships in Sylt, Germany, which was attended by over 70 competitors. Recent showcases have included the Rolex Miami OCR, the class is also in the mix for inclusion at the Rio 2016 Olympics Games.

2011 VDLR Kite Boarding Race 1 (Saturday 9th July)
Full Results as follows;
1. Francios Colussi
2. Jade O'Connor
3. Colm Murphy
...4. James Hayden
5 Eoin O'Connell
6 Melissa Evans, Carl Jordan, Catherine Etienne, Ross Harte, Charlie.

With marginal conditions the kiteboard course racing completed two races on Saturday. Enjoying cross onshore conditions at the required minimum 8kts limit at the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta.

A hard fought contest saw the PureMagic Team take first and second. Francois Colussi in first place on a 13m Cabrinha Crossbow, followed by Jade O'Connor also riding Cabrinha. In third place was Colm Murphy riding Nobile. A short but fantastic day's racing in Dublin Bay

2011 Day 2 Race Report
Light winds replaced heavy for day two of Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta and although it has been a regatta of extremes so far it is also one that has completed the full schedule for all 25 classes.

Ireland's largest sailing event approaches the half way stage tomorrow and a number of key champions are emerging in cruiser, one design and dinghy classes.

Howth Yacht Club's Crazy Horse (Chambers/Reilly) leads Cruisers Zero from two Scottish visitors. Another local boat, the royal St. George's Sigma 38 Erislannan leads Class one, again from Scottish visitors.

Sligo Yacht Club's Conor Ronan has a two point lead in Class two but in the strongest regatta performance of the regatta to date the 2009 class three winner Hard on Port is in control again. Flor O'Driscoll's J24 Hard on Port has three wins in his 38 boat fleet, the biggest fleet of the regatta.

The one designs are lead, by fleet size at least, by the SB3s with 33 racing. The Howth trio of Ben Duncan, Brian Moran and Ric Morris are ahead but only by a point, their margin reduced by an OCS in race four.

The J109 class are also racing for national honours and after three races the early leader Pat Kelly's Storm has lost out to Joker (John Maybury) and Dermot Baker's Jalapeno in second.

The Dragon class only started racing the regatta today have now completed three races. Sir Ossis of the River sailed by Denis Bergin leads from Peter Bowring's Phantom.

2011 Day 1 Racing Report
(Thursday 7th July @ 21.30hrs) Unexpected strong winds got the fourth Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta off to a stunning start on Dublin Bay yesterday even though a number of boats in the massive 420-boat fleet got into difficulties as the southerly breeze hit 25... knots.

Nearly 3000 sailors and 420 boats are afloat for the four day regatta that is the biggest sailing event in the Irish Sea area.

An impressive line up of 14 Class Zero boats has made Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta the biggest turnout this year for the 40-footers and it was appropriate yesterday that Howth's well campaigned Crazy Horse should make the running in the big sea conditions. The Chambers/Reilly skippered Mills 36 beat Fairlie visitor Christine Murray's Elf too, a Beneteau First 40 on the windward leeward course. Third was another visitor Grand Cru (Jamie McGarry) from the Clyde.

Anthony O'Leary's put on a David vs Goliath performance in yesterday's dramatic opener of the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta which was a result of the surfing conditions that gave his modified 1720 a real chance to show her speed downwind against some boats seemingly twice the size in IRC One.

The gutsy performance would have put the Royal Cork yacht 'Antix Beag' top of the 19-boat fleet except the Cork crew lost their rig. It is still unofficial but Debbie Aitken's Elan 380 Animal from Royal Northern and Clyde Yacht Club is the probable winner. Second is the locally based Sigma 38 Errislannan skippered by Paul Kirwan.

In class two Sligo visitor Ruthless, a Corby 26, sailed by Conor Ronan beat the locally based half tonner Dick Dastardly from the DMYC. Another vintage half tonner, King one, from Howth and skippered by Dave Cullen was third.

Last year's winner of the overall Volvo trophy Flor O'Driscoll is back in contention again. His J24 Hard on Port was the winner of the regatta's biggest fleet yesterday, taking a win from Ken Lawless's Supernova in the 38-boat class three division.

In the one design divisions there were plenty of familiar names at the top top of the fleets given the testing southerlies that prevailed.

Tim Goodbody leads the Sigma 33s, David Gorman the Flying fifteens, Patrick Boardman the Mermaids, Colin Galavan the SB3s, first race winner Ben Duncan did not sail the second race. Pat Kelly's Storm leads the 10 boat J109s who are also racing for national championship honours.

410 Entries now in
Entry will close to this years event on Thursday 30th June so dont miss the chance to participate in 4 days great racing and craic.

Sailing Instructions are now availble in the PDF download below. They will also be issued in hard copy in skippers cases at Registration which will take place on the following days:

Tues 5th July 1500 to 2100
Wed 6th July 1100 to 1900
Thurs 7th July 0900 to 1300

All visiting and local competitors will be contacted by email in regards to Regatta Information.


  Sailing Instructions

3000 sailors expected to sail at Regatta...
With four weeks to go circa 3,000 competitors are now expected to start the biennial Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta. Entries are being received steadily in all 25 classes for the fourth edition of the regatta.

Already 380 boats have signed up for the regatta which will be the biggest sailing event in Ireland in 2011. The competing sailors are drawn from Dublin Bay yacht clubs and Howth as well as from across Ireland with added participation from English, Welsh, Scottish, Isle of Man, French, Spanish, German and Danish yacht clubs.

For many of the boats in the cruising classes, Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta 2011 will be the culmination of hard training and participation first at the ICRA National Championships at Royal Cork Yacht Club in Crosshaven (17th – 19th June) and then the Sovereign’s Cup at Kinsale (22nd – 25th June.) When the first starting guns are fired in Dun Laoghaire on the afternoon of Thursday 7th July, the fleet form should be clearer based on the results from the earlier regattas.

However star contenders that lined up for prizes at Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta 2009 are already in contention for prizes in 2011.

IRC Class Zero has attracted ten entries and will feature boats such as Aquelina, a J122 Arklow Sailing Club, Dopplebock, German-entry Dopplebock from Nordduscher Regatta Verein, a new J111 that is the latest ‘WoW’ from the Royal Irish Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire and Cork’s Jump Juice from the RCYC; all are expected to feature in the top results. Organisers are also expecting entries from Allan Hogg’s, Argie Bargie from Royal Western Yacht Club, Kilrush, Co Clare and Vincent’s Farrell’s, Tsunami, from the National Yacht Club.

IRC Class 1 has already attracted 22 entries and will feature Sailor of the Year 2010 Anthony O Leary with Antix Beag (RCYC), a modified 1720 which in the right conditions is unbeatable. Paul O’Higgins’s Rockabill V (NYC/ RIYC) was IRC 1 champion at Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta 2009 is also a key contender. Organisers say Rockabill is an extremely well crewed boat and could be in contention for the overall event prize.

IRC Class 2 has already attracted 24 entries and the star contender is David Cullen’s King One, a half tonner from Howth Yacht Club which although a classic boat is very well sailed. Red Rhum, Jonathan and Christopher Nicholson’s Dehler DB1 from the Royal St George Yacht Club which won on ECHO at Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta 2009 is also in this class.

IRC Class 3 also has a strong entry with 33 entries so far and Flor O’Driscoll’s Hard on Port (RStGYC) was the only boat in 2009 which achieved bullets (race wins) across the Regatta and is obviously the star contender in this class.

The Non Spinnaker classes (White Sail 1 and White Sail 2) which demonstrate the true spirit of sailing, have already attracted 25 entries, especially from visiting entries.

Philip Dillworth’s Orna, a Grand Soleil 40 from the National Yacht Club which will sail in Non Spinnaker class 1 is a wonderfully consistent boat that wins everything. Other boats to watch out for in this class are Persistance from the RIYC which won on ECHO in White Sail 1 class at Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta 2009 and Katanca from RIYC and MacMagic from HYC who both achieved line honors two years ago.

So far 12 J109’s are registered to race at Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta 2011 and John Hall’s ‘Something Else’ from NYC is widely regarded as the boat to beat in that class. Other ‘one design’ classes will include the Beneteau 31.7s, the Sigma 33s, the Ruffian 23s and the Shipman 28s.

The dinghy classes will include Laser SB3s sportboats. Squibs, Mermaids, Dragons, Flying Fifteens, Fireballs and Lasers single-handed.

Ben Duncan and Brian Moran’s SB3, Sharkbait from Howth YC is already sitting at top of its class. But another a key competitor in that class will be Annalise Murphy who is currently ranked 9th in the world by the ISAF (International Sailing Federation), is a 2012 Olympic sailing campaigner and has kindly taken on the role of 2011 Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta ambassador. Annalise will be sailing the SB3, Bluebird. In the Dragon class, a former Olympic boat, Martin Byrne is currently the national champion on Jaguar and also Commodore of the Royal St George YC, so is the boat to beat in that class.

The classic boat classes will include Glens, Howth 17s, IDRA 14s, Water Wags, Wayfarers and Etchells and may be consolidated into a single race area, depending on the turn out. The UK and Irish national championships for the Wayfarer class will also take place during the event, with 40 to 50 boats expected in this fleet alone.

Organisers are also trying to build a relationship with the kite boarding class, which may become an ISAF Olympic class by 2016. The Regatta will have a prize for a kite boarding event in Sutton, and will have a kite boarding demonstration on one of the regatta days.

In addition to the overall winners and runners up, special trophies will be awarded for Best IRC, Best One Design/ Keelboat, Best Dinghy/ Small Keelboat, Best Visiting Boat and the Irish Open White Sail Champion.

Behind the scenes, there’ll be more than 300 volunteers making sure that the event runs smoothly and organisers say they will process more than 6,000 sets of results (including handicap combinations) over the four days.

The regatta will take over the entire waterfront at Dún Laoghaire for the event, using the four yacht clubs and benefiting from Dublin Bay Sailing Club’s expertise and equipment.

- Ends –

For further information please contact Jane Curtin, Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta 2011 Media Director. Tel.: 087 938 0779

8 WEEKS TO GO......350 ENTRIES IN
One third of entries received so far are coming from outside Dublin Bay representing a record 61 different yacht clubs from Germany, France, Denmark, Isle of Man, England, Wales, Scotland and France, N.Ireland our local clubs and yacht clubs countrywide.

DID YOU KNOW.....With each class expected to race between 7 and 9 races each, organisers will process more than 6,000 sets of results over the 4 days!

The 4th Biennial Regatta 7-10 July
The 4th biennial Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta (VDLR) organised by the four waterfront yacht clubs in Dun Laoghaire will take place from July 7th–10th 2011 in Dublin Bay.

The Regatta which is now established as one of the biggest sailing events in Ireland will attract approximately 500 boats across 25 classes over the four days. The boats competing will be crewed by approximately 3,000 sailors largely from yacht clubs across Ireland with added participation from English, Welsh, Scottish, Isle of Man, French, Spanish and Danish yacht clubs.

Announcing the 2011 VDLR, Adam Winkelmann, Chairperson of the Organising Committee said “After the city marathons, the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta is the biggest participant sporting event in the country. The Regatta also continues to grow and build upon Ireland's international reputation as a quality sports and sailing destination and cements Ireland's reputation as a location for a major international regatta.”

“The Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta owes its prominence in European sailing events to a number of factors. One of the core reasons as to why it is successful in attracting so many entrants is that it is one of the least expensive sailing events in Europe, providing great value for money. We also have more than 300 volunteers who give their time and energy to ensure the regatta runs smoothly. In addition to delivering quality racing, the Regatta now prides itself in delivering a wonderful festive atmosphere across the Dun Laoghaire waterfront so overall the event promises an important boost to the local economy of Dun Laoghaire town in the midst of the summer tourist season and recession”

Volvo will continue as title sponsor for the Regatta but this year they will hold the title sponsorship in partnership with Spirit Motor Group, the premier dealership for Volvo in South Dublin.

In addition the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta enjoys support from the Dublin Port Company, Royal Marine Hotel, the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company, Helly Hansen, the Butlers Pantry and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

For those who prefer to keep their feet dry and enjoy the superb sailing action in Dublin Bay from afar, there will be a fantastic array of family orientated activities that have been set up on shore by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. There will be a farmers market, street entertainment, a carnival with face painters and balloon men, numerous ladies fashion events, live music from jazz to traditional Irish to marching bands, local area restaurant and
pub events, an evening of Irish culture, music, food and dancing and a scheduled RNLI Air Sea Rescue demonstration.

Volvo Regatta and Scottish Series Promotion....
Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta and Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series jointly promote reduced entry fees.

Great news if you are considering sailing in both the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta and the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series. You can get up to 50% off your entry fees.

The way this works is that the Clyde Cruising Club are offering a 25% rebate for boats from the 4 Dun Laoghaire Clubs (DMYC, NYC, RIYC, RStGYC) that enter the Brewin Dolphin Scottish series before the expiration of the early bird discount period which expires on April 22nd.

As a reciprocal arrangement the committee of the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta are offering a discount of 50% from the full entry fee to all boats that enter both regattas. To avail of this, boats must register for the early bird entry fee in the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta prior to 2 May 2011. Note the 50% discount will be applied to the full entry fee rate and not the early bird rate.

To avail of this arrangement for the Scottish Series contact the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series office for details, bdss@clyde.org 0044141 221 2774.

To avail of this arrangement for the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta visit the event website at www.dlregatta.org or email sec@dlregatta.org

The Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta will take place from July 7th–10th 2011.
The Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series will take place from 27 – 30 May 2011.

Note to competitors from Ireland going to the Scottish Series. The feeder race from Bangor to Tarbert has been re-instated. Those interested should contact the BDSS race office as above.

Troon and Largs Marinas are offering competitors berthing rate discounts around Scottish Series, see website for these and other offers. www.brewindolphinscottishseries.com


Note to competitors from Scotland going to the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta. The entry fee to the regatta includes free berthing for the duration of the event.

Volvo Car Ireland will sponsor the 2011 Dun Laoghaire event in association with Spirit Motor Group who are the premier dealership for Volvo in South Dublin.

The bi-ennial Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta will attract in the region of 500 boats and 3,000 participants along with families and friends to Dun Laoghaire in July this year. The sailors come mainly from Ireland and the UK from where we expect at least the same number of visitors as 2009. The event promises an important boost to the local economy of Dun Laoghaire town in the middle of the summer season. The regatta prides itself in delivering quality racing along with a wonderful festive atmosphere across the Dun Laoghaire waterfront.

Ends.

  Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series

Unique Footage of DL Regatta 1926 Recovered
Here's a unique glimpse of a post World War One Dun Laoghaire regatta in rare newsreel recently archived by British Pathe (below). The shots taken on August 2nd 1926 show a mixture of long shots of yachts sailing across Dublin bay. There's definitely lovely shots of Dublin Bay 21s enjoying a tight race, a brave gybe by a Dublin Bay 25 at the harbour mouth plus shots of some Howth 17s.

There's panning shots of in harbour rowing races and high angled shots of men diving off the side of a boat and into the harbour. The swimmers race the length of an area cordoned off by rowing boats with spectators watching from the boats. There is also a shot of women's swimming race and some diving too

  Click Here to View Footage

J109 Fleet Highlight Volvo Regatta for 2011
The J109 Fleet have announced the Volvo Regatta as their highlight event for 2011 for their ever expanding Irish fleet of 16 boats. The J/109s will have their own J/109 Class event with a separate Start. This will be run to full Class Rules & will be the official J/109 Irish Nationals.

It is hoped to attract the top boats from around the country including Jellybaby from Cork & Justus from Kinsale, as well as Joie de Vie from Galway to battle it out with local boats such as Jalapeno, Storm, and Something Else. Two years ago Tigh Soluis, who made the trip from Scotland, and Jukebox from North Wales both provided formidable opposition and hopefully they will be able to make the trip once again this year …… they will make sure the Irish don’t have it all their own way.

Addition of Two-Handed Class (IRC)
The Regatta Organising Committee have confirmed the addition of a Two-Handed class (IRC) for the 2011 Regatta.

The Two handed IRC racing will make its debut in July's Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta. Up to six boats have expressed interest in the new intiative and the organisers say the class will race over a mix of coastal and windward leeward courses. It's an exciting development for the regatta that is already receiving a flow of entries 11 weeks ahead of the entry deadline.

Double handed Class captain Olivier Prouveur of the National YC says boats that have expressed an interest so far are the regular ISORA participant Mojito from the UK, Team Windmill (J109), JBellino (J-122), Dinah (Barry Hurley's modified JOD 35 with which he won his class in the OSTAR 2009) and Oystercatcher (the winner of 2-handed class in the Round Ireland race).

Other boats are also likely now that the regatta has confirmed the class start, according to Prouveur.

The class will race under IRC only, on a mixture of Coastal and W/L courses over the 4 days. They shall have an IRC TCC rating of .850 or greater. Entries must satisfy the committee that they have suitable and adequate experience and that their yacht is appropriately organised for two-handed sailing.

Online Entry is now open for this new class.

Entries Start to Roll in....
July's Volvo Dun Laoghaire regatta has taken in over 45 entries six months ahead of the first race. It's an encouraging figure that's on a par with the 2009 VDLR, the biggest regatta in Irish sailing that year.

The positive early response is an indication, says organiser Adam Winkelmann, that the 2011 fleet, should be a bumper one too when it sets sail on July 7th for the four day event. The emphasis is again on providing quality racing over different courses each day but organisers are also aiming to live up up to the regatta's pre-event billing as a 'Mega Party'.

So far entries received are spread across nine separate classes but it's a visiting Wayfarer fleet with eight boats named already that is setting the pace. The organisers are expecting up to 50 of the two man classic design for the class National Championships that's being staged as part of the regatta. Three boats are entered in the non spinnaker class and another three in the Squib keelboat. Two entries have been received in both IRC 2 and 3.

It's still too early for a table of bands to be decided but the organisers intend to give some indication of handicap break-ups as the entries build. The IRC bands will be in line with those laid down by the Irish Cruiser Racing Association.

Despite the fact the regatta's strength since 2007 is that it draws on the capital's own fleet of 400 boats it is in fact visitors from elsewhere on the east coast that are first in. East Down Yacht Club, for example, has four entries. But locals are signing up too. Single entries have been received in the Mermaid, Beneteau 31.7, Dragon and IRC Zero classes.

Course areas are likely to stay the same according to principal Race Officer Con Murphy of the National YC.
The organisers are on the look out for volunteers to assist in the run up to and during the country's biggest sailing event. In 2009 over 300 helped to make it the biggest participant sport event in the country after the city marathon, with over 3,500 sailors afloat. More details from Ciara in the event office.

From: www.afloat.ie
2 February 2011

2009 - Really Dun Laoghaire Regatta
Following Saturday's gale-force winds and rain, Sunday provided a brighter finale to the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatt, when poor conditions gave way to sunshine and glorious weather on Dubln Bay.

On the seas, the most impressive set of results came from National Yacht Club's David Gorman, when he took the Flying Fifteen title and the overall one-design dinghy trophy with his string of six consecutive victories, not dropping a single race all weekend. The fireball title was one of many that went to visitors from overseas. Andy Pearce and crew Adam Broughton were the first of a pair of English entries heading the 25-boat fleet. "It's been great racing here", said Pearce, "fantastic conditions, and nice to get 25 Fireballs out". Another sailor to succeed under the flag of one of the host club's was RSGYC's Flor O'Driscoll in his J24 Hard on Port. The boat took four race wins in the regatta to take the overall IRC title, leading O'Driscoll to say of the competition: "This has been an extremely well run regatta and I congratulate all of the clubs on a tremendous effort".

The hughely successful event closed with 500 boats from each of the fleets forming a supporter flotilla for the returning Green Dragon, Ireland's entry in the Volvo Ocean Race. Skipper Ian Walker, along with Justin Slattery and James Carroll were welcomed ashore by thousands of well-wishers gathered on Dun Laoghaire Pier. "It's just fabulous to see Dublin like this," said Slattery, all the boats out and beautiful weather in Dublin bay with nearly 500 boats out there - what a spectacular way to come into the bay".

Full Results from 2009 may be seen on the toolbar above.

2009 - Day 3 11th July
Weather cut into proceedings from both ends at the Volvo Dun Laoghaire regatta today (SATURDAY), with fog delaying the start and strong breeze, gusting to over 28 knots, bringing racing to a premature end.

Most courses had two races scheduled but just one race was managed on most before wind and deteriorating visibility cancelled racing. The curtailment did not make racing any less intense, with just seconds separating the top boats in IRC0. Maurice 'Prof' O'Connell, tactician on board Tiamat, said that it was nearly impossible to split the top boats on corrected time. "It was very close, we could have come first or fourth, we just don't know. It was that close." In the end, Tiamat did take fourth slot, with Plymouth-based Argie Bargie taking the gun. "Conditions were very good," said skipper Alan Hogg. "It was a steady 155 degrees wind direction, very steady breeze in the high teens into the high twenties, very fair race conditions." The win puts Argie Bargie on level first place with Howth boat Impetuous. "Yes, it's going very well, it's just pity we didn't get a second race today," said Hogg.

With discards now coming into play, some class winners have already been decided. In IRC1 and IRC2, organisers can begin engraving the trophies, and both will go to Irish boats. Class One winner Paul O'Higgins spent the day trying to keep his closest challenger, English IRC Champion Waterjet, behind him to ensure the win. "I think we finished a place ahead of her on the water," said O'Higgins, "and I hope that finishes up the series from our point of view.
"The breeze grew throughout the race, and we probably had too much sail on the second beat, we were flying a number two and we probably should have had a number three, and that meant that we were beaten out of first place by an Elan 38 from England, but we hope we did enough to get through today." In IRC2, Kinetic have built up a cushion of seven points and can enjoy tomorrow safe in the knowledge that their title is secure, with discards now in play.
Kinetic and Rockabill are both now contenders for the overall regatta trophy, along with Kiwi sailor Ben Duncan in the Laser SB3 class, all of whom have been supremely consistent in big fleets. Flying Fifteen leader Dave Gorman also kept up his streak of wins, with a gun in every race so far. In the Interreg trophy, an Ireland v Wales team competition sailed in J80s, it was the visitors that got the upper hand today, with spinnaker issues putting one of the top Irish boats out of the running and allowed Wales take the lead. "We were a little frustrated, we didn't manage to get the spinnaker up at all, so Wales got the upper hand in the race today. Andrew [Fowler] led the whole way round and unfortunately had a problem at the leeward mark," said Irish skipper Laura Dillon. The Irish woes let Welshman Callum Edge through the gap into first. Andrew let us in, and after following him around for the last couple of days, it was the first mistake he has made, so it was nice to capitalise on it for once, and Wales managed to get a win," said Edge. Wales go into the final, double-points day, with a four-point lead, but are already looking ahead to the return event, says Edge. "In Wales, we'd really like to try to reciprocate this. It would be great to have the event maybe in Holyhead or Abersoch with the local clubs there."

Today sees the final races but also the homecoming celebrations of the Green Dragon, Ireland's Volvo Ocean entry, which comes into Dun Laoghaire after finishing fifth in the round-the-world marathon.

2009 - The Halfway Stage
As the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta nears the half way stage, visiting boats are coming to fore in several classes, leaving the home crowd flat-footed.

Despite a bland forecast, competitors were blessed with ten knots of wind, which filled in from the South East and dropped off during the day.

The biggest one-design fleet, the SB3s, is currently dominated by a New Zealand skipper, Ben Duncan, who was given a scare in the final race yesterday (FRIDAY) but mounted an impressive comeback to finish third and retain the overall lead.

Duncan was pushed close to one of the leeward marks by a strong ebb tide, causing him to hit the mark and take a costly penalty turn.

Struggling with reduced options in the light airs, Duncan was forced out the right-hand side of the course, while the left had paid all day.

"Ben had come across from the left along with a few others," said John Sheehy, sailing Tiger Lite.
"I think he just got squeezed in with Sean Craig, and then on the last beat, the leaders were looking very good on the left and then the breeze shut off."

"The forecast was for it to veer and that's what happened, and the guys who hit the right hard, who probably looked awful, suddenly looked very good close to the finish."

"We went from first to eighth. Brian Reilly was the only guy who came out of the left, and he won the race."
Reilly sits in third overall, with clubmate Sean Craig in second.

Visitors dominate IRC0 as well, with Richard Filder’s Corby 37, Impetuous, winning the first race of the day and coming third later in the day to top their class.

Tactician on Impetuous is Hamish MacKay, a Scottish Commodore’s Cup sailor, who praised the organisers for making the most of the conditions. “The race officer did a great job today,” he said.

“He was patient enough to let the breeze settle in and gave us a short course for the second race before it shut down.

"It is a competitive class and if we get big breeze tomorrow, we may struggle against the bigger heavier boats, so it still all to play for.” In second place is Plymouth-based Argie Bargie, helmed by Alan Hogg, which ended the day with a win to stay ahead of top local boat, Tim Costello’s Tiamat.

In IRC2, John Murphy’s Corby 26, Kinetic, is looking like a good bet for the overall title. Kinetic has three straight bullets. The Howth skipper is delighted with their performance:

“We work hard on our boat preparation and our sailing and there is good hardware, good sailors, good racing, and great Craic in IRC Class Two.”

It's neck and neck in the J80 Interreg Championship, a team competition which pitches four Irish boats against four Welsh boats. The Irish are dominating the top end of the fleet, with the top two slots, but overall, things are much closer, with both teams evenly matched.

"It's pretty equal because Ireland are probably first and second of the eight boats, but our other boats are in the bottom two, said Irish sailor Nick Smyth.

"So there's a need to ensure that our weaker boats improve and aren't in the back few."

"It's really essential for the first two boats to try and ensure the other two Irish boats get away on the start at least, and if we can get them into the lead at the windward mark we're in with a shot."

To ramp up the intensity, races toward the end of the weekend are weighted in importance, with everything resting on Sunday's performances.

"Given the points are increasing, on Sunday with the double points, the two races are going to be the equivalent of four races," said Smyth, cleary revelling in the nip-and-tuck racing, which rewards innovative techniques in spinnaker handling. "At one point we were doing six gybes in quick succession."

"If you can put the [spinnaker] pole down on the deck, it really gives you options, particularly in those last ten boatlenghts when you don't know what mark you're going to be going to. "

Racing continues today (SATURDAY), with gale warnings in effect on Irish waters, in stark contrast to the light and patchy conditions so far.

2009 Regatta Gets Underway
A vast armada of 450 boats from France, Spain, the British Isles and sailing clubs all over Ireland will converge on Dun Laoghaire today, 9th July, for the start of Ireland’s largest regatta, the four-day 2009 Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta (VDLR).

Besides having an exciting race schedule, the VDLR also includes a weekend of free, fun activities which will appeal to the whole family. A programme of all the waterfront events is available on www.dlregatta.org.

The action packed schedule of activities begins tomorrow and will continue throughout the weekend with carousels and fun fairs, street entertainment, comedic circus acts, children’s theatre, farmer’s markets, vintage car rallies, art exhibitions, live bands, and much more. The festivities will conclude with the official homecoming of Green Dragon, Ireland’s entry in the Volvo Ocean Race. The VDLR and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council will host the homecoming festivities on the East Pier bandstand from 12 noon on Sunday, 12th July 2009. Thousands of visitors are expected to visit Dublin’s favourite seaside town over the weekend to take part in the excitement.

The VDLR is the latest sailing event to ‘rock’ Ireland this summer. The marine leisure industry is worth an estimated €700 million each year, and €430 million of this comes from marine leisure tourism. The VDLR is expected to raise this figure further, giving rise to Ireland’s reputation abroad as a top-class sailing destination while delivering a tourism benefit and providing a great boost for local businesses.

Volvo Ireland Managing Director, David Baddeley, said “Volvo is delighted to be following the success of the Ocean Race with another key sailing event. The Ocean Race provided a great opportunity for people to watch sailing at its best. Now, the VDLR is giving people a chance not only just to watch but to get involved and enjoy every minute of the fun.”

Following the outstanding success of the Galway stopover for the Volvo Ocean Race, Phil Smith, Chairman of the VDLR Organising Committee, said, “This is more than a sailing event, it is guaranteed fun and enjoyment for the many thousands that we are expecting to attend. Volvo’s sponsorship has added prestige and an international feeling to the event, especially after the recent public interest in the Volvo Ocean Race. We are looking forward to a very exciting weekend.”

Since launched in 2005, the VDLR has grown in significance each year. The Regatta is now one of Ireland’s biggest participant sports events after the city marathons. More than 3,000 sailors from Ireland and 13 other nations will compete across 21 classes in a fleet of over 450 boats. Over the course of four days, more than 250 races will take place. The regatta has nearly four times the entry of any other Irish regatta this year. However, it is not just an event for experienced sailors- this year the VDLR wants to help people who have never sailed before to get out on the water and enjoy one of Dublin’s best amenities- the bay. The public can take part in the regatta and may even win some races as they are taught to sail by experienced instructors. Further details are available on www.dlregatta.org.

The VDLR will host a Ladies Luncheon and Best Dressed Lady Competition, sponsored by Kildare Village Outlet Shopping, at the Royal St. George Yacht Club and The National Yacht Club, with prizes donated by the Butler’s Pantry. Lynn McNally, Organiser of the Ladies Lunch said, "Ladies, bring some glamour to the shores, gather your glad rags, handbags and some friends together for a fun and relaxing lunch in two of Dun Laoghaire's premier yacht clubs." Booking through the Royal St. George and the National Yacht Clubs is essential for this popular event.

For more information on the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta, go to www.dlregatta.org.
-ENDS-

Welsh & Irish Teams Join Battle...
Irish & Welsh teams join batte in the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta.

Thanks to sponsorship by the Irish-sea.org body four Welsh and four Irish crews will sail the fleet of eight ISA Sailfleet J80s in a new event during the regatta.
Welsh teams are expected from the Royal Dee Yacht Club (2), Pwllheli Sailing Club and the South Caernarvon Yacht Club. While Ireland will be represented by teams from Howth Yacht Club, Lough Derg Yacht Club, The National Yacht Club and The Royal St George Yacht Club.

Top class helms and crews are expected. The Welsh charge will be led by Callum Edge, Paul Kearns, Owen Matthews and Wil Partington. The Irish will be lead by Laura Dillon, Andrew Fowler, Alistair Kissane and Geoff O'Donoghue.

The competition will consist of a scheduled round of 10 races. Weighted scoring, increasing day by day, will ensure that the battle for the cup will reach a climax on the final day. The J80s will sail on the same courses as the SB3s, with a separate start.

The Irish-sea.org marine leisure network links the seaboard regions of Wales and Ireland to promote the growth of the marine leisure industry on both sides of the Irish Sea and to develop the Ireland Wales coastal zone into a centre of excellence for all types of water sports. It forms an initiative under the EU Interreg IVA Programme and is a partnership between the Irish Marine Federation, North Wales Watersports and the South Wales Marine Leisure Federation.

Howth Hits 111
The Howth 17 footers are 111 years old this year, and the oldest one-design keelboat class in the world continues to race from its original home port. One of the nine boats that Dublin Bay Sailing Club commissioned in the early part of the 20th century celebrates its 100th year this year – Oona, originally launched as Nautilus, will return to Dun Laoghaire in July to take part in the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta. Oona’s current owner, Peter Courtney, will also be defending his 2007 title and will be a tough opponent in this fiercely competitive class. The Howth 17s will be 18 in number for the first time in their long history when a new boat is launched in May to the same design drawn by Walter Herbert Boyd in 1897.

Wags Lead the Way in Dubln Bay
With over 100 years of history behind them the Wags are backs as a key part of the heritage section in VDLR 2009 . Although the Water Wag Club was founded in Shankill in 1887 it prospered in Dun Laoghaire as a club for Corinthian sailors racing in one-design ‘double ended’ boats. That was, of course, until it was realised that the rules governing the design of the boats were not strict enough, resulting in some boats employing a standing lug rig in preference to the balanced lug. Some boats built in Scotland had ten planks per side instead of the 11 used by all the Irish boats, and boats were built with cedar planking and using silk sailcloth in the mainsail which cost £45 to build compared with the original boats which cost £13.

In 1898 the Club Members agreed to make the drawings and specifications more precise, and to revise the design with a more affordable boat with a transom stern (costing £14 and 10 shillings) better suited to being kept on a mooring within Kingstown Harbour (the earlier design was selected as being appropriate to a beach-launched boat by two men on the stone beach at Corbawn Lane).

The oldest boat in the Water Wag Fleet is Erica, built by Hollowey & Son in Dublin Docks in 1896. This boat is the last of the original ‘double ender’ design and is now retained for display use only, as she has no boats to race against.

Coquette, Wag no 17, is 100 years old this year and her centenary will be celebrated with a race in Dun Laoghaire last night for the Coquette cup. The class held a BBQa nd birthday cake in the RIYC after racing. Coquette is sailed by Seymour Cresswell whose mother, Germaine, and father (also Seymour Cresswell) campaigned her successfully in Dublin Bay for many years.

The class are also holding a Wags day on Sunday 28th June which will include an invitation race to people who don't usually sail wags. There are a number of wags for sale and the class would much rather have them out racing rather than sitting in garages awaiting buyers.

IDRA Shines On
There are 14 IDRAs entered in this years VDLR. First raced in 1947 from Dun Laoghaire, the IDRA 14, now equipped with a trapeze and spinnaker, remains one of the most popular two-person adult dinghy classes racing in Dublin Bay, with fleets currently based at Dun Laoghaire (DMYC and RStGYC), Clontarf and Sutton. Twenty-four boats (approximately three quarters of the active fleet) competed in the last regatta, and competition will be intense again this year, with former and present national champions Alan Carr, Alan Henry and Pat O’Neill all expected to take part. The class will also take its usual keen interest in social events during the regatta.

Lyver Cup Trophy Race
Organised jointly by the Royal Dee YC & Liverpool YC this feeder race to the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta should not be missed if you are wishing to clock up your miles in advance of the Fastnet race. It is an ideal time for any sailors to transport their boats from the Royal Dee Yacht Club, which holds its annual regatta a week before the race, to Dun Laoghaire. The Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta starts less than a week later on Thursday 9th July.

For Further Info please contact:
Peter Summerfield T: +44 (0)151 428 1120 E: p.summerfield@btconnect.com
  For Notice of Race & Entry Form Click Here

Attention all Welsh Sailors
To all Welsh sailors:

One of the key objectives of the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta committee has been to expand the overseas participation in the biennial Regatta with special emphasis on the Irish Sea nations and we have just secured an exciting sponsorship package.

The Irish Sea Inter-Reg Project is offering attractive financial support to Welsh sailors coming to Dun Laoghaire this July. A brief flier is attached which highlights:

Sponsorship of full ferry costs for boats trailing to the Regatta
or
Sponsorship of the full entry fee for Welsh boats already entered that introduce or encourage another Welsh boat to enter the Regatta.

Launch of the team competition between Wales and Ireland in eight J80’s provided by the Irish Sailing Association and to be raced as part of the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta. The competition will comprise four days of fleet racing with each nation providing four four-man crews to race for the Welsh Irish Cup.

We hope you will encourage some of your countrymen to come and join what will be a lively four days on and off the water.

Please contact the Regatta Secretary for further details on sponsorship package: Tel: +353 87 2235148


Please do contact us if you require any further information on how to avail of this sponsorship.


  Welsh Sponsorship Package
  CLICK HERE TO ENTER ONLINE

'Irish Open' for Non-Spinnaker Sailors
All IRC entries will compete for the inaugural 'Irish Open Championship Perpetual Trophy' . This Championship is open to all visiting and local entries in the White Class class with an IRC non-spinnaker handicap rating.

There will be great kudos in being the first winner of the coveted ISORA trophy for the best non-spinnaker boat.

Please see Racing Section for Amendment to NOR

  Click Here to Enter Online Now

The Growth of the J109
The 2009 VOLVO Dun Laoghaire Regatta 9-12th July will see the second appearance of the up and coming J109 Class.

With 10 boats now in Dublin Bay and a further 5 at least spread around the Irish coastline, the boat is proving to be the ideal boat of its size both for racing and if one has the time, for cruising.

With its fantastic upwind performance even in light airs, and the 1,183 sq.ft. Asymmetric providing fast off the wind sailing, as many pundits have said, “it ticks all the boxes”.

The VOLVO Dun Laoghaire Regatta hopes to attract a one design fleet of 20+ J109’s with many boats crossing the pond from the UK to join the Irish fleet.