A fleet of 420 dinghies will take to north Galway Bay off An Spidéal for the Connacht sailing championships this weekend (June 24/25 ).
The 420 dinghy is an open double-handed class, and many of the sailors are teenagers who then progress in other classes and up to Olympic level of competition.
Hosting the two-day event is Cumann Seoltóireachta An Spidéal(CSS ), the local sailing club.
Irish 420 Association president Martina Whyte says the class is “delighted to be invited back to An Spidéal, one of the oldest 420 specialist sailing clubs in the country and following in the tradition of 420s along the west coast of Ireland”.
“Our last visit was in 2017, and our sailors are delighted to be returning to the west coast,” Whyte says.
The event “provides a unique opportunity for our young sailors to experience the Atlantic waves, and of course the famous post sailing BBQ”.
She says the 420 class “teaches sailors how to sail in an environment of partnership which is a significant element in their development as a sailor (and as a person )”.
In conjunction with the racing at An Spidéal, Gordon Davies will give a talk on sailing etiquette, rules of racing, and how to behave in the protest room.
The local fleet of 420s will be out in force, and will be augmented by a travelling fleet from the other Connacht clubs, Galway Bay Sailing and Galway City Sailing clubs, and Lough Ree Yacht Club.
Boats from Malahide Yacht Club and Waterford Harbour Sailing Club have also entered, Whyte says, so the event will truly be a national affair led by race officer Stephen O’Gorman.
CSS commodore Eoin Ó Conghaíle says the club is "excited to host the 420 Connacht Championships, kicking off just after 11am on Saturday June 24”.
“It should be a wonderful spectacle on the waters off An Spidéal pier, and all are welcome to come and watch and support the sailors."
