The inaugural SB3 Irish National championships on Dublin Bay over the weekend, hosted by the National Yacht Club. They were a huge success for this new class with a huge entry of 56 boats from around Ireland and 3 who travelled from the UK. 6 races were sailed, 5 of them in a force 3-4 westerly on the Friday and Saturday with a final race on Sunday, run in a blustery 25 -30 kts SW'ly. Nicholas O Leary of the RCYC was the winning helm, also the recent winner of the 1720 European Championship also hosted by the National Y.C.
Close behind him was Tom Fitzpatrick followed by Des Faherty both from Howth Y.C. Current Class European champion, Geoff Carveth with Irish Olympic campaigners Prof O Connell and Tim Goodbody crewing for him, finished in 4th place. Local sailor Sean Craig placed 5th.
Full Results can be found here or through the event page on www.nyc.ie This first national championship for this new class in Ireland underlined the huge success the Laser SB3 is in Ireland and has been an excellent warm up for the 2008 European Championships which will also be hosted by the National Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire from 22 - 28th Sept 08.
17th September 2007
It's barely even a year since the first Laser SB3 try-sail days were mounted around the country, yet the class has put many longer established keelboats to shame with a turn out of nearly 60 at their national championships. Blustery conditions and close competiton over the long courses made for a very testing regatta all round, and certainly showcased these boats at their high-octane best. For more information visit fotosail.com
13th September 2007:
SB3 Ireland and the National Yacht Club will be hosting the first SB3 National Championships from the 14th-16th September 2007. The event is expecting 55 boats and some excellent sailing throughout the fleet in eight championship races. There is an Open Perpetual Trophy, an Irish Perpetual Trophy and €3,000 worth of Helly Hansen sponsored clothing prizes for the Platinum, Gold and Silver fleets and some random virtues to be decided at short notice by the committee. Lots to play for and plenty of fun to be had too - SB3 Ireland will host a party and there’ll be plenty of eating and drinking besides.
For more information/results; http://homepage.eircom.net/~nycresults06/SB3%20Nationals%202007.htm
For photos; www.fotosail.com/07sb3nationals
