TWO Cork Harbour sailing have combined their efforts to enable the Laser Class National Dinghy Sailing Championships go ahead next week.

This was scheduled as one of the flagship events of the Tricentenary celebrations at the Royal Cork Yacht Club in Cork Harbour.

However, the government’s postponement of Phase 4 of easing pandemic restrictions created problems for the club.

Due to the size of the Class and the amount of participant interest, the RCYC would not be able to locate all sailors at Crosshaven in the format of three fleets under pandemic regulations.

So Monkstown Bay Sailing Club has taken over the running of one of the Laser fleets as a completely separate event from the other two.

This has been made possible through the support of the Port of Cork Company and its new leisure boat facility at Paddy’s Point in Ringaskiddy.

“In order to ensure the safety of the event and participants, the AIB-sponsored National Championships will be split into two events. 

"Radials and Standard Laser Classes will be based in Crosshaven, the 4.7s will be at Paddy’s Point where the new launching slip gives access to the Lower Harbour,” the Laser Class Association said. 

The Championships will start on Thursday. It will be the first time for a National Championships to be sailed out of Ringaskiddy. 

The Paddy’s Point location, developed by the port company, is outside the village on the causeway linking the mainland to Rocky and Haulbowline Islands. It gives access to the Lower Harbour.

The 4.7 Nationals will be run by MBSC with separate documentation, organising committee and separate race course from the other two fleets. 

This enables the Nationals to comply with government participant limits.

“The Royal Cork are very appreciative of the support MBSC has shown in taking this on at the last minute and of the support from the Port of Cork through use of their facilities,” said RCYC Organiser Alex Barry.

The Laser dinghy is popular with younger sailors and being able to stage the Championships in Cork Harbour is a major boost for this sector, particularly because the Youth National Championships scheduled for Howth Yacht Club in Dublin had to be cancelled last week.

The Dublin Club base could not cope with numbers involved. 

This was a big blow to young sailors. The Cork Harbour clubs have shown what can be done by re-planning and co-operation.