The Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta 2009 9-12 July 2009
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THE VOLVO DUN LAOGHAIRE REGATTA 2009 9-12 JULY 2009 www.dlregatta.org VOLVO DUN LAOGHAIRE REGATTA 2009 REGATTA DUN LAOGHAIRE VOLVO CO NT EN TS VOLVO DUN LAOGHAIRE REGATTA 2009 03 FOREWORDS 04 WELCOME 06 A SAILOR’S TOWN DUN LAOGHAIRE GUIDE 16 WHAT’S ON WATERFRONT GUIDE 18 CAPITAL CITY RACE PREVIEW 28 RUNNERS & RIDERS OFFICIAL PROGRAMME WE LIST THE COMPETITION Photography by Robbie Reynolds, Gareth Craig, Tim Wright, Peter Barrow, Bob Bateman, David Branigan and David O’Brien DESIGNED & PRODUCED BY IMPP LTD. TEL: 01 284 6161 DESIGNED & PRODUCED BY IMPP LTD. 1 TITLE SPONSOR VOLVO DUN LAOGHAIRE REGATTA 2009 REGATTA DUN LAOGHAIRE VOLVO ASSOCIATE SPONSORS PREMIUM SPONSORS SUPPORTERS OFFICIAL PROGRAMME 2 WISHING COMPETITORS RECOGNISING THE 2009 REGATTA DUN LAOGHAIRE VOLVO FAIR WINDS IMPORTANCE OF SAILING 2009 is a very signifi cant year I am delighted to welcome you all to this year’s for sailing in Ireland, well and Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta. This event, now truly placing the country on the in its third year, once again brings together international sailing map. In late May competitive sailing, entertainment and Irish the seven surviving teams competing hospitality. Over 3,000 competitors and 450 boats in the 2008/ 2009 Volvo Ocean Race from domestic shores and overseas will take part. arrived in Galway after travelling This Regatta follows closely on the heels of the more than 30,000 miles around the recent very successful staging of a Stopover of the world. From the moment the boats entered Galway Bay Volvo Ocean Race in Galway. It provides an excellent opportunity in the early hours of Sunday 24th May, until a fortnight to continue to showcase the quality of Ireland’s sailing product. later when, with a 25 knot wind behind them they sped from the Bay, both the welcome and the spectacle were As an island, we are blessed with excellent year-round natural truly amazing. Even the weather played its part. Over sailing conditions, over 5,600 km of beautiful scenic coastline and two weeks more than 400,000 people came to Galway hundreds of lakes and rivers, making Ireland an ideal location for to be part of the Galway Volvo Ocean Race festival. sailing and water sports of all types. Fáilte Ireland, the National The crew of the Green Dragon, the aptly named Irish/ Tourism Development Authority, recognises the importance of Chinese entry, were welcomed as returning heroes, a sailing to our tourism industry and has identifi ed water sports reception they richly deserved. in general as a key tourism area for Ireland with considerable potential for growth. This Regatta provides a window onto this However, the Volvo Ocean Race is for most a spectator attractive tourism product. activity and while the numbers of spectators in Galway was, well, spectacular, sailing is primarily not This year’s racing will involve both professional and amateur a spectator activity, but one for all to be involved in. sailors racing in boats that cost as little as €3,000 to as much From kids sailing Optimists, through the camaraderie as €1 million for the ‘zero’ class. The Regatta will include a new of cruising to the competition of club racing, many simplifi ed course format, including eight well designed race thousands of people throughout Ireland are involved courses from Dun Laoghaire to Killiney Bay to Howth. Race in sailing and that number is growing. To be able to committee organisers have also provided greater fl exibility for the support an activity in which so many of our customers Regatta race offi cers who, along with a small army of volunteers, are involved is the reason why I am delighted that held extensive practices on the water over the winter period to Volvo Car Ireland is the title sponsor for the 2009 Volvo design and test the race courses. Those participating will also have Dun Laoghaire Regatta. access to a Five Gold Star 850-berth Marina in Dun Laoghaire. A sailing Regatta should be about safe excitement and I am very happy to see that the organisers are also catering for that is exactly what we seek to deliver with our cars. Be those who prefer to keep their feet dry. There are a number of it the exciting style of the Volvo C70 Retractable hard waterfront activities scheduled including a farmers market, street top convertible, or the opportunities for adventure with entertainment including a carnival with face painters and balloon the brand new All Wheel Drive XC60; from the sheer men, numerous ladies fashion events, a vintage car rally, live comfort and style of the Volvo S80 to the class leading music from jazz to traditional Irish to marching bands, local area environmental performance of the new DRIVe range restaurant and pub events, an evening of Irish culture, music, food of cars, they’re all exciting in their different ways, all and dancing. feature Volvo’s world-renowned safety. I hope that you will take the opportunity to take a look at the Volvo We in Fáilte Ireland are supporting this event through our range of cars that will be on display at the Plaza during International Sports Tourism Initiative and welcome the the Regatta. opportunity to showcase Ireland’s top class sailing facilities on a world stage. The International Sports Tourism Initiative targets and The 2007 Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta was a huge sponsors major sporting events which enjoy a high-profi le position success, a testament to the enthusiasm and efforts in their own sporting calendar and which also offer an opportunity of all the competitors, volunteers, organisers and to present Ireland as a major sports tourist destination. Since its sponsors, and I am certain that the 2009 event will be inception in 2000, some 155 international sporting events have even more successful. The word ‘enthusiasm’ comes been successfully staged here in Ireland. from Greek and means ‘to be inspired’ and it has been the enthusiasm of all involved in making the Regatta The Regatta generates huge tourism dividends for Dun Laoghaire happen that inspired my colleagues and myself to and Dublin’s East Coast region and I would like to commend ensure Volvo Car Ireland should be the title sponsor the four associated clubs, the Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht back in 2007 and to continue that involvement again Club, National Yacht Club, Royal Irish Yacht Club and Royal St. this year. George Yacht Club for their management and promotion of the event. I would also like to take the opportunity to welcome the OFFICIAL PROGRAMME It is only left for me to wish all competitors, volunteers participants, offi cials, and supporters from home and abroad to and organisers an exciting, safe and memorable few this wonderful event and hope you enjoy both challenging and days sailing. rewarding sailing as well as a festival atmosphere amongst the welcoming community of Dun Laoghaire. David Baddeley Managing Director Shaun Quinn Volvo Car Ireland Limited Failte Ireland 3 WELCOME TO VOLVO DUN LAOGHAIRE REGATTA 2009 VOLVO DUN LAOGHAIRE REGATTA 2009 REGATTA DUN LAOGHAIRE VOLVO ROYAL IRISH YC TOP BANDS! TOWN HALL BIG FIRST NIGHT EVENT NATIONAL YC ROYAL ST. GEORGE YC SERVED 6000 PINTS PARTYING HERE IN 4 DAYS IN 2007 SINCE 1843 BUSES & TRAINS TO DUBLIN FERRY TO HOLYHEAD ONLY 100 MINUTES ROYAL MARINE HOTEL LOVELY SPOT, GREAT Regatta RATES 09-12 JULY www.dlRegatta.org OFFICIAL PROGRAMME 4 VOLVO DUN LAOGHAIRE REGATTA 2009 REGATTA DUN LAOGHAIRE VOLVO I welcome you all to Dun Laoghaire for our WELCOME TO now well-established biennial ‘VDLR’. I trust that our months VOLVO DUN LAOGHAIRE of preparation, both on the water and on REGATTA 2009 land, will live up to your expectations. Brian Craig and his racing committee have spent long hours redesigning the sailing courses, and putting new courses into Killiney Bay and Howth Peninsula. They have given the Race Offi cers the option of having fi xed mark DUN LAOGHAIRE navigational courses or windward leeward courses. MOTOR YC GREAT CRAIC! The fl eets will move around different courses each day and all these changes should make for better and more enjoyable sailing. On land the four waterside Clubs: Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club, Royal Irish Yacht Club, Royal St. George Yacht Club, and National Yacht Club; have been putting together an exciting and entertaining programme covering the four days of the Regatta. The popular Harbour Hopper Bus will be once again in operation and please do use it to visit all of the Clubs. Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and the TOP CLASS Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company have created an BERTHING excellent programme of street events which, in a real way, links the town to the Regatta in a positive fashion. The wonderful variety of bars and restaurants in the town are planning an truly exceptional welcome for all the sailors and their friends. A particular welcome to all of you who have come to 5 GOLD the Regatta from outside the Harbour. Nearly one- ANCHOR hundred-and-fi fty boats – an impressive fi gure – have MARINA travelled a considerable distance to be with us. We all want you to join in the fun and have a most enjoyable stay in Dun Laoghaire. Your participation adds greatly to the event. Our army of 300 volunteers are working hard to RACE AREA ensure that everything runs as smoothly as possible. JUST A 5 They are good people and without them there would MINUTE SAIL be no Regatta. Their positive attitude makes a huge contribution to the overall success of the event. Volunteerism is alive and well in Dun Laoghaire. A very special mention must be made of Volvo Car Ireland and all our sponsors for their wonderful support and the new ideas they bring to the Regatta.