Phenomenal Response To First Ever Laser SB3 Worlds

The event was formally launched at the National Yacht Club last night by the Minister of Education, Ms Mary Hanafin TD, before a large audience of guests including representatives from Dun Laoghaire business, local yacht club commodores and members and SB3 class representatives and sailors.

The SB3 (Sport Boat, 3 persons) is the fastest growing fleet of keel boats in the world and the World Championship promises to be one of the most exciting sailing events ever held. NYC Commodore Con Murphy spoke at the launch last night about the event, its significance and its status in international sailing.

“The SB3 is an out and out racing boat which has had explosive growth since the first models were made in 2000. There are now 400 boats worldwide, raced by many national champions and Olympic sailors. This is the hottest boat in international racing and we are delighted to be the first country and club to host their world championships. We are amazed at how quickly the entry list is being filled this far out of the event. We already have entries from Australia, New Zealand, USA, South Africa, France, Netherlands – not to mention big Irish and UK fleets. This event will be the biggest ever single make keelboat championship to be held in Ireland – and I believe it will be a great platform for us to show just how good a venue Dublin Bay is for big world class events. I want to acknowledge, at this time, the great support of the Irish Sports Council. We hope at a later date to announce our commercial sponsorship line up – and our plan is that if funds allow we will get a TV film made for broadcast around the world. I know we will have sensational racing to show.”