SAILING Minister Hanafin Calls on Dun Laoghaire to Showcase Ireland Through the Hosting of the Youth World Sailing Championships 2012

Ireland will play host to the ISAF Youth World Sailing Championships in Dun Laoghaire from 12-21 July 2012. 300 sailors from 60 nations accompanied by 50 national coaches will compete in Dun Laoghaire for 7 days of competitive racing in Dublin Bay.

At a briefing session last night in Dun Laoghaire, Minister for Family And Social Affairs Mary Hanafin TD stated that 'The hosting of the ISAF Youth Worlds not only gives Dun Laoghaire and the sport of sailing a boost. It also gives Ireland an opportunity to showcase itself as a tourist destination to a global audience. Businesses, the sailing community and the people of Dun Laoghaire should pull together to make this event a huge success'

The Youth World Sailing Championships are viewed as one of the most important events after the Olympic Games. The majority of sailors who compete in the Olympics have previously competed in the Youth Worlds and many of the greatest stars in the sailing world such as Ben Ainslie and Russell Coutts came to attention at the Youth Worlds.

The hosting of this event will give impetus to youth watersports programmes nationwide. Racing will be in four different dinghy classes (Lasers, 420's, 29ers and multihulls) and in addition windsurfing is also included in the championships. With four years to prepare youths, who will be under 19 years in 2012, will have time to prepare and train to participate in qualification programmes in the run up to the event.

'The hosting of this event offers sailing the opportunity to harness youth potential in the country and help develop a racing & coaching programme that will lead to success in 2012 which then becomes a stepping stone to the Olympics in future years.' said Irish Sports Council CEO, John Treacy at last night's event.

The granting of this prestigious sailing event to Ireland is a major boost to the sport and secures Ireland's position as a prime location for hosting worldclass sailing events. It also establishes Dun Laoghaire as one of the prime major racing locations in the world, capable of running multiple classes and courses to the highest international standard.

Competitive sailing has never been stronger in Ireland. Currently the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09 sees Irish worldclass sailors such as Justin Slattery, Damian Foxall and Ian Moore competing onboard the Irish-Chinese entry Green Dragon. During 2009 Galway will host the Volvo Ocean Race from 23 May to 06 June with the best of the world's ocean sailors competing for valuable points in the inport racing in Galway Bay. This will be followed in July by over 500 boats competing in Volvo Dun Laoghaire week. It is hoped that the exposure of worldclass sailing combined with structured training programmes will inspire junior sailors to achieve at the 2012 ISAF Youth Worlds Championships and subsequently go on to compete successfully at future Olympic Games.

For further information please contact:

Event Chairman Brian Craig
E mail: bmcraig@iol.ie
Mobile: +353 86 256 3351