Celebrating the Oldest One Design Class
As part of the 125th year celebrations for the oldest one design racing keelboat class in the world, the Howth 17s will be travelling to Baltimore, West Cork this year. They will be launching on Saturday 24th of June in Baltimore harbour and plan to spend a full week in West Cork to include racing and cruising.
The schedule for the week includes:
- Welcome BBQ on Sunday the 25th June at Baltimore Sailing Club,
- Sailing to Schull on Monday 26th
- Onwards to Crookhaven on Tuesday 27th
- and a trip around the Fastnet Rock on Wednesday 28th June. The class selected Cape Clear Ferries and Cape Clear Distillery as their partners for this special day, finishing at Cape Clear with a tow into the inner harbour for a drinks reception, barbecue and a ferry back to Baltimore that evening.
Thursday will be set aside as a reserve day or 'lay day', allowing sailors and attendees to enjoy the local culture and relaxation. The week will conclude with racing in Baltimore Harbour followed by the prizegiving on Friday 30th June in Baltimore Sailing Club.
This event is open to all sailors and sailing enthusiasts, and the organisers are inviting people to come and join in the celebrations. There will be plenty of opportunities to sail on the Howth 17s, as well as social events and activities throughout the week. Support boats and enthusiastic chaperones are actively encouraged and should register here
* The Class are especially seeking motherships to escort them on the sailing legs from Baltimore to Schull, Schull to Crookhaven, Crookhaven round the Fastnet to Cape Clear. https://hyc.ie/baltimore-news-updates
We are encouraging support boats to contact the Class Captain David O’Shea if they wish to join on 087 257 7042
The Howth 17s are a symbol of the Irish sailing heritage, and this event is a great opportunity to experience the beauty of West Cork and to celebrate the history of one of the oldest one design racing classes in the world.