26/04/2012
Coleraine will be afloat this weekend as Coleraine Yacht Club officially launches the renowned 24 hour Dinghy Race with a special event at the Club which includes a short dinghy race on the River Bann this Saturday 21 April 2012.
The 24 hour Dinghy Race has been revived during the Club's 50th anniversary. The Race is renowned for the large number of teams competing and the camaradie throughout the endurance event.
The first such event was run in 1969 and thereafter annually until 2000.
The Coleraine Yacht Club RiverRidge Recycling 24 hour Dinghy Race has received popular acclaim throughout the sailing fraternity In Ireland. The event will see classes for Lasers, Toppers and Fevas as well as Junior and Cadet racing.
It is thought that many sailors who remember the race with fondness will enter teams of "old codgers"!
Commodore Ivan Campbell said "The Coleraine Yacht Club is very excited about this year's activities in its 5oth anniversary, in pareticular the 24 hour Dinghy Race. This race could not happen without the generous sponsorship of our main sponsor RiverRidge Recycling, a local waste management company, whose ethos is firmly rooted in improving the environment for all. Mr Brett Ross, Managing Director of RiverRidge Recycling, has taken a personal interest in the race and has been of great support."
Other kind sponsors include The Autoline Insurance Group, Greers of Antrim and the Volvo car agent based in Antrim.
The race will be run on the 15th, 16th and 17th of June this year. The start gun will sound at 2pm on 16th April and the finish will be the first boat to cross the line at or after 2pm on 17th April.
There will be entertainment ashore and plenty for the competitors and their shore crew from the Thursday night right through to the prize giving on Sunday afternoon.
"Although this is serious dinghy racing there is a fun aspect to the weekend and many sailors have very happy memories of the fun weekends they enjoyed at "the 24 Hour Race", concluded Commodore Campbell.
