Gul Topper Worlds at Tralee Bay Sailing Club - Opening
by Dr David Buckley 23 Jul 2008 02:32 PDT
19-25 July 2008
An amazing sailing spectacle is taking place throughout the week with 180 topper dinghies on the water in Tralee Bay, Fenit. The boats are competing in the Gul Topper World Championships, a major international event on the sailing calendar.
Dick Spring, former Tánaiste and Honorary member of Tralee Bay Sailing Club ( TBSC) declared the event open on Sunday 20th July. “Dick has been a great supporter of TBSC for many years” said Dr David Buckley, Commodore of TBSC. “He was instrumental in securing government funding for our marina here in Fenit, which is a terrific amenity of which we are very proud .”
Ted Fitzgerald, Mayor of Tralee welcomed the sailors and their families to Tralee. “We are delighted to be hosting such a prestigious event in Tralee”, he said.
Peter Crowley, President of the Irish Sailing Association ,said he was very impressed with the level of organisation put in place by TBSC and complimented the committee on the hard work involved.
“Tralee Bay Sailing Club is in a unique geographical position with Mount Brandon brooding and dictating weather conditions in the bay. It is a beautiful situation and I wish all the sailors happy and safe sailing during the week”, said Mr Crowley .
“The Irish Sailing Association were instrumental in securing sponsorship from the Irish Sports Council which was very important in running this major event” said David Buckley. “We are also very grateful to Gul, Kerry Group and Ahern BMW and our many other supporters for their sponsorship of this event”, he added.
George Clarke, President of the International Topper Class Association (ITCA) said he was delighted that the event was being hosted in Tralee. “I am very impressed by what I have seen and experienced here in Tralee Bay to date. I would encourage all your sailors to sail to win during the week and to do your best and display true sportsmanship” said Mr Clarke.
Alan Crosbie, from Cork is the Principal Race Officer for the week and David Buckley thanked him for his continued support of Tralee Bay Sailing Club.
The Harbour Board work hand in hand with TBSC all year round, and Johnny Wall, Chairperson of the Harbour Board, attended the opening ceremony on Sunday last.
Paddy O Sullivan was also present at the opening ceremony. “Paddy is held in high esteem by all of the members of Tralee Bay Sailing Club” said David Buckley.” He is a founding member of the club and the organiser of the last world event held in Fenit in 1970, The World Fireball Championships. We are delighted,as always, to have Paddy here with us today and very grateful to him and all his fellow founding members for all of their involvement in the club over the last 52 years” added David Buckley.