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Concern That All-Ireland Helmsman's Championship Is To Become The Champions Cup

24th August 2022
As we were.
As we were. "Salveration" is at hand. Peter Kennedy of Strangford and crewman Stephen Kane with their respective salvers after the former had won the All Ireland Helmsman's Championship at Lough Ree in 2018

It has had three or four titles in its 74 years of existence. But until now, the Irish Championship of Champions, or whatever it's called, has been raced for the same original and increasingly battered Silver Salver, as presented by Douglas Heard in 1947. A rose is still a rose by any other name, for sure. But whatever the event title - of which the most senior holders still with us are Teddy Crosbie (1950), Johnny Hooper (1953), and Clayton Love Jnr (1955) - the trophy until now has remained unmistakably the same salver.

Yet for the 75th Anniversary series this Autumn, the word on the waterfront is that the series is going to be re-named the 'Champions' Cup'. It's certainly a reasonably catchy bit of alliterations. But even the dumbest fence in stolen silverware would baulk at trying to convince anyone that this time-honoured salver is a silver cup. So maybe they're going to melt it down and give it new life as a bright new silver cup?

Certainly, it's an awkward enough bit of kit, and getting it all the way home on the post-championship Sunday night in the old days in the ancient MG TD made for a cramped journey. But that's hardly the case these days with everyone driving SUVs.

Thus the question stands: Is our much-loved if awkward silver salver going to be melted down for conversion into a more convenient cup in order to fit the new event title? We think we should be told.

Published in All Irelands
WM Nixon

About The Author

WM Nixon

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William M Nixon has been writing about sailing in Ireland for many years in print and online, and his work has appeared internationally in magazines and books. His own experience ranges from club sailing to international offshore events, and he has cruised extensively under sail, often in his own boats which have ranged in size from an 11ft dinghy to a 35ft cruiser-racer. He has also been involved in the administration of several sailing organisations.

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