Howth's Wave Regatta Rolls Forward Today With 104 Entries

24th May 2024

WM Nixon

John Minnis' A35 Final Call II, pictured above competing at the Howth Yacht Club hosted ICRA National Championships in 2023, returns to Fingal waters this morning (Friday, 24th May) for the first races of HYC's Porsche Wave Regatta Credit: Afloat

Howth's three-day Wave Regatta 2024, the biennial seafest with Porsche as lead sponsors, rolls into action this morning (Friday, May 24th) with a total of 104 entries, ranging from the veterans of the 1898-founded Howth 17 class to many of the most keenly campaigned cruiser racers in Ireland. Boats from all Irish coastlines and across from Wales and England are ready to race on various courses, including the time-honoured circuit of Lambay tomorrow (Saturday).

Dermot Skehan's veteran Humphreys-designed MG34 Toughnut from the host club is the defending Wave Regatta champion

Particular interest will focus on the J/109s, where several current and former Irish champions are in the mix, while the classic Half Tonners, such as Swuzzlebubble and the recently-acquired Two Farr, will be seeing
a high-quality input of special sailing talent. That said, it's an event for everyone, and the defending overall champion from 2022 is Dermot Skehan's veteran Humphreys-designed MG34 Toughnut from the host club.

Swuzzlebubble competing at the 2022 Wave Regatta at Howth Yacht Club Photo: Afloat

Ashore, the Howth Peninsula is en fete with a traditional music festival headed by Sharon Shannon, but Wave participants need to go no further than the Howth YC compound for a high-powered mix of entertainment and the much enjoyed "de-briefings" about the racing, which looks set to enjoy a variety of conditions, with Saturday, in particular, looking good.

Published in Wave Regatta, Howth YC

Published in Wave Regatta

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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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