O'Dowd Trophy

Blessington Sailing Club

June 21st & 22nd, 2025

NOTICE OF RACE

Notice of Race

The O'Dowd Trophy shall take place at Blessington Sailing Club, Blessington, Co Wicklow on Saturday and Sunday, June 21st & 22nd, 2025. Blessington Sailing Club is the organizing authority.

Rules
All races shall be governed by the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS), the prescriptions of the Irish Sailing Association (ISA), the rules of the International Mirror Class Association of Ireland (IMCAI), this Notice of Race, and the Sailing Instructions. Only Silver & Bronze Fleets will compete for the O'Dowd Trophy.

Eligibility
The event is open to Mirrors sailed by members of the IMCAI or, where non-resident on the Island of Ireland, the Mirror Class Association of another country. Single event membership of the IMCAI is available.

All boats and competitors shall comply with the safety rules of the IMCAI.
Eligible boats may enter by completing the entry form to be received no later than 10:00 hrs on Saturday, June 21st, 2025.
The Race Committee may request a valid measurement certificate for inspection and may appoint an official to inspect any competing boat at any time.
All boats must sail from Blessington Sailing Club.

Responsibility & Insurance
Competitors must have third-party insurance of at least €3M (three million euro).
RRS Fundamental Rule 4 states: "The responsibility for a boat's decision to participate in a race or to continue racing is hers alone." This includes a decision whether or not to launch and should take into account the equipment and clothing of both helm and crew.
The race organizers shall not be responsible for any loss, damage, death, or personal injury however caused to the owner or crew as a result of their taking part in the event.

Entries
Entry fee €70 with an early bird offer of €60 until Sunday, June 15th, 2025.

Registration, Briefing & Sailing Instructions
Registration will be held at Blessington Sailing Club as follows: Open until Saturday, June 21st, 2025, at 10:00.
A briefing will be held on Saturday, June 21st, 2025, at 11:55hrs at Blessington Sailing Club.
Sailing Instructions will be available to competitors at registration.

Schedule of Events
Saturday, June 21st, 2025:

• Registration: 10:00 - 1200
• Briefing, followed by Master Classes on and Off the Water with Triple Olympian Ger Owens and experienced coaches: 12:00 to 18:00
• Boats Should be Rigged & Sailors ready to Launch by 12:00
• Own Lunch ashore

Sunday, June 22nd, 2025:

• Briefing 09:30
• First warning signal at 10:25
• Three to Six short races (max 30 mins each)

Training
Training will include:

• Novice training with a local coach for beginners
• Large fleet starting tactics
• Upwind/Downwind strategy
• Expert spinnaker session
• And much more

Scoring
The Low Point scoring system of RRS Appendix A4.1 shall apply. When four or more races have been completed, a boat’s score will be the total of her race scores excluding her worst score.

Lunches
Lunches will not be provided to competitors on the water.

Prize Giving
Prize giving will be held at approximately 15:30 on Sunday, June 22nd, 2025.

Camping and Evening Meal
Camping is available on Saturday night at the sailing club. An evening meal on Saturday is to be confirmed at an additional charge.

Invasive Species and Biohazard Prevention Policy and Code of Practice
All competitor boats and support boats must comply with the Invasive Species and Biohazard Prevention Policy and Code of Practice.

For additional information, please follow directions on arrival. There is ample space at our club to safely camp, park, store boats, trailers, and caravans.

Mirror Class Association Membership
https://www.mirrorsailingireland.com/membership