NOTICE OF RACE

2026 Blessington Multi-Class Championships

Mirror Eastern Championships / International 420 Leinster Championships / Irish Fireball Open Championship

Saturday 19th - Sunday 20th September 2026

Hosted by Blessington Sailing Club, Co. Wicklow

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1. ORGANISING AUTHORITY

1.1 The Organising Authority is Blessington Sailing Club (BSC) in association with:

• the International Mirror Class Association of Ireland (IMCAI);
• the Irish International 420 Class Association; and
• the Irish Fireball Association.

1.2 The weekend will comprise three separate championship series:

• Mirror Eastern Championships
• International 420 Leinster Championships
• Irish Fireball Open Championship

Each class will be scored separately.

2. RULES

2.1 The regatta will be governed by the rules as defined in The Racing Rules of Sailing 2025-2028, including the prescriptions of Irish Sailing.

2.2 Each class will additionally be governed by its current applicable class rules:

• International Mirror Class Rules;
• International 420 Class Rules; and
• International Fireball Class Rules.

2.3 This Notice of Race and the Sailing Instructions will also apply.

2.4 Any class-specific changes or requirements will be identified in the Sailing Instructions or by amendment to this Notice of Race.

Fireball Class

Any specific Fireball provisions regarding limitations of equipment, propulsion or other class-rule requirements will be confirmed with the Irish Fireball Association and included in the Sailing Instructions where applicable.

3. ELIGIBILITY

3.1 Mirror Class

The Mirror Eastern Championships are open to Mirror dinghies sailed by members of the International Mirror Class Association of Ireland or, where competitors are normally resident outside the island of Ireland, the recognised Mirror Class Association of their home country.

Single-event membership of IMCAI may be available.

All boats and competitors shall comply with the applicable safety requirements of the Mirror Class.

3.2 International 420 Class

The 420 Leinster Championships are open to eligible International 420 Class dinghies in accordance with the International 420 Class Rules and the requirements of the Irish International 420 Class Association.

3.3 Fireball Class

The Fireball Open Championship is open to boats of the International Fireball Class whose helm and crew satisfy the applicable membership requirements of the Irish Fireball Association and Fireball International.

3.4 Competitors Under 18

Competitors under 18 years of age shall provide any required parent or guardian declaration as part of the entry or registration process.

4. ENTRY AND FEES

4.1 Eligible boats shall enter through the Blessington Sailing Club online event booking system.

Entry link: Here

4.2 Online entry will close at a date and time to be published on the booking page.

4.3 Late entries may be accepted at the discretion of the Organising Authority.

4.4 Entry Fees

Eligibility for the Fireball Youth Entry rate will be in accordance with the requirements of the Irish Fireball Association.

4.5 Social Extras

The following optional extras may be booked with the event entry:

• Saturday evening dinner - €20 per person
• Sunday continental breakfast - €5 per person

Lunches will not be provided during the event.

5. REGISTRATION

5.1 Registration will take place at Blessington Sailing Club on Saturday 19th September from 09:30 to 11:00.

5.2 Competitors may be required to produce evidence of:

• Class Association membership;
• boat measurement or certification;
• insurance; and
• parent or guardian consent where applicable.

5.3 The Race Committee or an appointed equipment inspector may inspect a competing boat or its equipment at any reasonable time during the event.

5.4 Subject to Race Committee approval, a chartered or loaned boat may declare a sail number different from the registered hull number, provided that the declared number is not being used by another boat competing in the same class.

6. COMMUNICATION

6.1 The location and format of the Official Notice Board will be confirmed in the Sailing Instructions.

6.2 An event WhatsApp group may also be used for general event information and communication with competitors.

6.3 Details will be provided to competitors following entry.

6.4 Failure to receive an electronic or WhatsApp communication shall not be grounds for redress.

7. SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

7.1 Sailing Instructions will be made available electronically before the event and/or at registration.

7.2 Amendments will be communicated in accordance with the Sailing Instructions.

8. VENUE

8.1 The event will be hosted by Blessington Sailing Club, Co. Wicklow.

8.2 Racing will take place on Blessington Lake / Poulaphouca Reservoir.

8.3 All competing boats shall launch from and return to Blessington Sailing Club unless otherwise instructed by the Race Committee.

9. SCHEDULE

Six races are scheduled for each class.

Friday 18th September

Competitors and families are welcome to arrive at Blessington Sailing Club from Friday evening.

Free camping will be available at the club.

Saturday 19th September

• 09:00-10:30 - Registration
• 10:30 - Competitors' Briefing
• 11:55 - First Warning Signal

Up to four races may be sailed.

Subsequent races will be sailed as soon as reasonably possible following the preceding race.

Sunday 20th September

• 10:55 - First Warning SignalThe remaining scheduled races will be sailed.
• No warning signal will be made after 15:00 on Sunday, except where necessary to restart a race following a general recall or as otherwise provided in the Sailing Instructions.

The Race Committee may amend the programme having regard to weather conditions and the number of races completed.

10. CLASS STARTS AND COURSES

10.1 The Mirror, 420 and Fireball classes will have separate starts unless otherwise specified in the Sailing Instructions.

10.2 The starting order will be specified in the Sailing Instructions and may be changed by the Race Committee.

10.3 Courses will be described in the Sailing Instructions and/or displayed by the Race Committee.

10.4 Different course configurations may be used for individual classes where appropriate.

11. SCORING

11.1 Each championship will be scored as a separate series.

11.2 The Low Point System of RRS Appendix A will apply.

11.3 A minimum of two races shall be required to constitute a series (For Fireballs 1 Race will constitute a Series..

11.4 When fewer than four races have been completed, a boat's series score will be the total of her race scores.

11.5 When four or more races have been completed, a boat's series score will be the total of her race scores excluding her worst score.

12. PRIZES

12.1 Prizes will be awarded separately for:

• Mirror Eastern Championships;
• 420 Leinster Championships; and
• Fireball Open Championship.

12.2 Additional fleet, youth, silver, bronze or other prizes may be awarded by the relevant Class Association having regard to the number and composition of entries.

12.3 Perpetual trophies remain the property of their respective Class Associations.

12.4 Prize giving will take place at Blessington Sailing Club as soon as practicable following racing on Sunday.

13. INSURANCE

Each competing boat shall hold valid third-party liability insurance with minimum cover of €3,000,000, or the equivalent in another currency, for the duration of the event.

By entering the event, the owner and competitors declare that the required insurance is in place.

14. RISK STATEMENT AND RESPONSIBILITY

RRS 3 states:

“The responsibility for a boat's decision to participate in a race or to continue racing is hers alone.”

Sailing is by its nature an unpredictable sport and involves an element of risk.

By taking part in the event, each competitor agrees and acknowledges that they are responsible for themselves, their crew and their boat and for deciding whether they are sufficiently competent and fit to participate in the conditions encountered.

The provision of Race Committee, safety boat or other event support does not relieve competitors of their own responsibilities.

Blessington Sailing Club, the participating Class Associations, their officers, members, volunteers, race officials and agents accept no responsibility for loss, damage, injury or inconvenience arising from participation in the event except to the extent that such liability cannot lawfully be excluded.

15. SUPPORT BOATS

15.1 Coach, parent and other support boats shall register with the Organising Authority before going afloat.

15.2 While boats are racing, support boats shall remain outside the racing area and comply with instructions contained in the Sailing Instructions or issued by the Race Committee.

15.3 Support boats may be requested by the Race Committee to assist with safety operations.

16. PHOTOGRAPHY AND MEDIA

Photography and video may be taken during racing and associated event activities and may be used by Blessington Sailing Club and the participating Class Associations for reporting, promotional and archival purposes, subject to applicable safeguarding and data-protection requirements.

17. INVASIVE SPECIES AND BIOSECURITY

All competitor boats, trailers, launching trolleys and support boats shall comply with the applicable Invasive Species and Biosecurity requirements at Blessington Sailing Club.

Competitors are requested to ensure that all boats, trailers and equipment arrive at the venue clean and free from aquatic plants, animals, mud and standing water.

Further instructions may be issued before the event.

18. CAMPING AND SOCIAL PROGRAMME

18.1 Competitors, families and supporters are very welcome to camp at Blessington Sailing Club for the weekend.

18.2 Camping is free of charge.

18.3 Camping will be available from Friday evening, 18th September.

18.4 A social evening will take place at the club on Saturday evening.

Saturday Dinner

Dinner will be available for competitors, families and supporters at a cost of €20 per person.

Further details of the food arrangements will be communicated ahead of the event.

Music and a social evening are also planned.

Sunday Breakfast

A simple continental/buffet breakfast will be available on Sunday morning at a cost of €5 per person.

This is intended particularly to make the weekend easier for those camping at the club.

Lunches

No lunches will be provided.

Competitors should make their own arrangements for lunch and food required during racing.

19. BOATS, TRAILERS, CAMPING AND PARKING

There is ample space at Blessington Sailing Club for the storage of boats and trailers and for camping and parking.

Competitors and visitors are requested to follow the directions of club officials on arrival.

20. FURTHER INFORMATION

Further information, event updates and the Sailing Instructions will be communicated through the booking page and event communications.

Blessington Sailing Club
Blessington, Co. Wicklow

Event Booking: Below

Mirror Class: https://www.mirrorsailingireland.com/

420 Class: https://sail420.com/

Fireball Class: https://fireball-ireland.com/