Pushing the boats out

Tempting though it is to indulge in a flurry of water-based gags - you know the stuff, he made a quite a splash, we all wet ourselves…

Tempting though it is to indulge in a flurry of water-based gags - you know the stuff, he made a quite a splash, we all wet ourselves with laughter - good taste requires us to forbear. Instead, we'll just tell you about the Indigo International Sailing Federation (ISAF) world team racing championships opening at Dun Laoghaire's grand old Royal St George Yacht Club on Monday night.

Boating enthusiasts will know how big a deal this is. For the uninitiated, it's worth pointing out that the International Sailing Federation doesn't hand out tournaments willy nilly.

Topping the list was round-the-world yachtsman turned politician Simon Coveney, who dashed to the event from the opening of a medical treatment unit in Cork city. The boyish Fine Gael TD used to enjoy a jaunt up and down the coast, but he's had to put his boating pursuits on hold after winning his late father Hugh's Dail seat. He assures us, however, that the rest of the family are still at it, with brothers Andrew and Tony continuing to impress at competitive level.

Guest of honour was veteran boatsman Alf Delaney, who represented Ireland in the 1950 Olympics and continues to sail regularly. He was in deep conversation with Royal George president Richard Hooper, for whom this competition is something of a personal triumph, coinciding as it does with the 50th anniversary of team racing, an event pioneered by the south Dublin institution.

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Among the country's water-sports notables at the opening night barbecue were Aisling Bowman, top ranking Irish sailor at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, and Cork yachtsman Dave Hassett. ISAF treasurer Paddy Maguire sported a tan straight out of Baywatch and an effusive jocularity that went down well with the locals.

The corporate sector made its presence felt in the form of top brass from Internet company Indigo, a bunch of easygoing guys who became edgy when asked what they'd been up to recently. When pressed, MD Mark Beggs mumbled something about "exciting developments". Seems something big is in the offing at Indigo - and they didn't want us spoiling the surprise.