The Irish Sailing Association (ISA) has announced the nominations for the annual ISA Helmsman Championship to be held at Howth Yacht Club on the weekend of October 25th and 26th. The event is the annual `champion of champions' series that aims to determine Ireland's top sailor for the year.

This year's championship will be sailed in Squibs, seen by some as a compromise between keelboat and dinghy and should hopefully result in more interest from keelboat sailors. The abundance of quality racing Squibs in Howth should ensure fairness between the boats and already the stage is set for a showdown between various title holders. Defending champion Laura Dillon will face last year's runner-up Tom Fitzpatrick (junior) who was beaten in the protest room and is certain to be seeking a win. Also on the list is Olympian Mark Lyttle who collected his seventh Laser national title this year, though whether he decides to accept the invitation to compete for his fourth `champion of champions' title remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, Squib class national champion Robert Stanley has the dual advantage of knowing his boat and coming from the host club. Newly-crowned junior champion Neil Spain from Swords Sailing and Boating Club must also rank highly following his defeat of Dillon into fourth place at Schull last weekend.

But for the lesser-known champions, the prospect of failure often acts as a deterrent to participation. This is a pity - few other sports give leisure participants a chance to compete with a nation's top athletes on equal terms.

The Dragon class nomination has yet to be announced as it depends on this week's six-race national championship. Nearly 40 boats have gathered for their annual meeting at Kinsale Yacht Club. The quality fleet includes several cross-channel visitors including, as always, Rory Bowman, the current British champion.

While defending Irish champion Simon Brien of the Royal Ulster YC was fourth in yesterday's opening race, the Royal St George YC had three crews dominate the top positions at this early stage. John Lavery in Das Boot, Andrew Craig in Chimaera and Robin Hennessy in Rascal Rat took first, second and third places respectively in ideal conditions.

Meanwhile, Cork, where the British McWilliam loft is hosting the annual conference for members of the former American-based Ulmer Kolius group, is also the meeting-point for 40 sailmakers from around the world. The group holds the patent on Tape Drive sails and the gathering is being held outside the United States for the first time.