Bord Failte to Sponsor Windsurfing World Championship
The Professional Windsurfing Association’s (PWA) Irish Wave Grand Prix, sponsored by Bord Failte, returns to Brandon Bay, Co Kerry for the third successive year, on October 3rd - 10th, 2002.
As many as 80 of the top male and female wave sailors from over 20 countries will be competing in the Irish Wave Grand Prix. The event will be broadcast in over 100 countries worldwide.
The PWA Irish Wave 2002 event will be a roving contest on the Dingle Peninsula, allowing the competition to take place in the best local conditions ‘on the day’, although it is anticipated that most of the wave action will take place in Brandon Bay.
The Dingle Peninsula has a reputation for being one of the best, low-pressure weather areas in Europe – a vital ingredient for serious wave sailing. It is recognised as an excellent location for visitors for all levels of windsurfing and water sports activity.
Bord Failte sponsorship is being provided through the International Sports Tourism Initiative, introduced by the Government as a means of attracting high profile sports events to Ireland with the potential to highlight niche market tourism facilities.
The leading Irish contenders are Oisin van Gelderen from Skerries, County Dublin and Timo Mullen from Lurgan, County Armagh. International stars competing include current wave World champion Bjorn Dunkerbeck from Spain and former wave World champion Francisco Goya, from Argentina.
Mr. John O’Donoghue TD, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism said: 'The establishment of the Irish Wave Grand Prix as a permanent and prestigious fixture on the PWA World Tour is a credit to the organisers and to the local people of Castlegregory. There is nothing as enlivening as the sight of wind surfers speeding gracefully and skilfully across the waves – and nothing quite complements that image more than the beautiful coastline of County Kerry.'
Mr. Niall Reddy, acting Chief Executive of Bord Fáilte said: 'The hosting of the PWA Irish Wave 2002 underlines once again the attractions of Ireland’s coastline to the visiting water sport enthusiasts and to windsurfers in particular. Ireland has excellent year round water sport facilities with over 5,600 km of scenic coastline and hundreds of lakes and rivers. Bord Fáilte has identified water sports as a very important tourism attraction and this prestigious event will further help to position Ireland as a premier destination for water sports.
Bord Fáilte’s sponsorship of other water sport activities has included Ireland’s hosting of the World Laser and Laser Master Championships in 2001, the Round Ireland Yacht Race 2002, the biennial Ford Cork Week and the UIM Formula One Powerboat Grand Prix of Ireland in Waterford City.
Other international events supported by Bord Fáilte’s International Sports Tourism Initiative in 2002 include: the IAAF / Sport Ireland World Cross Country Championships at Leopardstown Racecourse last March, the Seve Trophy at Druids Glen golf club in April, the British Touring Car Championships at Mondello Park in June and the WGC - American Express Golf Championship at Mount Juliet last week.
For further information please contact:
John Corcoran
Slattery PR.
T: 01 – 6614055
M: 086 –6086671
E: jcorcoran@slatterypr.ie
As many as 80 of the top male and female wave sailors from over 20 countries will be competing in the Irish Wave Grand Prix. The event will be broadcast in over 100 countries worldwide.
The PWA Irish Wave 2002 event will be a roving contest on the Dingle Peninsula, allowing the competition to take place in the best local conditions ‘on the day’, although it is anticipated that most of the wave action will take place in Brandon Bay.
The Dingle Peninsula has a reputation for being one of the best, low-pressure weather areas in Europe – a vital ingredient for serious wave sailing. It is recognised as an excellent location for visitors for all levels of windsurfing and water sports activity.
Bord Failte sponsorship is being provided through the International Sports Tourism Initiative, introduced by the Government as a means of attracting high profile sports events to Ireland with the potential to highlight niche market tourism facilities.
The leading Irish contenders are Oisin van Gelderen from Skerries, County Dublin and Timo Mullen from Lurgan, County Armagh. International stars competing include current wave World champion Bjorn Dunkerbeck from Spain and former wave World champion Francisco Goya, from Argentina.
Mr. John O’Donoghue TD, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism said: 'The establishment of the Irish Wave Grand Prix as a permanent and prestigious fixture on the PWA World Tour is a credit to the organisers and to the local people of Castlegregory. There is nothing as enlivening as the sight of wind surfers speeding gracefully and skilfully across the waves – and nothing quite complements that image more than the beautiful coastline of County Kerry.'
Mr. Niall Reddy, acting Chief Executive of Bord Fáilte said: 'The hosting of the PWA Irish Wave 2002 underlines once again the attractions of Ireland’s coastline to the visiting water sport enthusiasts and to windsurfers in particular. Ireland has excellent year round water sport facilities with over 5,600 km of scenic coastline and hundreds of lakes and rivers. Bord Fáilte has identified water sports as a very important tourism attraction and this prestigious event will further help to position Ireland as a premier destination for water sports.
Bord Fáilte’s sponsorship of other water sport activities has included Ireland’s hosting of the World Laser and Laser Master Championships in 2001, the Round Ireland Yacht Race 2002, the biennial Ford Cork Week and the UIM Formula One Powerboat Grand Prix of Ireland in Waterford City.
Other international events supported by Bord Fáilte’s International Sports Tourism Initiative in 2002 include: the IAAF / Sport Ireland World Cross Country Championships at Leopardstown Racecourse last March, the Seve Trophy at Druids Glen golf club in April, the British Touring Car Championships at Mondello Park in June and the WGC - American Express Golf Championship at Mount Juliet last week.
For further information please contact:
John Corcoran
Slattery PR.
T: 01 – 6614055
M: 086 –6086671
E: jcorcoran@slatterypr.ie