Meath to host 2017 European Landsailing Championships

Meath is to host the 2017 Landsailing European Championships at Laytown and Bettystown Beaches.

Ireland’s bid by the Irish Power Kite and Sandyachting Association (IPKSA) to hold the 2017 European Sandyacht Championship for three of the International Landsailing classes was made with the support of Meath County Council and Boyne Valley Tourism. 

The event will be held in September 2017 on the expansive beaches of Laytown and Bettystown where over 100 of the best land sailors in Europe will race over a five day period.

Ireland last hosted the FISLY European Landsailing Championship in 1983 iin Newcastle, County Down.

Alan Watson from Laytown is president of FISLY and was instrumental in Ireland's succesful bid. He said there would be about 100 competitors taking part and the event would bring about 250-300 visitors to the area.

Mr Watson said opportunities exist for interested sailors to get involved in sailing and possibly compete in the European Championships 2017 as the IPKSA wish to assemble teams to participate in all three classes and will provide training for new members who may be interested in the challenge.