A rising tide lifts all boats and the end of the recession will lead to a significant increase in the number of yachts competing in one of the country’s premier sailing events.

With three years to run before the Tokyo Olympics, patience is the watchword as the line-up of Irish sailors in formation start their arduous journey of training and competition against a backdrop of Annalise Murphy’s silver medal success in Rio.

Coming hot on the heels of last week’s staging of a modern classic sailing trophy at Kinsale, another 40-year old design is experiencing renewal and re-growth in Ireland after a successful national championship in Sligo.

More than half of the Irish sporting bodies that received high performance unit (HPU) funds in the quest for Olympic gold did not hit their targets.