Blustery conditions formed the backdrop to the Irish RS 200/400 National sailing championships, which took place in Cushendall this weekend. Greystones sailors Simon Herriott and Tom Moran led the RS400 class, while Roy Van Moonen and Glen Reid won top prize in the RS200 fleet.
The championships, which were sponsored by Neil Mathews Architects, saw 18 RS400 boats and 13 RS200s enter. There were five races held over Friday and Saturday, while gusts of nearly 40 knots saw Sunday’s races abandoned.
Roy Van Moonen and Glen Reid from Greystones Sailing Club led the RS200 fleet, bagging three firsts, a second and a third. In second place were Trevor Fisher and Heather King from Royal St George Yacht Club in East Down. And then it was Greystones again, with Sean Cleary and Steven Tyner amassing a first, second, third and two fourth place finishes to end up in third place overall.
Paul McLaughlin and Mick McKinley were first home from the five local crews that took part in the RS400 class, finishing fifth overall.
Gerry and Avril Cannon lifted a prize as the first mixed crew home in the 400s, while Sarah and Ciara Byrne in an RS200 were the first all-woman crew home.
Richard Doig and Dr Michael Hill from East Antrim Boat Club kindly officiated as Race Officer and Assistant Race Officer for the series.
Sep 11
7
According to the weather forecast, it looks like RS sailors will be treated to a wide range of wind conditions for the upcoming RS200 & 400 Nationals at Cushendall Sailing & Boating Club.
We have prepared a full schedule of racing and we plan to provide the usual Cushendall hospitality which we have become known for.
For driving directions to Cushendall please click here or add our postcode BT44 0QW into your satnav.
As mentioned in the Sailing Instructions:
| Day | Date | Event | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | 8th September | Registration | 19:00 to 21:00 |
| Friday | 9th September | Registration | 10:00 to 11:00 |
| Briefing | 11:00 | ||
| Race 1 | 13:00 | ||
| Race 2 | ASAP after Race 1 | ||
| Race 3 | ASAP after Race 2 | ||
| Saturday | 10th September | Race 4 | 11:00 |
| Race 5 | ASAP after Race 4 | ||
| Race 6 | ASAP after Race 5 | ||
| Race 7 | ASAP after Race 6 | ||
| Sunday | 11th September | Race 8 | 11:00 |
| Race 9 | ASAP after Race 8 | ||
| Race 10 | ASAP after Race 9 |
A meal is included in the entry fee for both Friday and Saturday night in the clubhouse and Tea/Coffee and scones are available each morning.
We wish you all a safe journey.
Andrew McCleary and Colin Dougan from Killyleagh Yacht Club won this weekend’s the East Coast Flying Fifteen championships, hosted this weekend by Cushendall Sailing and Boating Club.
Strangford Sailing Club’s Brian McKee and Ian Smyth finished second after five races in Red Bay over Saturday and Sunday, while Roger Chamberlain and Jason Scammell-Maarch from Strangford Lough Yacht Club finished third, despite helm Roger receiving a knock to the head and retiring from the fourth race.
First in the Silver fleet was Tom Murphy and Andrew Marshall from Dun Laoghaire’s National Yacht Club. The Bronze fleet was led by Philip and Anna Sanford, again from Strangford Sailing Club, while Bryan Willis and John McPeake from Whitehead’s County Antrim Yacht Club were the leading boat in the Classic fleet.
In all 27 boats took part in the racing, which saw calm but overcast conditions on Saturday, and increasingly fresh breezes with gusts over 20 knots during Sunday’s three races. Clubs participating in the championships included: Killyleagh Yacht Club, Strangford Sailing Club, Strangford Lough Yacht Club, the National Yacht Club, Portaferry Sailing Club, County Antrim Yacht Club in Whitehead, Larne’s East Antrim Boat Club, Carrickfergus Sailing Club and Courtown Sailing Club in Wexford, as well as four local boats from Cushendall Sailing and Boating Club.
The first home of the locals were Rob Pelley and Marc Ritson. Paul Lowry and Brenda Reddington were next, followed by Eddie and Eoin Ritson. Paul McLaughlin and Michael McKinley, competing in a borrowed boat, were next over the line.
Sep 11
2
This weekend, 3rd & 4th September.
Entry Fee – £40
5 races, 3 on Saturday, 2 on Sunday.
Meal included in the entry fee to be served in the club on Saturday night.
Tea/Coffee and scones available each morning.
More Details, Sailing Instructions and Notice of Race HERE
DATE FOR YOUR DIARY
WHAT: Flying Fifteen East Coast sailing championships
WHERE: CSBC, Coast Road, Cushendall, County Antrim, BT44 0SD
WHEN: Saturday 3 – Sunday 4 September 2011
Information: Upwards of 50 sailors are expected to travel to Cushendall this weekend for the East Coast of Ireland regional sailing championships in the Flying Fifteen class. The two-day championships will be the penultimate major event in Cushendall Sailing and Boating Club’s 2011 sailing season, during which the club celebrated its 50th anniversary.
The Flying Fifteen is a 20 foot keelboat that provides competitive sailing for its two-person crew. There are thriving fleets across Ireland and the UK, with nearly 60 boats competing in races in Ireland. More than 4,000 flying fifteens have been built to date and a large number of these are still sailing somewhere in the world.
CSBC Commodore John Lowry said: “This is the second regional event to be hosted at the club this year, after hosting the Topper Ulster Championships in June. We’re all looking forward to some great racing on the water, and great craic off it. We’ve 6 Flying Fifteens at the club, and they’re excited by the added competition from the visiting boats this weekend. Fingers crossed for some good weather.”
Last year’s East Coast Championship in Carlingford was won by Strangford Lough Yacht Club’s Buckfast, helmed by Darren Martin. Brian McKee, also from Strangford Lough Yacht Club in Killinchy, and sailing Stifflers Mom is currently ranked first in the national fleet, with only this weekend’s East Coast event left to race. David Gorman aboard Hy5ive and from the National Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire is second; while Strangford Sailing Club’s Gerry Reilly on Over the Moon is ranked third.
Aug 11
25
The dinghy regatta takes place this weekend and the forecast looks like it will provide excellent racing conditions.
Two races back to back each day
Warning signal both days at 12.00 sharp.
Lunch in the bar after racing each day and prize-giving on Sunday.
Everyone is welcome and we’d encourage all our members to empty the boat yard and take part in the weekends racing.
Aug 11
9
Don’t forget, tickets for the BBQ need to be booked by tomorrow (Wednesday).
They are available from the bar at £15/head.