For some of the Northern Ireland boats which competed in the Scottish Series at Tarbert, the results were very pleasing.
Of the nine who made the trip north, the best results were from Ballyholme-based Kevin Byers and Michael Russell’s Sigma 33 Signet in the eight-strong Class 7, who had the tie with Ken Andrew’s Jeanneau S Argento broken in his favour. Signet posted three wins out of four races.
The Sigma 33 Signet in home waters
Other Belfast Lough competitors who had excellent results were Shaun Douglas’s Beneteau 40.7 Game Changer from Royal Ulster, Ballyholme and Cockle Island, who was runner-up in IRC 1 to Jonathan Anderson’s J122E El Gran Senor (Royal Irish YC) whose crew included Gavin Watson and Robbie Milhench from Royal Ulster.
Gavin Watson (left) and Robbie Milhench (RUYC) on El Senor Photo: RUYC Facebook
Shaun Douglas's Game Changer racing in Belfast Lough
Shaun Douglas (3rd left back row) and the crew of Game Changer Photo: courtesy RUYC
Shaun and his crew reflected on the event, "We had the usual Lough Fyne weather – very light and fluky most of the time. We had a great first day and were pleased to have been leading after day one. The second and third days were a bit different, but we managed to keep in the hunt. The new sails have helped, but we are still learning about them, so hopefully, we can keep improving”.
Bruce Douglas’s J133 Spirit of Jacana from Carrickfergus Sailing Club, like Game Changer, counted six races in the top three to come third. In Class 3 Iain Chapman’s Attica (RUYC) was third, and the Strangford Lough-based Nicholson 43 Magdaleyne (Michael Petticrew) came fifth.
Emma and Paul Prentice from Belfast Lough racing Squawk began well with a first in a highly competitive Sigma 33 class dominated by James Miller’s Mayrise but unfortunately lagged behind in the other races though did count two seconds and a third. Mark Mackey’s Mithril, also from Belfast Lough was sixth, posting two thirds and second. Emma and Paul enjoyed the event; “Blue water sailing in idyllic surroundings. Our thanks to Jamie McGarrity and his team, and the hospitality shown by the people of Tarbert”.
The Sigma 33 Squawk Emma and Paul Prentice competing at an earlier event
Richard Doig‘s Hydrology had a disappointing event racing in Class 5.
The next meeting for several of these boats may be the IRC/RC35 two-day event at Royal Ulster Yacht Club on 24th and 25th June.
