Hosted by the Royal St George Yacht Club, the Crane Hire Ltd RS Feva 2017 Nationals took place this weekend with 56 sailors lined up for the first race on Friday afternoon. There was a full range of weather conditions over the weekend with winds in excess of 20–knots on Saturday afternoon in Dublin Bay. Racing was close and very competitive right the way throughout the fleet and the varying winds allowed all crew combinations to shine at some stage of the event.
On Sunday the event finished in glorious sunshine. Eddie and Kevin Farrell from Llandudno Sailing Club were worthy winners of the Open Trophy and gave a great demonstration of Feva planing in all conditions.
Henry Start and Morgan Devine (RStGYC) retained their National Championship title after 3 tense races on Sunday where they managed to overhaul the one-point lead that Conor and Jack Galligan from Greystones held after day two. Conor and Jack were first Under 14. In third place was Liam Donnelly and Ben Patterson (HYC & MYC) who did enough to keep Max Goodbody and Oscar Mulvin (RIYC) in fourth place. In fifth place was Christopher Garrett Evans and Harry Shackleton (HYC/MYC). Finian Duff Lennon and Meghan Hudson Malone were first U12. Emma Williams and Madison O’Conaill were first girls and Alice Tyrrell and Kate O’Connor (RIYC) won the Silver fleet.
Irish Open RS Feva Champions, Eddie and Kevin Farrell from Llandudno Sailing Club. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Hogan
An excellent prize giving was held on Sunday afternoon. Hosted by event organiser Elaine Malcolm, there were lots of prizes for the Gold and Silver fleet, individual race winners and some special prizes too. Thanks to McCready Sailboats and A Stitch in Time for their support.
'RS Feva events are very special', says Garrett Donnelly from the RS Feva Association. 'There is extremely competitive racing taking place in the fleet, and with a range of ages from 10 and up, this is a fleet that truly accommodates and welcomes all sailors'. What you end up with is an eclectic bunch who share a love for sailing, for racing and of course for the Feva itself. 'What a great little boat it is. An excellent first two hander for any sailor that is adaptable from summer sailing courses to top level competition', he added.
“This was a classic Feva event, with sailors from 10 different clubs it had everything you could want in a youth sailing championship. It’s great to see young sailors enjoying themselves so much in two handed boats. Many thanks to our main sponsors Crane Hire Ltd and to the Royal St. George Yacht Club for hosting so magnificently” said Donnelly.
