J/24 National Championships – Day 1 After indifferent form in previous regional championships, Mickey McCaldin of Lough Erne YC did not arrive in Howth as the favourite to retain the Irish title he won last year but after the first five races of the eight race series, he and his experienced crew on 'Murder Picture' have made it clear that they intend to hold on to the trophy.

His championship defence couldn't have started any better, with three successive bullets. The fourth race was something of a disaster for them finishing 14th but 5th in the final race of the first day sees them two points clear of their major rival for the honours, Flor O'Driscoll (RSt.GYC) on 'Hard on Port' who notched up three third places and a win the final race to stay very much in touch with the defending champion.

Local hopes centre on 'Jibberish' (O'Kelly & Co) and they did not disappoint. Having only taken delivery of the boat two days ago after repairs to serious damage suffered months ago in a T-bone collision, they might be excused for not performing, as they got re-0acquainted with their boat. A results card that included two second places and the most impressive race win of the day – the margin of victory was very impressive – puts the Howth crew in third place overall going into the second day.

Tying on points but ranked as 4th is J/24 Class President Robin Eagleson of Lough Erne YC on 'Luder Too' who also showed great consistency with three second places and might have ended the day even higher up the leader-board if it wasn't for a disastrous last race when the tides played havoc with the distinctively red boat at the windward mark.

Two other northern boats – JP McCaldin's 'Jamais Encore' (Dalgety Bay SC) and 'Sayonara' (D.O'Donovan, LEYC) – fill the next two places overall.

The five windward-leeward races were sailed in varying (although generally fresh) conditions, with headsail changes the order of the day, while the last race threw up gusts of 30 knots plus at the 17-boat fleet. The series concludes on Sunday 12th with three races scheduled by PRO David Lovegrove and his team on 'Free Enterprise'.

J/24 National Championship – overall places after 5 races:

Mickey McCaldin – LEYC – 8 points
Flor O'Driscoll – RStGYC – 10 points
Fergus O'Kelly & Co. – HYC – 14 points
Robin Eagleson – LEYC – 14 points
J.P. McCaldin (DBSC) – 20 points
D.O'Donovan – LEYC – 20 points

 

Photo Gallery by Gareth Craig HERE

DUBLIN PORT Dublin Bay Sailing Club Results for 11 SEPTEMBER 2010

BENETEAU 31.7 - 1. Bluefin Two (M & B Bryson), 2. Magic (D.O'Sullivan/D.Espey), 3. Prospect (Chris Johnston)

BENETEAU 31.7 Echo - 1. Fiddly Bits (Kevin Byrne et al), 2. Bluefin Two (M & B Bryson), 3. Violet Flame (B.Murphy/L.Osbourne)

CRUISERS 0 Echo - 1. WOW (George Sisk), 2. Lively Lady (Derek Martin)

CRUISERS 0 - 1. WOW (George Sisk), 2. Lively Lady (Derek Martin)

CRUISERS 1 - 1. Gringo (Tony Fox), 2. Contango (Barry Cunningham), 3. Jalapeno (Dermod Baker et al)

CRUISERS 1 Echo- 1. Jura (Barry McCabe), 2. Powder Monkey (C.Moore/M.Byrne), 3. Gringo (Tony Fox)

CRUISERS 2 Echo - 1. Bendemeer (Gerald Kinsella), 2. Jawesome 11 (V.Kennedy/M.Dyke), 3. Peridot (Jim McCann et al)

CRUISERS 2 - 1. Jawesome 11 (V.Kennedy/M.Dyke), 2. Bendemeer (Gerald Kinsella), 3. Peridot (Jim McCann et al)

CRUISERS 3 Echo - 1. Papytoo (M.Walsh/F.Guilfoyle), 2. Chouskikou (R.Sheehan/R.Hickey), 3. Jammie Dodger (J.H & D.O'Neill)

CRUISERS 3 - 1. Supernova (K.Lawless et al), 2. Papytoo (M.Walsh/F.Guilfoyle), 3. Two Step (Ross Doyle)

CRUISERS 4 - 1. Ghrazel (Charles Pearson), 2. Rascal (K.Burke/S.Milner), 3. Maranda (Myles Kelly)

FIREBALL - 1. Blind Squirrel (Frank Miller), 2. Weather (E.Butler/O.Laverty), 3. Goodness Gracious (Louise McKenna)

FIREBALL - 1. Blind Squirrel (Frank Miller), 2. Weather (E.Butler/O.Laverty)

FLYING FIFTEEN Race 1- 1. Fflogger (Alan Dooley), 2. Flyer (Niall Coleman), 3. Snow White (Frank Burgess)

FLYING FIFTEEN Race 2- 1. Rollercoaster (Tom Murphy), 2. Flyer (Niall Coleman), 3. Snow White (Frank Burgess)

GLEN - 1. Glenshesk (L.Faulkner et al), 2. Glenluce (D & R O'Connor), 3. Pterodactyl (R & D McCaffrey)

MERMAID Race 2- 1. Aideen (B.Martin/D.Brennan)

MERMAID Race 1- 1. Lively Lady (G O'Neill & M Hanney), 2. Oonagh (J&M Griffith), 3. Aideen (B.Martin/D.Brennan)

PY CLASS Race 1- 1. Brendan McConville (Wayfarer), 2. Stuart McBride (Laser Vago)

RUFFIAN 23 - 1. Alias (D.Meeke/M.McCarthy), 2. Diane ll (Bruce Carswell), 3. Ruff N Ready (Ann Kirwan et al)

SHIPMAN - 1. Euphanzel lll (Louis McSherry et al), 2. Jo Slim (J.Clarke et al), 3. Curraglas (John Masterson)

SIGMA 33 - 1. Rupert (R.Lovegrove/P.Varian), 2. White Mischief (Timothy Goodbody), 3. Popje (Ted McCourt)

SQUIB Race 1- 1. Femme Fatale (Joe O'Byrne), 2. Perfection (Jill Fleming), 3. Lola (Frank Whelan)

SQUIB Race 2- 1. Femme Fatale (Joe O'Byrne), 2. Nimble (Brian O'Hare), 3. Perfection (Jill Fleming)

WHITE SAIL CRUISERS Echo - 1. Finnegans Wake (T.Rowlands et al), 2. Windshift (R O'Flynn et al), 3. Act Two (Michael O'Leary et al)

WHITE SAIL CRUISERS - 1. Act Two (Michael O'Leary et al), 2. Calypso (Howard Knott), 3. Windshift (R O'Flynn et al)

The Royal Ulster YC crew of Gareth Flannigan/Brian Spence/Jeremy Tomlinson were the emphatic winners of the Investwise SB3 National Championship at Howth with a remarkable 17.5 points margin over runner-up 'Yeti' (Sean Craig/Stephen Boyle/Alan Green) of the Royal St.George YC, with early pacemaker 'Sharkbait' (Ben Duncan/Brian Moran/Ric Morris) of HYC a further two points adrift.

The northerners simply got better and better as the series unfolded. After a tentative start with an 8th and a 6th on day one, they strung together an impressive record of three bullets and three seconds, clearly revelling in the strong wind conditions over the weekend.

They arrived in Howth as the pre-event favourites on the back of top class performances at the four regional championships and did not disappoint. Overnight leaders going into the last day, they only had to steer clear of trouble and keep an eye on Craig and Duncan to be sure of overall victory.

Winning the penultimate race (just ahead of Craig and with Duncan back in 17th) effectively sealed the title but the last race threw up the highly unusual result in one-design racing of a tie for line honours with 'Bullet' (Trevor D'Arcy and crew from Carrickfergus), with Duncan salvaging a third after several average results.

Discarding an 8th was a clear indication of the Royal Ulster crew's dominance of the event and the pre-event predictions as to who would be the podium finishers was highly accurate. In addition to the top three, there were four other northern crews and four Dun Laoghaire boats in the top ten.

Duncan was the leading local boat in 3rd overall, although two other Howth crews 'Flying Saucers' (Emma McDonald) and 'Lia' (Dave Barry) filled 11th and 12th places respectively.

David Quinn of sponsors Investwise, who competed himself and finished mid-fleet, was delighted with the event which, with 49 entries, ranks as one of the biggest one-design class championships in the country. Organisation of the championship was headed up by Suzanne Carroll and her committee.

SB3 NATIONALS PHOTO GALLERY BY GARETH CRAIG HERE

SB3 NATIONALS PHOTO GALLERY BY BRIAN CARLIN HERE

Investwise SB3 National Championship – overall result:

1. McCreadys Gill Team (Flannigan/Spence/Tomlinson) RUYC 15.5 pts
2. Yeti (Craig/Boyle/Green) RStGYC 33 pts
3. Sharkbait (Duncan/Moran/Morris) 35 pts
4. Flutter (Algeo/Knatchbull/Haughton) RStGYC 47 pts
5. Bad (Hyde/Dowling/Dowling) RIYC 53 pts
6. Toucan 3 (Vaughan & crew) RNIYC 57 pts

In the second day of racing at the SB3 Ireland National Championships the McCready Gill Racing team of Gareth Flannigan, Brian Spence and Jeremy Thomalison took control of the overall lead. The Ballyholme team scored a 2,1,2 in squally conditions to move 8 points clear going into the final days racing.

Leaders from day one Ben Duncan, Brian Moran and Ric Morris had a more testing day with some interesting action at the start of race 4 and 5 leaving them playing catch up. Scoring 6,11,7 they slip back to second tied with Sean Craig (5,3,10). Winner of todays final race Andrew Algio, Garry Houghton and Richard Knatchbull added a 13th and a 6th to a win in the final race to move up to 4th. Ross Vaughan, Rory Fitzpatrick and Ryan Seartons 11, 1, 33 was enough to move them up to 5th.

Squally conditions on Day two of the SB3 Nationals. Photo: Gareth Craig. More photos HERE.

HOWTH YACHT CLUB. SB3 NATIONALS (O'ALL) 04/09/2010 SB3: 1, McCreadys Gill Team Gareth Flannigan RUYC (13.00); 2, Sharkbait Ben Duncan HYC (21.00); 3, Yeti Sean Craig RStGYC (21.00); 4, Flutter Andrew Algeo RStGYC (34.00); 5, Toucan 3 Ross Vaughan RNIYC (38.00)

Day Two photos by Gareth Craig HERE.

 

 

DUBLIN PORT Dublin Bay Sailing Club Results for 4 SEPTEMBER 2010

BENETEAU 31.7 - 1. Bluefin Two (M & B Bryson), 2. Prospect (Chris Johnston), 3. Fiddly Bits (Kevin Byrne et al)

BENETEAU 31.7 Echo- 1. Fiddly Bits (Kevin Byrne et al), 2. Bluefin Two (M & B Bryson), 3. Violet Flame (B.Murphy/L.Osbourne)

CRUISERS 0 Echo - 1. WOW (George Sisk), 2. Tsunami (Vincent Farrell), 3. Tiamat (Tim Costello)

CRUISERS 0 - 1. WOW (George Sisk), 2. Tsunami (Vincent Farrell), 3. Tiamat (Tim Costello)

CRUISERS 1 Echo - 1. Gringo (Tony Fox), 2. Jura (Barry McCabe), 3. Raptor (D.Hewitt et al)

CRUISERS 1 - 1. Gringo (Tony Fox), 2. Raptor (D.Hewitt et al), 3. Jalapeno (Dermod Baker et al)

CRUISERS 2 Echo - 1. Free Spirit (John O'Reilly), 2. Bendemeer (Gerald Kinsella), 3. Jawesome 11 (V.Kennedy/M.Dyke)

CRUISERS 2 - 1. Jawesome 11 (V.Kennedy/M.Dyke), 2. Bendemeer (Gerald Kinsella), 3. Peridot (Jim McCann et al)

CRUISERS 3 Echo - 1. Jammie Dodger (J.H & D.O'Neill), 2. Wanderlust (E.& J.Melvin), 3. Chouskikou (R.Sheehan/R.Hickey)

CRUISERS 3 - 1. Supernova (K.Lawless et al), 2. Asterix (J.Counihan/F.Meredith), 3. Cries of Passion (Bryan Maguire)

CRUISERS 4 - 1. Ghrazel (Charles Pearson), 2. Rascal (K.Burke/S.Milner)

DRAGON Race 2- 1. Chiang (Iain Finnegan), 2. Zu (P.Dee et al), 3. Zinzan (Daniel O'Connor et al)

DRAGON Race 1- 1. Susele (Michael Halpenny), 2. Phantom (D.Williams/P.Bowring), 3. Zu (P.Dee et al)

FIREBALL Race 1- 1. Licence to Thrill (Louis Smyth), 2. Blind Squirrel (Frank Miller), 3. Elevation (N.Colin/M.Casey)

FIREBALL Race 2- 1. Licence to Thrill (Louis Smyth), 2. Blind Squirrel (Frank Miller)

FLYING FIFTEEN Race 1- 1. Hy5ive (D & S Gorman), 2. Snow White (Frank Burgess), 3. The Gruffalo (Keith Poole)

FLYING FIFTEEN Race 2- 1. Hy5ive (D & S Gorman), 2. Rollercoaster (Tom Murphy), 3. The Gruffalo (Keith Poole)

GLEN - 1. Glenluce (D & R O'Connor), 2. Glenshesk (L.Faulkner et al), 3. Glengesh (G.Sands/B.O'Connor)

IDRA 14 FOOT Race 1- 1. Dunmoanin (Frank Hamilton), 2. Sapphire (Lorcan O'Sullivan), 3. Dart (Pierre Long)

IDRA 14 FOOT Race 2- 1. Dunmoanin (Frank Hamilton), 2. Dart (Pierre Long)

MERMAID Race 1- 1. Jill (P.Smith/P.Mangan), 2. Kim (D Cassidy), 3. Aideen (B.Martin/D.Brennan)

MERMAID Race 2- 1. Jill (P.Smith/P.Mangan), 2. Kim (D Cassidy), 3. Aideen (B.Martin/D.Brennan)

PY CLASS - 1. Brendan McConville (Wayfarer)

RUFFIAN 23 - 1. Ruff N Ready (Ann Kirwan et al), 2. Diane ll (Bruce Carswell), 3. Ruff Nuff (D & C Mitchell)

SIGMA 33 Race 1- 1. White Mischief (Timothy Goodbody), 2. Rupert (R.Lovegrove/P.Varian), 3. Pippa lV (G.Kinsman/K.Blake/M.O'Brien)

SIGMA 33 Race 2- 1. White Mischief (Timothy Goodbody), 2. Rupert (R.Lovegrove/P.Varian), 3. Pippa lV (G.Kinsman/K.Blake/M.O'Brien)

SQUIB Race 1- 1. Femme Fatale (Joe O'Byrne), 2. Nimble (Brian O'Hare), 3. Periguin (N.Coakley/J.Redahan)

SQUIB Race 2- 1. Nimble (Brian O'Hare), 2. Perfection (Jill Fleming), 3. Femme Fatale (Joe O'Byrne)

WHITE SAIL CRUISERS Echo - 1. Finnegans Wake (T.Rowlands et al), 2. Windshift (R O'Flynn et al), 3. The Great Escape (P & D Rigney)

WHITE SAIL CRUISERS - 1. Calypso (Howard Knott), 2. Act Two (Michael O'Leary et al), 3. Windshift (R O'Flynn et al)

Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey T.D. today announced the launch of a national ports policy review with the publication of a consultation document. 

There are ten State commercial port companies established and operating pursuant to the terms of the Harbours Acts 1996 - 2009; Cork, Drogheda, Dublin, Dundalk, Dún Laoghaire, Galway, New Ross, Shannon Foynes, Waterford and Wicklow.

It is estimated that approximately 99% by volume of all goods traded into and out of Ireland are handled at our ports. Dublin Port is the State's biggest port handling approximately 44% of all tonnage in 2009. Cork and Shannon Foynes were the second and third biggest ports respectively in 2009.

Today's consultation document provides stakeholders with an opportunity to help shape future ports policy.

Speaking today Minister Dempsey said; "In 2005 our national Ports Policy Statement outlined national ports policy in a single document for the first time. Since then the commercial, technological, and regulatory environment in which Irish ports operate has changed dramatically, both domestically and globally. It is now time to carry out a review of this policy framework to ensure that our ports are properly positioned for the future.

Since 2005 our ports have experienced both record highs and more recently sharp declines in tonnage throughput. The ports face considerable challenges and it is important that national policy helps address these. The indications are that the country's return to economic growth will be export led. In this regard, it is vital that the ports are in a position to facilitate this and to make their contribution to improving national competitiveness.

I would encourage all interested parties to engage fully in this important consultation process."

The consultation document provides an overview of developments in the sector since 2005 and poses a number of questions on the continued validity and future direction of national ports policy.

Important issues addressed in the document include planning and funding future port developments, the role ports have to play in delivering the "Smarter Travel" agenda, competition within the sector and the corporate governance regime for port companies.

The public consultation period is scheduled to continue until Friday 29th October 2010.

The full Consultation Document is available for download below

To make a submission click HERE

Read Tom MacSweeney's Island Nation blog on the importance of ports HERE

HOWTH YACHT CLUB. SEPT MINI WED (RACE) 01/09/2010 Class 1 IRC: 1, Crazy Horse Reilly/Chambers; 2, Makutu Doyle/Others; 3, Storm P Kelly; Class 1 HPH: 1, Makutu Doyle/Others; 2, Crazy Horse Reilly/Chambers; 3, Storm P Kelly; Class 2 IRC: 1, Impetuous Noonan/Chambers; 2, Sunburn I Byrne; 3, Superhero Burne/Banahan; Class 2 HPH: 1, Impetuous Noonan/Chambers; 2, MiniMumm Cobbe/McDonald; 3, Jokers Wild G Knaggs; Class 3 IRC: 1, Gecko K Darmody; 2, Starlet Bourke/Others; 3, Holly B MacMahon; Class 3 HPH: 1, Gecko K Darmody; 2, Rossinver C Scott; 3, Midnight Sun Bolger/Others; White Sails HPH: 1, Cu na Mara C Brown; 2, Force Five R & J McAllister; 3, Cogar K & C Halpin; White Sails IRC: 1, Alphida H Byrne; 2, Force Five R & J McAllister; 3, Savarna Burke/Curtis

The elegant lines of the veteran cruiseship, Princess Daphne of 16,335grt, is due to dock in Dublin Port tomorrow morning (2 Sept) , writes Jehan Ashmore. The 55 year-old vessel was originally built as a general-refrigerated cargo ship or 'reefer' to carry meat and had a limited accommodation for only 12 passengers.

The vessel was launched as Port Sydney in 1955 from Swan Hunter and Wigham Richardson Yards, Wallsend-on-Tyne for Port Line, a subsidiary of Cunard Line. With five cargo holds, the vessel served both the meat trade and carried passengers on liner-route services between the UK and New Zealand and Australia via the Panama Canal.

In 1974, Port Sydney underwent a radical conversion into a luxury passenger cruise ship, despite the exterior appearance the vessel retains a pleasant profile compared to many modern cruiseships. Over the decades the vessel had different owners and several vessel name changes; Daphne, Switzerland and Ocean Monarch.

The most refit was in 2008 and the ship still retains the largest cabins found on any cruise ship today, of the 241 cabins. With spacious cabins for only 550 passengers and attractive appointed public areas and wide exterior decks, the veteran provides a form of cruising that would appeal to classic cruise aficionados around the world.

With a strong and sturdy hull, the vessel has a deep draft which is well suited to an ocean going vessel in handling inclement weather, though the large draft does restrict visiting certain ports and anchorage locations.

Sistership, Princess Danae, formerly Port Melbourne, was also built in 1955 with the second newbuild ordered to the famous Belfast shipbuilders, Harland & Wolff. Princess Danae is slightly smaller at 15,833grt and also made a recent call in Dublin. The sisters form part of a six vessel fleet operated by Classic International Cruises.

Princess Daphne is due to arrive in Dublin after an overnight passage from Plymouth, docking at 08.00 and depart the capital at 17.45hrs. In addition the port expects another cruise-call tomorrow in the form of Prinsendam of 37,983 grt and with over a 800-passenger capacity. The Dutch flagged vessel is operated by Holland America Line and is due to dock around mid-moring and depart at 23.30hrs.

DUBLIN PORT Dublin Bay Sailing Club Results for 31 AUGUST 2010

BENETEAU 31.7 - 1. Fiddly Bits (Kevin Byrne et al), 2. Attitude (D.Owens/T.Milner)

CRUISERS 1 - 1. Jalapeno (Dermod Baker et al), 2. Something Else (J.Hall et al), 3. Powder Monkey (C.Moore/M.Byrne)

CRUISERS 3 - 1. Cacciatore (Anne O'Callaghan et al), 2. Chouskikou (R.Sheehan/R.Hickey), 3. Rattler 2 (Austin Whelan)

CRUISERS 4 - 1. Ghrazel (Charles Pearson), 2. Artemis (J.Giles), 3. Maranda (Myles Kelly)

FIREBALL - 1. Blind Squirrel (Frank Miller), 2. Incubus (S Oram), 3. Goodness Gracious (Louise McKenna)

GLEN - 1. Glenmarissa (F.Elmes/W.Higgins), 2. Glenluce (D & R O'Connor)

IDRA 14 FOOT - 1. Dunmoanin (Frank Hamilton)

MERMAID - 1. Aideen (B.Martin/D.Brennan), 2. Kim (D Cassidy), 3. Oonagh (J&M Griffith)

PY CLASS - 1. J Toomey/N Byrne (Laser Vago), 2. Brendan McConville (Wayfarer)

RUFFIAN 23 - 1. Cresendo (L Balfe), 2. Alias (D.Meeke/M.McCarthy), 3. The Sting (Richard O'Keefe et al)

SIGMA 33 - 1. Pippa lV (G.Kinsman/K.Blake/M.O'Brien), 2. White Mischief (Timothy Goodbody), 3. Rupert (R.Lovegrove/P.Varian)

SQUIB - 1. Tais (Michael O'Connell), 2. Periguin (N.Coakley/J.Redahan), 3. Coorse & Fine (W.Goodbody)

Due to very big spring tides careful sailing and passage planning will be required for the last ISORA race on the 11th September from Pwllheli to Howth. More details attached.