After 3 very intense days of international competition at the Dennis Connor International Yacht Club Challenge, the Irish teams consisting of Royal Cork Yacht Club finished 3rd, Howth Yacht club finished 5th overall beating some very talented opposition including the two local Manhattan Yacht Club teams.
The event was sailed in a fleet of J24's and the RCYC boat was skippered by Stefan Hyde and the Howth Boat by Emma McDonald.

In fact if it was not for a penalty after a collision in race 4 (Under Regatta rules, if a collision occurs, both boats have to do turns no matter who is in the right / wrong) and the cancellation of race 7 on the last beat due to a approaching thunderstorm - podium positions for both teams could have beckoned.

The regatta was sailed in the very busy waters of the Hudson river in New York City which along with the challenges of avoiding commercial traffic, some of the strongest currents that the crew have ever experienced had to be negotiated in varied winds from 5knts on the opening day to 30knts plus during approaching thunderstorms on the final day. The 3rd Irish team; Wexford Harbour Yacht and Tennis Club finished in 10th place.

The event was won by the team from Switzerland - Societe Nautique Rolloise followed one point behind by USA - Southern Yacht Club and then a fantastic 3rd place by the Irish team from Royal Cork skippered by Stefan Hyde.

It is tradition on presentation night that each team presents to the team that finishes behind them in the final results a humourous prize.
4th place Austrian team presented the HYC team with "Lederhosen".

Howth Yacht Club also presented Commodore Michael Fortenbaugh of Manhattan Sailing Club and Dennis Connor (Americas Cup Hero) with HYC Burgees.

A fantastic event in a wonderful city that certainly promoted international goodwill through friendly competition.

"Lough Ree always had the water and the boats - They just needed the weather!" was the comment from Commodore of Lough Ree Yacht Club; Frank Murray.
Summer certainly obliged with blue skies, blazing sunshine, 24 degrees and moderate breeze on the Saturday 19th June and 27 degrees and light breeze on the Sunday 20th June for the J24 Western Championship 2010 held this year in Lough Ree Yacht Club.

Principal Race Officer for the Event; Derek Bothwell ran 6 windward/leeward races for the 16 boat fleet with notable visitors to Lough Ree of Stefan Hyde on "Nautigirl", Brian McDowell on "Scandal", Robin Eagleson in "Luder Too", Michael McCaldin, "Murder Picture",  Flor O'Driscoll on "Hard on Port" and Emma McDonald who had never sailed a J24 prior to this event, borrowed local boat "Jaws".

Very close racing ensued with Flor ODriscoll taking the over all championship on 12 points, with local, Andrew Mannion in "Jeb Stuart" taking 2nd place on 16 points and first time J24 sailor Emma McDonald from Howth in 3rd place just one point behind.

A fantastic regatta that will be remembered for the hospitality of Lough Ree Yacht Club, the great racing and strangely for Ireland the fantastic summer weather.

Tight racing at the Leeward Mark - Lough Ree

L-R - Flor O'Driscoll, J24 Western Champion 2010, Frank Murray, Commodore LRYC, Robin Eagleson, President, IJCA-IRL
Photos courtesy of Alison Miles