"We Worked with Shane Hughes from North Sails from the Outset" - North Sails Ireland Congratulates ICRA Boat Of the Year "Snapshot"

14th November 2022

Maurice O'Connell

Promoted

IRC 1 winner 'Snapshot' flying her North Sails A2.5 and North Sails 3Di RAW Mainsail Credit: Bob Bateman/Afloat

Mike & Richie Evans have had a stunning two seasons aboard their 100% North Sails-powered "Snapshot".

Their very first inshore regatta in 2021 was the hotly contested Sovereign's Cup in Kinsale in June 2021 - which they blitzed the fleet, winning IRC 1 and overall Boat of the Regatta.

They followed this with a 3rd overall in IRC 1 at the ICRA Nationals in September 2021 in Dun Laoghaire.

"Snapshot" finishing 3rd overall at the 2021 ICRA Nationals in the National Yacht Club, Dun Laoghaire Photo: Afloat

This year, in a true test of all-round competitiveness, they headed offshore on the 704-mile SSE Renewables Round Ireland Race - NARROWLY missing the overall win by a margin of only five minutes. They "survived a bashing", in Mike's own words.

"Snapshot" rounding Wicklow lighthouse soon after the Round Ireland start in June 2022 Photo: Afloat

They also finished 2nd overall in WAVE Regatta this year after John Minnis and his great team on their A35 "Final Call" - also powered 100% by North Sails.

Finally, they won the Beshoff Motors Autumn League in their home club of Howth last month.

Speaking just after being awarded the ICRA 2022 "Boat Of The Year", co-owner Mike Evans said:-

"My brother Richard and I had the pleasure of working on our J99 project with Shane Hughes from North Sails Ireland from the outset. Shane and the North Sails team helped us configure the yacht to perform in a wide variety of conditions, and we wanted the option to be able to compete offshore with the Round Ireland in mind. We have found good performance with our sail inventory upwind and downwind but also noticed the sails longevity and durability, having survived a bashing off the southwest coast in murderous conditions this year. There is also ongoing design refinement and optimisation, which is necessary to remain competitive, which is interesting and exciting."

HUGE congratulations to Mike, Richie and the "Snapshot" team from us here at North Sails Ireland. Your team are a pleasure to work with, and we look forward to helping you go FASTer in 2023

Published in North Sails Ireland

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LOFT INFO

Cork

Cois Chuain
O'Regan's Field
Myrtleville, Cork P43 V997
353 0212061769

SPECIALITIES

Bend on / Bend off, Canvas, Certified Service, Sail Hardware Upgrades, Sail Inspection / Evaluation, Sail Measurement, Sail Repair, Sail Storage, Sail Washing

HOURS

Weekdays

09:00 – 17:30

Wicklow

The Boatyard
Sea Road, Newcastle Wicklow
Leinster A63DT26 Ireland
0838103539

SPECIALITIES

Certified Service, Sail Repair

Hours

Weekdays

08:30 – 17:30

NORTH SAILS EXPERTS

Nigel Young

Loft Manager, One Design Expert
[email protected]

Shane Hughes

One Design Expert, Sales Person
[email protected]

Maurice O’Connell

One Design Expert, Sales Person
[email protected]

Published in North Sails Ireland

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North Sails Ireland

About The Author

Maurice O'Connell

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Maurice 'Prof' O'Connell is a partner in North Sails Ireland. He is also a professional sailor, sailing & life/business coach and sailing media analyst/commentator.

In 2018 he again won his class in the Round Ireland Race and in 2019 finished 2nd in the Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race - 10 years after he won it!

Also in 2019, he was providing expert commentary and analysis in studio for the SSL Star Europeans in Garda, Italy and SSL finals in Nassau.

Full bio here.

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