Victory was hard fought for Barry Cunningham and his team at the J109 National Championship on Dublin Bay last weekend.
The team felt they underperformed in Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta so it was fantastic for this one to go their way against a very tough fleet.
Their 2, 3, 2, 5, 1, 1 was impressive to say the least, winning by a 4-point margin from Pat Kelly's team on "Storm II" and Nicky Smyth's team (standing in for owner John Maybury) on "Joker II".
Here are a few onboard videos of the team training on Friday night in the rain before the start of the event...........as the great golfer Arnold Palmer said, "The more I practice, the luckier I get!"
"Chimaera" roll tacking in Dun Laoghaire Harbour before the J109 Nationals - video: Maurice O'Connell / North Sails Ireland
"Chimaera" kite set practice - video: Maurice O'Connell / North Sails Ireland
"Chimaera" gybing practice - video: Maurice O'Connell / North Sails Ireland
From our perspective here at North Sails, we were especially delighted because her sail inventory is far from new but is still delivering outstanding performance.
For the event, "Chimaera" flew only three sails, which were.....
- A2 - 2019 - A-Grade Contender Composite Superkote 60 / 75
- Mainsail - 2018 - 3Di RAW 760
- Code 1 Jib - 2018 - 3Di RAW 780
Congratulations to the "Chimaera" team of:-
- Andrew Abbott - bow
- Rose Tyrrell - mid-bow
- Red Power - mast
- Hazel Rea - pit
- Alan Crosbie - Mainsheet
- Max Goodbody - trimmer
- Adam Hyland - trimmer
- Nevan Powell - tactician
- Barry Cunningham - helm and owner
From your North Sails Ireland team of Nigel, Shane and myself............
..........Sail FAST.