Lough Derg Yacht Club are all set to put on the opening leg of the Irish Match Racing Tour this weekend. With 8 to 11 kts of breeze and sunshine forecast it looks like being a perfect weekends racing for the 9 teams entered.
All the venues for Tour legs have a different character and put a focus on a different aspect of match racing. The open water condition in Howth mean that boat speed is to the fore, being first to the first shift is a premium in Dublin Bay and tidal considerations dominate in Cork. With racing at Lough Derg held in Dromineer Bay with in sight of the club house the short courses and flat water mean a focus on the prestart and the teams that show the required aggression will be expected to come to the fore.
John Sheehy is back for 2010 with a largely unchanged team from last year. Marty O’Learys absence sees regular 2009 stand in Nicky Smith come in at sheet hand with Darragh O’Connor moving to bow. Andrew Fowler is one of the teams to benefit from Tom Fizpatricks absence. He picks up RC44 regular David McHugh as sheet hand.
The North Sails Ireland team is unchanged from a strong showing at last years nationals with Prof O’Connell, Eoin Leehy, John Downey and Bryan Byrne on board. As is the MadMatch Racing team of Ben Duncan, Ric Morris, Ryan Scott and Richie Murphy who back up their 2nd place at the Nationals with a 10 wins 0 loss victory at the Portroe Cup at the same venue 2 weeks ago.
Mahon Racing has a complete reshuffle for the first events with John Curtin, Cxema Peico and Gavin Llynch-Farhil teaming up with skipper Martin Mahon.
Having missed out on the Nations due to missing last years opening event Conal Casey and Elmo Graham are ready to rock. 2007 All Ireland Sailing Champion Stefan Hyde is a welcome addition to the Tour for 2010 and George Kingston arrives with a sun tan having spent the winter coaching Aussie laser sailors.
The Tour has begun to attract significant attention from UK teams and Radley College have entered a team, skippered by Henry Barker.
