Today, Thursday, due to lack of wind in Church Bay, Holyhead, the Squib fleet had to wait more than an hour for the wind to settle writes Vincent Delany. Initially the wind was too light to start the fourth championship race, and then the wind direction was flicking between 300 and 320 degrees. When the wind had built to about seven knots, David Lovegrove, PRO for the 43 boat Squib Fleet, laid the course, signalled a start, and sent the fleet away. Remarkably there were no recalls.

On the first beat the boats which selected the north side of the course parallel to the cliff shore, appeared to be doing well, but as the approached the windward mark it was evident that those who had taken the southerly route were first to arrive at the windward mark of the two-lap windward-leeward course, led by Ian Gray, of Londen and Gray sails in ‘Chequemate’, who pulled out a great lead which he was able to hold for the run and he maintained a good margin from the fleet on the second beat. It appeared that tide at the start line was running north-east, while the tide at the windward mark was running south-west.

The race area was located in a tidal eddy created by the Skerries and the adjoining headland. The race concluded at the bottom of the second run. Second place went to David Lloyd and Mark Stones in ‘Incendio’ and third place to championship leader, ‘Squib’ sailed by Dick Batt and Pamela Phelan, in the 49 year old Squib, No. 11, which is the first production built Squib ever.

There was a short break before the fifth race with the same tidal conditions, but with a wind never exceeding eight knots and often dropping down to three knots.
On the first beat it was so difficult to maintain momentum on the Squibs in the light airs, that one competitor was heard afterward to say “I hope I was concentrating more when the Squib was going slowly, than it was when the Squib was moving well”. It was a day when concentration on boat speed was necessary. On the first beat, most of the fleet headed uptide towards the Holyhead breakwater, but at the end of the beat, it appeared that keeping the boats moving well in clear air was more important than strategy. On the first run, led by ‘Ric O’Shea’ and ‘Aquabat’ who were sailing a private Match Race, the fleet spread very wide. On the second beat, most of the fleet again headed towards the breakwater where there was a chance of a lee bow on the tide. However, they had little breeze, and the wind was stronger offshore which benefitted the Squibs which headed to the right. At the second windward mark, the order of competitors was turned upside down. The next run was in very light air and strengthening tide. It paid to sail straight down the rhumb line of the .7 mile leg, until the final 300m when the tide was reversed, and then it paid to point 15 degrees above the rhumb line to fight the tide. The second race was shortened to two laps, due to the declining wind. The finishing order was: 1st ‘Ric O’Shea’, 2nd, ‘Aquabat’, 3rd. ‘Chequemate’.

Over the five races to date, there have been five different race winners, from northern, eastern, southern and western coasts of the UK, with three different sailmakers, and hulls which are both low numbers (under 150) and high numbers (over 750). There is, therefore, no question but that the winners have won races in this elite fleet due to sailing skill, and not due to deep pockets, or the ‘right’ equipment.

Irish results to date:

Pamela Phelan- Squib- 2,6,3, 3, (15) - 2nd overall.

Periquin- Vincent Delany & Noel Colclough- 6,30, 21, (31) 11. - 19th overall. winners of silver fleet for race 4 and 'Dick of the Day'

Allegro- Colm Dunne & Colm Daly- 25, 21, (26), 26, 7- 25th overall

Volante- Simon Watson & Brian Kelly- 27, (31), 10, 28, 20- 27th Overall and winner of 28th place prize.

Overall Championship Results after five races:
1st. ‘Ric O’Shea’ Josh Metcalf and Mark Hogan, with 14 points.
2nd. ‘Squib’ Dick Batt and Pamela Phelan, with 14 points.
3rd. ‘Aquabat’ Mike Probert and Steve Warren-Smith.

Today, Wednesday, was a difficult day for David Lovegrove, Howth Yacht Club, PRO for the 43–boat Squib fleet at their annual National Championships in Holyhead, Wales writes Vincent Delany.

It was planned to hold one race today, as the race programme is now on schedule. However, at 11.30 hrs., when the competitors were about to rig their Squibs, the wind seemed to be on a Merry-Go-‘Round, at one time from the north east, then from the south etc. Competitors were thus asked not to rig, until further instruction. By 12.30 hrs there was a good wind in Holyhead harbour, but it did not extend into the bay. By 14.00hrs the wind was filling in, with up to 6 knots in Holyhead Bay.

The boats were rigged and headed out to the course, only to find that the wind had disappeared again.

When the Squibs came ashore they had to satisfy themselves with some RC racing at Holyhead Sailing Club.

The overall Squib Championship results stand at:
1st. ‘Squib’ Dick Batt and Pamela Phelan, with 12 points.
2nd. ‘Cariad Bach’ Alan Johnson and David Garlick, with 14 points.
3rd. ‘Ric O’Shea’ Josh Metcalf and Mark Hogan, with 17 points.
Racing continues with two races tomorrow, and one on Friday.

What a stunning days sailing was had in Holyhead today, for the 43 boat Squib fleet, who sailed two races on Tuesday, to compensate for having lost a race yesterday due to lack of wind writes Vincent Delany.

In race two of the series, David Lovegrove the PRO laid an even start line. The tide was ebbing, but it turned out not to be a significant aspect of the race. The fleet were evenly spread on the start line. Half of the fleet headed out on starboard tack on a heading of 350 degrees, while the rest of the fleet headed towards the cliffs, but when the latter tacked, just short of the lay line they found that they were heading at 004 degrees, benefitting from the wind bend coming off the shore. Despite the race consisting of two spinnaker reaching legs, and a spinnaker run, in a dying tide, the changes in boat position were relatively few. This seems to show that boat speed among the entire fleet is remarkably similar. The final placings in this race were:

1^st. ‘Humphrey’ sailed by Robert Coyle and Mark Rawinsky, from Royal Corinthian Yacht Club.

2^nd. ‘Aquabat’ sailed by Mike Probert and Steve Warren Smith, from Royal Victoria Yacht Club.

3^rd.  ‘Ric O’Shea’ sailed by Josh Metcalf and Mark Hogan, from South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club. 

After a quick lunch afloat, the fleet went back into a starting sequence for race three. The PRO decided to ‘Name and Shame’ one of the Squibs which was over the start line at 40 seconds before the gun, it was ‘Cariad Bach’. Eventually a clean start was achieved, on the third attempt to start, which was under a black flag. Again, the fleet split left and right. The advantage of heading to the cliffs was not as significant as previously. The leaders who were bunched, were ‘Squib’, ‘Cariad Bach’ and ‘Insatiable’.  This time the race was a windward-leeward race, a race type which some people feel is lacking in opportunities for the boats behind. On the second time reaching the leeward gate, Nigel and Jack Grogan in ‘Helmut Shoing II’ who were lying in about 5^th place, took the brave move of heading for the starboard gate mark, because he had realised that the tide had turned. This brave move presented him with the lead in the race. Not a small lead, but at least 20 boat lengths from ‘Cariad Bach’.  On the third and final run, much of the fleet thought that they were following the Grogans, and failed to go through the gate on their way to the finish line. When they saw ‘Cariad Bach’ crossing the fleet on starboard, they were jolted them out of their sheep like behaviour, and reached up to the final gate before finishing.

At the finish the placing was:

1^st. ‘Helmut Shoing’ Nigel and Jack Grogan from Royal Corinthian Yacht Club.

2^nd. ‘Cariad Bach’ Alan Johnson and David Garlick from South Caernarfonshire Y.C.

3^rd. ‘Insatiable’ John and Lou Bibby from Treaddur Bay Sailing Club.

With three races sailed, many competitors are carrying remarkably high and low placings , but the top three boats in the overall rankings, which are showing some consistence in the competitive fleet, are all using Batt Sails, which can be no coincidence.

1^st. ‘Squib’ Dick Batt and Pamela Phelan, with 2, 6, and 4 placings.

2^nd. ‘Cariad Bach’ Alan Johnson and David Garlick, with 5, 7 and 2^nd. placings.

3^rd. ‘Ric O’Shea’ Josh Metcalf and Mark Hogan,  with 7, 3, and 7^th. placings.

In the silver fleet,  Noel Colclough and Vincent Delany’s ‘Periquin’ lead with 6, 30 and 22^nd. Placings.

In the Bronze fleet, Philip Barnes and David Thomas in ‘Atomic’ lead with 12, 14 and 9^th placings.

Racing continues tomorrow with one race.

Following a protest in race three between ‘Ric o’Shea’ and ‘Helmut Shoing’ who won that race, the  overall results have been amended as follows:

Race 3, results was:

1 st . ‘Cariad Bach’ Alan Johnson and David Garlick from South Caernarfonshire Y.C.

2 nd . ‘Insatiable’ John and Lou Bibby from Treaddur Bay Sailing Club.

3 rd . ‘Squib’ Dick Batt and Pam Phelan from

With three races sailed, many competitors are carrying remarkably high and low placings , but the

top three boats in the overall rankings, which are showing some consistence in the competitive fleet,

are all using Batt Sails, which can be no coincidence.

1 st . ‘Squib’ Dick Batt and Pamela Phelan, with 2, 6, and 3 placings.

2 nd . ‘Cariad Bach’ Alan Johnson and David Garlick, with 5, 7 and 1 st . placings.

3 rd . ‘Ric O’Shea’ Josh Metcalf and Mark Hogan, with 7, 3, and 6 th . placings.

Today was what can be called a ‘shoe sailing day’ because Squib sailors normally wear boots when they are racing, but today the champagne conditions in Holyhead Bay for the 45 Squibs racing in their annual championships were so perfect, that the sailors were able to wear shoes and tea shirts in the bright sunshine.

The practice race was ‘a trick’ laid by the OOD, David Lovegrove of Howth Yacht Club. The competitors had two options on their first beat, head out into the foul tide where the wind was stronger, or head inshore where both the wind and tide were lighter. Those who headed inshore were lifted, lifted, lifted, while those who headed out to sea, were headed until they could easily lay the windward mark. That race was won by the offshore group led by ‘Brimstone’ sailed by Bryan and Jenny Riley from the Waveney and Oulton Broad Sailing Club. Second was Malcolm Hutchings in ‘Lady Penelope’ from the Royal Corinthian Sailing Club, and Robert Coyle in ‘Humphrey’ from the same club.

Were these Squibs setting the pattern for the week? Where were the previous championship winners?

The practice race was followed by the first championship race. The fleet did not make things easy for OOD David Lovegrove. At the first start, half the fleet were over the start line with 30 seconds to go, despite the foul tide. On the second attempt to start on the ‘P’ flag ‘Aquabat’ positioned himself about two boat-lengths OCS, and the entire fleet sailed up to join him. Again it was a general recall. On the third attempt, under the ‘U’ flag, the fleet got away, without any recalls, in a relatively stable wind of 6-8 knots from the south.

At the first windward mark, .7 of a mile uptide from the start line, veteran Squib sailors and sailmakers Dick Batt and Pamela Phelan from the Royal Victoria Yacht Club led the fleet in the oldest Squib in the fleet, appropriately named ‘Squib’. Behind them were Gerard Dyson and Tony Saltonstall from Royal Yorkshire Yacht Club in ‘Alchemy’, John and Lou Bibby in ‘Insatiable’ and Nigel and Jack Grogan in ‘Helmut Shoing II’ and about 3 others. It was at this stage of the race that it was realised that (unlike the practice race) heading towards the shore, and out of the tide, was the only way to go. There was a battle of wits between this small group of lead boats. On the first run ‘Alchemy‘ played the tide to greater advantage, and reduced ‘Squib’s’ lead to almost nothing.

After three beats and three runs the finishing order was:
1st. No. 800 ‘Alchemy’, Gerard Dyson and Tony Saltonstall. RYYC.
2nd. No.11, ‘Squib’ Dick batt and Pamela Phelan, RVYC.
3rd. No. 47, John and Lou Bibby, Treaddur Bay Sailing Club.
In the Silver fleet:
1st. ‘Periquin’ with Noel Colclough and Vincent Delany, DMYC.
In the Bronze fleet:
1st. ‘Atomic’, Philip Barnes and David Thomas, Treaddur Bay Sailing Club.

For full results see Holyhead Sailing Club website.

Racing continues tomorrow with race two of the six race National championship.

Holyhead Sailing Club are the Welsh club hosting this year’s premier event for the National Squibs from Britain and Europe, from 17th – 23rd June 2017. The Championships has not been held at Holyhead since 2004, and, to date, there are 43 entries, with more boats still expected to arrive. The majority of Squib keelboats entered come from Wales, with ten from South Caernarvonshire Y. C. and nine from the home club. From outside Brexitland, Periquin and Allegro will be representing the European Union.

This is the first championship, since the RYA authorised the Rondar 19 to compete at National Squib Class events. Both competitors, and Squib owners around the country, will be very interested to see how the two Rondar built, self draining, sandwich foam constructed boats perform. Tony Gibson and Eric Lee’s No. 900 ‘Top Dog’ and Andrew Moore and Peter Hallinan’s no. 905 ‘TBC’ are the two new boats to watch.
This season Malcolm Hutchings and Andy Ramsey in No. 819 ‘Lady Penelope’ showed great form by winning the Squib Gold Cup at the RCYC Burnham over the May Bank Holiday.

Last year’s Championship winners were Nigel and Jack Grogan. Unfortunately, the RYA have ruled their boat No. 881 ‘reHydrated’ out of class, by virtue of its forward buoyancy bulkhead, so Nigel and Jack will be sailing No. 105 ‘Helmut Schoing II’ which is just as fast. In 2004, the Holyhead championships were won by Chris and Mark Hogan’s No. 136 ‘Ric O’Shea’, who still hold the record for more championship wins in ‘Ric O’Shea’ than anybody else. Unfortunately, Chris passed away, within the past 12 months, so the boat will be sailed by Josh Metcalf crewed by the formidable Mark Hogan- another great pairing.

Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club together with sponsor Rodgers and Browne Estate Agents hosted the 2017 Squib Northern Championship over the weekend of May 27/28. Race Officer Niney did well to complete the full 5 races in light and tricky conditions. After postponing the start of race one, it got underway with Prodigal sailed by Bell/McCleave taking the honours.

Race two saw visiting Killyleagh boat Slipstream sailed by Ferris/Marshall win and become the over night leaders. Sunday started with a dying breeze for race three, making difficult work for Inshallah sailed by Eccles/Hutchinson with the first win of the day. With more stable sea breeze filling in, Fagin sailed by Patterson/Nolan took race four. With five boats still able to win the event going into the final race, it came down to the wire.

Toy for the Boys sailed by Wallace/Weatherstone won race 5, which boosted them to take second overall from Inshallah in third, but Fagin's second in that race was enough to win the event. Thanks to all the organisers, sponsor and volunteers for a great weekend.

The Kinsale Keelboat Regatta for one design fleets took place in Kinsale Yacht Club this weekend and Kinsale was delighted to welcome visiting Dragons from Glandore Harbour Yacht Club writes Michele Kennelly

Nine Dragons and twelve Squibs took to the waters on Saturday under grey skies and extremely blustery easterly winds. RO John Stallard made the wise decision to keep the fleets within the outer harbour. With winds peaking at 21 knots and choppy waters the 3 races provided a challenging day for the fleets.

Little Fella with Cameron Good, Simon Furney and Henry Kingston mastered the heavy conditions to take line honours in all 3 races. New to the fleet Serafina with Daniel Murphy, Brian Goggin and Mathias Hellstern were hot on their heels and were 2nd for all three races. Tenacious with Anthony O’Neill, Albert O’Neill and Eoghan O’Neill put in a very solid performance of 3, 4, 3 to end the day lying 3rd overall.
In the Squib fleet Allegro with Colm Dunne and Rob Gill were also masters of the waves to take 1st in all three races. Sensation, Denis and Brid Cudmore, Breakaway, David Matthews and Elizabeth Bond and Flora, Dave Ross and Bobby Nash battled it out on the course with Sensation just 1 point ahead of Breakaway at day’s end to lie in 2nd place overall.

Day two and conditions could not have been more different. Blue skies and no wind greeted the fleets as they rigged for another 3 races. With most of the fleet under tow by the Committee Boat and supports RIBs they arrived to the outer harbour to 5 – 6 knots out of the South East. RO John hopped aboard a RIB and went outside the harbour to see if there was more wind outside to discover there was none so he very wisely made the decision to stay in the outer harbour and take advantage of the local sea breeze.

In the Dragon fleet Race 4 saw Little Fella continue to his run of 1st’s with Mar J, Adrian Bendon, Eoghan O’Mahony and Bill Applebe in 2nd and Grey Hare, Shawn Kingston, Tony Kingston and Luke Kedney in 3rd. With the wind shifting to the east the Committee Boat moved and reset the course. Race 5 saw Mar J get off to a flying start which they capitalised on and they took line honours with Serafina in 2nd and

Aphrodite, John Wyles, Peter Hayes and Arthur Mehigan in 3rd. The light airs were bouncing all over the harbour and the Committee Boat had to move again to reset the course for the final race. Race 6 started under very light airs and Aphrodite took advantage of the middle of the course to take control from the start. Little Fella took 2nd and Mar J came 3rd.

In the Squib fleet Allegro continued her dominance in Race 4. Breakaway came 2nd and Pulpo, Julie Silfverberg and Commodore Tom Roche were 3rd. Race 5 saw three boats OCS and all returned. Those who decided to sail up the right side of the harbour made huge gains on the fleet and dominated the race from the first rounding of the windward mark. Sensation took the line with Bateleur, John & Mary Stanley, in 2nd and Allegro 3rd. Race 6 saw Pulpo coming down the run with Allegro closing in, Breakaway was lying in 3rd and Sensation was 4th. Though the title was secure the minor placings were still all to play for. Allegro won with Breakaway in 2nd and Pulpo in 3rd. Breakaway and Sensation finished the Regatta on equal points but Sensation came 2nd overall on count back.

Many thanks to RO John Stallard who provided excellent racing in very challenging conditions, Ger Grant for providing Loa Zour as Committee Boat and being an excellent Flag Raiser, Michele Kennelly timing and results, Mark Layers Mike, Finbarr, Tony and Luca and Barry Ryan Civil Engineering for the sponsorship.

Kinsale Keelboat Regatta overall results:
Dragons:
1st Little Fella – Cameron Good, Simon Furney & Henry Kingston
2nd Serafina – Daniel Murphy, Brian Goggin & Mathias Hellstern
3rd Mary J – Adrian Bendon, Eoghan O’Mahony & Bill Applebe
Squibs:
1st Allegro – Colm Dunne & Rob Gill
2nd Sensation – Denis & Brid Cudmore
3rd Breakaway – David Matthews & Elizabeth Bond

On the weekend of 6-7 May, Nigel and Jack Grogan (Current UK Squib National Champions and directors of Hyde Sails) came to Ireland to coach members of the Irish Squib Forum writes Vincent Delany. The coaching took place at the Royal St George Yacht Club, and in Dun Laoghaire Harbour.

In addition to large numbers of Dun Laoghaire based sailors, we had visitors from the Belfast Lough Squib Fleet, from Wexford, Lough Derg and Howth fleets.

We started with indoor coaching on Saturday evening, when the weather outside was bitterly cold with the second continuous week of north eastern gales.

What was learned on Saturday was put into practice on Sunday morning, in bright sunshine but no wind. All the Squibs, both privately owned boats and club boats, were checked for rig setup, general equipment, and race preparation.

Current thinking on rig tension is radically different from what was in fashion a few years ago, and sail design has been modified accordingly.

On Sunday afternoon, by which time a sea breeze had developed, we held at least a dozen races over a short windward leeward course over a period of two hours.

Among the people at the coaching sessions were helmsmen and crews. Although some people remained for the indoor coaching only, eighteen took part in the harbour based activities. Of these seven were ladies and thirteen were men.

On the race course, Perfection, Periquin, Little Demon, Sidewinder, Astrix, Tais, Fox, Why Not, Tears in Heaven, and Summer Wine enjoyed the champagne sailing conditions. Crews were swopped from boat to boat to add some spice to the occasion. We would love to tell you what the Squib teams learned- but if you weren’t there, you will have to wait until next year.

29 hardy entrants in 3 fleets were on the start line today for the first day of the Kinsale Yacht Club Frostbite Series kindly sponsored by Osean74 writes Michelle Kennelly. The marina was white with frost as the Squibbers slid down to their boats to rig while the Toppers, Lasers and 420 cracked the ice off boat covers to go afloat.

A sunny but calm morning saw the AP/1 go up at 10.55hrs. However the wind filled in and the first racing got under way at 12.00hrs. The weather decided, in typical Irish style, to throw everything at the fleets. The first beat for all 3 fleets was slow – to the point that the S Flag was flown - then a squall passed through which saw winds of over 23 knots, wiping out half the Topper Fleet, followed by very pleasant 8 – 10 knots. A strong ebbing tide also added to the challenge.

First off were the mixed dinghies with the fleet comprising of Laser Full Rig, Laser Radial, Laser 4.7 and a 420. Micheal O’Suilleabhain & Michael Carroll in the 420 sailed an excellent first race and lead all the way. Sean Collins in a Laser Radial came in 2nd with Hugo Morgan also in a Laser Radial in 3rd. In the 2nd race Sean Murphy in a Laser Full Rig got a great start and held on to the lead to come in clear ahead of the fleet by over 3 mins with Sean Collins taking 2nd on corrected time and Micheal & Michael in 3rd. The series is tied at the top which will make for great racing over the coming weeks.

This is only the 2nd year that the Topper Fleet has sailed in KYC so it was great to have six on the water so early in the season. For some it was their first time racing and the conditions were very challenging. The first race started in ideal conditions for them however the sudden squall with 23 knots of wind wiped out some and the first race has two finishers with Maeve Buckley 1st and Francesca Lewis in 2nd. In the second race Ellie Cronin was well ahead to take first place, however 2nd and 3rd place were hotly contested between Maeve, Francesca and David Carter. David just pipped Francesca on the line to take 2nd and Francesca came 3rd.

The Squib Fleet had 15 boats on the start line today with Scooby Do, Diarmuid Wrenne & Mary Coyne, travelling from Glandore Harbour Yacht Club to join in the fun. Several new additions/returns o the KYC Squib Fleet took to the water today. Welcome back to Pulpo, looking stylish in her new livery, with Commodore Tom Roche at the helm & Irish National Squib Champion Finbarr O’Regan crewing. Welcome to Flora with Dave Ross & Bobby Nash, Plan B with Pat Salter & Richard Callanan and Mucky Duck with Michael O’Sullivan & Sean O’Sullivan. Viking Gold is also back with Jeff Cochrane at the helm and Claire Cochrane crewing.

The 1st race saw Allegro, Colm Dunne & Rob Gill, dominate by staying out of the strong ebbing tide and looking like the clear winner until an unfortunate error saw them try to finish on wrong side of the Committee Boat which let Pulpo in to take 1st, with Sensation, Denis & Brid Cudmore, in 2nd. Allegro tacked swiftly on realising their error to take 3rd. Lessons in reading SI’s being provided to all next week.

The 2nd race saw Sonny P, Tony Doody & Josephine Manley, get off to a flying start. The fleet split after rounding the windward mark and Fuggles, Jeff Condell & Eoghan O’Mahony, sailed lower and took advantage of the tide to get to leeward mark first. Fuggles held position for the next lap with Allegro coming in 2nd. Eala, John & Bill Thullier sailed a great race to come in a close 3rd.

Here’s to five more weeks of fun and competitive Osean74 Frostbite racing in Kinsale.

Jeff Condell and Jeff Cochrane from Kinsale Yacht Club sailing In Squib 812 'Fuggles' are the winners of this year's Irish Squib Travellers Trophy. 

The annual keelboat class award is for Squibs which travel to the regional and national championships.

It is necessary to compete in two regional championships and in the National Championships to qualify to win the trophy.

They concluded their achievement with a 3rd place at the inland championships in Dromineer on Lough Derg last weekend.