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Before the 2009 J24 National Championships even began at Lough Ree Yacht Club, Mickey McCaldin from Lough Erne and the Royal St George’s Flor O’Driscoll had already been installed as favourites for the title. Six races later, in light and shifting conditions, only a single point separated the two, with the honours going the experienced northern crew, the second time they have been National Champions.

Eighteen boats from six clubs contested the two-day event and McCaldin’s Murder Picture got off to the best possible start with a win in race one while his rival in Hard on Port was black-flagged. The pair traded guns for the rest of the first day, with McCaldin ending the five-race schedule with three bullets, a second and a third.

Three races were scheduled for day two and O’Driscoll’s challenge received an immediate fillip when he won the sixth race and McCaldin endured his worst result of 15th. It left the two crews tantalisingly close to the title but lack of wind and shifts of up to 70 degrees forced the PRO Robin Gray to abandon racing, a decision that left the Lough Erne crew at the head of the table.

Local honour was upheld with Andrew Mannion of the host club in Jeb Stuart finishing third after a string of top five placings. Fourth was Stephen Deasy of the National YC in Nauti Girl while fifth for Lough Ree’s Stan Bradbury in Javelin was enough to win the Silver Fleet award for older boats.

J24 National Championships 2009 Results – 1 Murder Picture, Mickey McCaldin, LEYC, 8pts; 2 Hard on Port, Flor O’Driscoll, RStGYC, 9pts; 3 Jeb Stuart, Andrew Mannion, LRYC, 19 pts; 4 Nauti Girl, Stephen Deasy, NYC, 22pts; 5 Javelin, Stan Bradbury, LRYC, 22pts; 6 Scandal, Brian McDowell, MYC, 30pts.