With two more day’s racing to go in the Junior Icebreaker Ballyholme Yacht Club in Belfast Lough, Emily McAfee looks invincible in the Topper 5.3 fleet, which inclement weather has considerably reduced from the original 22. In the Feva division, only three points separate Emily and Annabelle Ridout and the other Ridout family members, Matt and Peter. The only Oppi contestant, Oliver Stevens, has no opposition. And the Topper 4.2, in the end, was reduced to just one.
The minimum requirement is Stage Three sailing ability (usually age 9/10 and the maximum age is 18, including ILCA and 29ers.
On Easter weekend, the turnout was lower than normal, with 12 boats heading out to the race area, but before the first race was completed several had to return to shore due to the strong wind gusts. Two classes were amalgamated into one start to ensure the quick running of races in the still-cold conditions.
RS Fevas and Topper dinghies on the slipway and set for the Junior Icebreaker Series at Ballyholme Yacht Club on Belfast Lough
The course was a short windward leeward with a Gate followed by a downwind finish. The first start was hotly contested with all boats on the line ready for the off but with such a strong breeze, staying close to the line stationary before the start was difficult and many competitors were over the line at the gun. This resulted in the first general recall of 2023 and a quick turnaround by the excellent Race Committee of Mike Cairns and Katelyn MacAfee enabled the second start to follow soon after, with all competitors being more cautious in their approach to the line.
Staying upright was difficult sailing towards the Ballyholme shore, with the gusts funnelling down the avenues towards the Promenade at more than 20 knots. That proved testing for all competitors, and two retired.
Places were lost and gained during the beat, with the right-hand side of the course paying off in the first round and the left-hand proving better in the second. The Fevas’ downwind leg was exciting, with Annabelle and Emily Ridout surfing with the spinnaker up, fully hiked out through the finish and off for a five-minute jolly towards Scotland, enjoying the speed and displaying exceptional boat handling and teamwork.
After two laps, in the Topper class, Cormac Byrne came first, followed by Emily MacAfee and Katie Brow.
Race 2 saw was a three-lap race, with boats favouring the right-hand side of the beat, Emily McAfee and Cormac Byrne traded first and second places throughout the race, with Emily coming through in first, closely followed by Cormac. Izzy Nixon suffered a capsize on the last leg and came in fourth position after Katie Brow, who made it around the course closely after Cormac.
The final race had only six boats competing over the Fevas and Toppers, with the now stronger breeze forcing the young sailors to work hard to keep the boats flat and performing upwind. In the Topper 5.3 final upwind leg, Cormac had a lead of five boat lengths which was given away after a death roll in a strong gust. He showed great skill and strength, quickly righting his boat and sailing again but he was just beaten by Emily MacAfee. In the Topper 4.2, Alex Eadie worked very hard to finish the last lap and recover from a capsize to cross and finish the race
Saturday’s race conditions highlighted the skills and capabilities of the young cadets, some of whom are only 11, to manage their boats in such tough conditions. Dave Nelson from the Training Committee appreciated the help running the series; “many thanks to Rescue and Shore crews who helped the sailors get out onto and off the water safely, particularly on such a challenging day. Good luck to the seven Cadets from BYC travelling to Howth Yacht Club in the week ahead for the Youth Championships”.
