Adrian Allen and Barry Swanston from Ballyholme regained the Irish title at Antrim Boat Club last weekend after an exciting high wind tussle with the 2022 Champions Matt and James McNicholl.
Runner up was Wyatt Orsmonde, crewed by Tom Murphy (SSBC) and in third place it was the Galway pair, Yannick Lemonnier and Laurik Mattieu.
Sean Lemonnier and Ally O'Sullivan from Galway Bay Sailing Club won the Junior prize.
Antrim Boat Club lies on the sheltered northeastern shore of Lough Neagh, the largest freshwater lake in the UK. It is pleasantly situated in woodland and has a safe area of about six square miles for racing, while at any time never being out of sight of land.
Yannick Lemonnier and Laurik Mattieu in their multihull from Galway Bay Sailing Club
The fleet came from the four corners of Ireland, with one competitor Wyatt Orsmond flying in from Portugal.
Saturday's four races were sailed in fantastic Lough Neagh conditions of 15 - 20 knot winds, with no quarter being given between five of the leading catamarans. The rest of the fleet, including two talented Junior sailors from Galway, swapped positions throughout the racing. At the end of the day, Adrian and Barry had a small lead over last year's champions, all to play for on Sunday.
Close Multihulls racing on Lough Neagh Photo: Richard Swanston
Sunday brought sunshine and calmer weather, and three races would be held in the lighter airs. Lough Neagh served up flukey lake conditions with sharp increases of breeze from mirror-like flat water. Racing got underway in a solid force 2-3, the two leaders jousted with each other only to find Matt McMurtry and Emma Greer and Watt and Tom Murphy ruining the party, a four-way fight now.
Unfortunately, the last race had to be abandoned after the wind came up briefly to 25 knots and dropped to 5 -10 knots to allow the course to be changed, and race started then abandoned as it switched twice through 180 degrees and disappeared.
Race Officer was the expert Aidan Pounder on a difficult day for race management, and it was remarked that “ The IMA sincerely thanks all at Antrim Boat Club and their members for their enthusiasm and friendliness.
The club is a superb example of the organisation for an excellent championship”.
Irish Open Multihull Championship results 2023
