A week after hosting the Etchells Worlds, Howth Yacht Club is back in high-powered action again this weekend with another fleet of over 40 boats, this time with the SB3s who gather for the Investwise National Championships over three days.

 

Among the highly competitive fleet will be four or five past or present Olympians, former national champions in several classes and a couple of All-Ireland Champions, a formidable line-up by any standards. Such is the quality of the field that any one of 10 crews is capable of taking the title, with consistency the key over the 8 races on the schedule.

 

The 'bookies favourite' is undoubtedly 'McCready's Gill Racing' sailed by Gareth Flannigan/Brian Spence/Jeremy Tomlinson from Ballyholme who already have two wins and two runners-up places in the four regional championships sailed this season. Former Olympian Peter Kennedy from RNIYC is the defending champion and with a new crew on 'Belfast Kitchens' has been building slowly throughout the year - their performance at the recent Westerns suggests they are very much in contention.

 

While the Northern fleet has been dominant in SB3s since the class was formed, they cannot discount the top performers from Dun Laoghaire, Howth and the South. Leading the southside challenge will be 'Yeti' (Sean Craig/Stephen Boyle/Alan Green), a prediction for a top 5 finish, while 'Bad' (Stefan Hyde/Jerry Dowling/Jimmy Dowling) has been improving ever since the Northern Championships

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The host club's best bet is 'Sharkbait' sailed by Ben Duncan/Brian Moran/Ric Morris, a combination that is consistently at the top of the fleet (e.g. winning the Northerns) and tops the ranking ladder with Flannigan. A 'podium finish' is anticipated. The event sponsor David Quinn and his crew on 'Investwise' have enjoyed good form of late while 'Lia' (helmed by Dave Barry) has improved since a trip to Lake Garda.

 

The southern challenge is headed by 'Modus Operandi' (sailed by Ronan and Killian Collins and Donal Hegarty) which has the potential to upset the odds if they can put a steady campaign together.

 

Race Officer is David Lovegrove while Suzanne Carroll has masterminded the organisation of the event as chair of the Championship Committee.

 John Bertrand's dominance of the Etchells World Championships at Howth Yacht Club continued on day 4 of the regatta with a win in the afternoon race after scoring a disappointing 9th earlier in the day. His lead, however, has been trimmed back by his main rival Ante Razmilovic whose 4th and 5th places have closed the gap to 7 points after discards The other Razmilovic – Nils – had mixed fortunes on the day and lies third overall, a further seven points adrift.

 

 

The Championship, sponsored by the local Fingal County Council, has three more races on the schedule, two on Friday and one on Saturday, with only one discard allowed for the 9-race series, underlining the need for consistency at this level. Four wins in six races by Bertrand is undoubtedly exceptional consistency!

 

 

The 42-boat fleet faced a freshening north-easterly for the start of Race 5, sailing in18 knots of wind and a choppy sea. Nils Razmilovic of the Royal Swedish YC (sailing for Singapore) enjoyed the conditions to lead from the first windward mark to the finish. He was followed at various stages by his brother Ante, Eamonn O'Nolan of the RORC, Jake Gunther of Royal Brighton YC and Julia Bailey of Royal Thames YC.

 

 

Somewhat surprisingly, series leader John Bertrand could not keep with the pace and indeed slipped from 5th to finish 9th, a disappointing result by his standards and one which he will no doubt hope to be his discard. Despite that setback, he still held a 6-point lead in the overall standings after the fifth race.

 

 

It was a good day for the British contingent, filling the next three places, with O'Nolan securing his best placing in 2nd spot and Julia Bailey taking a well-earned third while Ante Razmilovic's 4th was enough to retain 2nd overall, tied on points with his brother.

 

 

As if to exorcise the ghosts of his 9th place in the previous race, Bertrand got back to winning ways in the sixth race to extend his overall lead, although he left it late. He was behind the ever-improving Julia Bailey at each mark rounding but on the final beat – shortened earlier because of dropping wind strength – he pulled ahead of the Royal Thames helm by the finish.

 

 

Damien King of Australia, never out of the top three throughout the race, held on to that slot, with Eamonn O'Nolan completing a satisfying day with a 4th to add to his earlier 2nd. Ante Razmilovic had to settle for 5th while 6th for Marvin Beckmann of Houston represented the equal best American result in the series so far.

 

 

For the Burrows family – Richard on helm with son David and daughter Samantha crewing - seventh was an encouraging result, maintaining their 11th place on the leader-board and consolidating their position as the leading Irish boat.

 

Etchells World Championships – overall placings after 6 races:

John Bertrand (Australia) - 9 points  Ante Razmilovic (Britain) – 16 points  Nils Razmilovic (Singapore) – 23 points  Damien King (Australia) – 24 points  Jake Gunther (Australia) – 25 points  Graham Bailey (Britain) – 36 points

Follow the event on Twitter on the Championship website – www.etchellsworlds2010.org

Howth Yacht Club.  Wednesday Series 3  (RACE) 18/08/2010  

Class 1 IRC:  1, Storm P Kelly;  2, Makutu Doyle/Others;  3, Trinculo M Fleming;  Class 1  HPH:  1, Trinculo M Fleming;  2, Storm P Kelly;  3, Makutu Doyle/Others;  

Class 2  IRC:  1, Dux A Gore-Grimes;  2, Superhero Burne/Banahan;  3, Toughnut D Skehan;

Class 2  HPH:  1, Jokers Wild G Knaggs; 2, Toughnut D Skehan;  3, Dux A Gore-Grimes;  

Class 3  IRC:  1, Alliance V Gaffney;  2, Starlet Bourke/Others;  3, Helly Hunter L McMurtry;  

Class 3 HPH:  1, Helly Hunter L McMurtry;  2, Rossinver C Scott;  3, Starlet Bourke/Others;  

White Sails  HPH:  1, Sandpiper of Howth A Knowles;  2, Brazen Hussey Barry/Stirling;  3, Alphida H Byrne;  

White Sails  IRC:  1, Alphida H Byrne;  2, Bite the Bullet C Bermingham;  3, Sandpiper of Howth A Knowles

HOWTH YACHT CLUB. TUE + SAT SERIES 3 (RACE) 17/08/2010 17 Footer SCRATCH: 1, Sheila D Bothwell; 2, Aura I Malcolm; 3, Rosemary Curley/Jones; 17 Footer HCAP: 1, Sheila D Bothwell; 2, Rosemary Curley/Jones; 3, Aura I Malcolm TUESDAY SERIES 3 (RACE) 17/08/2010 Puppeteer SCRATCH: 1, Harlequin Clarke/Egan; 2, Gold Dust Walls/Browne; 3, Ibis G May; Puppeteer HPH: 1, Schiggy G Kennedy; 2, Sanderling D & B Jennings; 3, Mr. Punch NiBhraonain/Wilson; Squib SCRATCH: 1, Whipper Snapper M Cantwell; 2, Kerfuffle J & H Craig; 3=, Shadowfax P Merry; Squib HPH: 1, Pegasus K T & K Smyth; 2, Whipper Snapper M Cantwell; 3, Shadowfax P Merry; Etchells SCRATCH: 1, Kootamundra Wattle O'Grady/Reilly; 2, Fetching Quinn/O'Flaherty; SB3 SCRATCH: 1, Sharkbait Duncan/Moran; 2, Investwise D Quinn; 3, Shockwave E Quinlan

HOWTH YACHT CLUB. TUE + SAT SERIES 3 (RACE) 10/08/2010 17 Footer SCRATCH: 1, Leila R Cooper; 2, Rita Lynch/Curley; 3, Aura I Malcolm; 17 Footer HCAP: 1, Leila R Cooper; 2, Rita Lynch/Curley; 3, Aura I Malcolm TUESDAY SERIES 3 (RACE) 10/08/2010 Puppeteer SCRATCH: 1, Harlequin Clarke/Egan; 2, Ibis G May; 3, Mojo Stanley/Callen; Puppeteer HPH: 1, Mr. Punch NiBhraonain/Wilson; 2, Cloud 9 C Feeley; 3, Nefertari Morgan/Murray; Squib SCRATCH: 1, Roxanne J Flynn; 2, Pegasus K T & K Smyth; 3, Astrix M McGaughey; Squib HPH: 1, Pegasus K T & K Smyth; 2, Shadowfax P Merry; 3, Roxanne J Flynn; Etchells SCRATCH: 1, Fetching Quinn/O'Flaherty; 2, Northside Dragon J Bourke; 3, Kootamundra Wattle O'Grady/Reilly; SB3 SCRATCH: 1, Investwise D Quinn; 2, Lia D Barry; 3, Sharkbait Duncan/Moran

Howth Yacht Club’s annual regatta – the Lambay Race – on Saturday 12th June is on target to reach last year’s entry of some 140 boats, according to Regatta Chairman James Markey.

“Our entries to date have broken the 50 mark,” he said “which is ahead of the numbers at the corresponding time in previous years. Past experience tells us that there will be a surge in entries in the days leading up to the event.”

The Lambay Race, sponsored this year by Electro Automation Group, will provide racing for 12 sailing classes, with the 31.7s back with a separate class start and the J109s also racing for a scratch result within Class 1.

An Offshore Committee Boat will start the races for Classes 1, 2, 3, First 31.7 and two White Sail Cruiser divisions. On the inshore course, one-design classes include Etchells, Puppeteers, Ruffian 23s, E-Boats, Squibs and Howth 17 Footers.

The ‘Lambay Lady Trophy’ will be awarded to the class winner with the largest time differential over the runner-up.

Entries can be made on-line on www.hyc.ie

Howth Harbour

A picturesque fishing village nestled on the rugged peninsula that forms the north side of Dublin Bay, Howth is one of Ireland’s many hidden treasures. That is not to say that the village doesn’t receive its fair share of visitors. Far from it. Howth is a favourite holiday destination and benefits especially from its popularity amongst yachtsmen and pleasure boaters. Indeed Howth Yacht Club dates back to 1895 and with around 2,000 members it is by far the largest in the country and enjoys a busy programme of racing, regattas and voyaging. The marina and club complex combine state of the art with old and traditional with standards of services superb across the board. As you would expect from such a large club, berths are plentiful and marine services top notch.

Away from the harbour itself there is much to recommend Howth. Historians will love the ruined abbey, nearby Baily Lighthouse and 15th century castle. You can take a bracing stroll along the piers, sight-see aboard an open top tram, watch seals and dolphins in the waters along the shore and take in breathtaking views from cliff top walks. Of course, Howth’s working fishing port means that fish and seafood lovers are absolutely spoilt when it comes to dining out and the pub scene is second only to Dublin itself, if a little more relaxing.

Howth is a lovely place from which to discover Ireland. You can blow away the cobwebs and kick back and explore the magnificent coastline at your leisure knowing you will be returning after each trip to one of the friendliest places on earth. And that’s the truth.

 

Marine Services in Howth – click here

Pilot Notes for Howth – click here

Marinas in Howth – click here

Accommodation in Howth – click here

 

Emergency

Fire/Ambulance/Police: 999/112

Customs: 874 6571

Harbour Master: 83 222 52

Lifeboat: 8323 524

Beaumont Hospital: 83 777 55

 

Tourist Information – Fingal Tourist Information Office +353 1839 6955

 

Air Travel

Aer Lingus: 705 3333

British Midland: 283 8833

RyanAir Flight Information: 1550 200200

CityJet: 844 5566

 

Car Ferries

Stena Line: 204 7777

Irish Ferries: 66 10 511

 

Rail Transport – Iarnrod Eireann (Irish Rail): 83 66 222

 

Howth Harbour  Harbour Master's Office – Captain Raja Maitra, tel +353 (0) 1 83 222 52 or mobile 086 3814926. fax +353 (0) 1 832 6948 (Office situated Northern End of Auction Hall)

For all the latest Howth Yacht Club news click here. Founded in 1895 in the thriving fishing port of Howth in north county Dublin, Howth Yacht Club is one of the country's largest and most successful clubs, with a major expansion of the Clubhouse in 2001 adding greatly to the facilities.

Located in Howth Harbour, the club organises Cruiser, Keelboat and Dinghy racing for twelve months of the year. There is also an active cruising group. The club operates a 300 berth marina, 70 swinging moorings, a large dinghy park, and modern clubhouse with full facilities.

HYC offers Dinghy courses Up to Improving Skills, Advanced Boat Handling, Racing 1, and Adventure 1; and Powerboat courses 1, 2, and Safety Boat

 
Howth Yacht Club, Rupert Jeffares, Harbour Road, Howth, Co. Dublin. Tel: 01 832 2141, fax: 01 839 2430, email: [email protected]

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Plain sailing for a good turnout at Howth Yacht Club for the East Coast Championships yesterday (16th August 2009) in fresh enough easterly wind, where Xebec took Class 2 IRC, Pepperbox Class 2 Echo, Alliance Class 3 IRC and Turnabout Class 3 Echo. Full results over the fold.