After a gap of many years, Royal Ulster Yacht Club on Belfast Lough is welcoming back the 1720 Sportsboat Class for their Eastern Championships 2025 on 27th & 28th September.
Unfortunately, there are no 1720s based in Bangor now, but many local sailors will remember the heyday some 25 years ago when Alan Espey's Red//Green, and the Barlow, Morrison, Simms partnership in Independence were among the leaders in the class. Perhaps this event will trigger some memories and tempt some people back into the class in Bangor.
This year, the host club is eagerly anticipating some high-class racing, with 3 of the top five boats from the recent Irish National Championships making the trip to Bangor. The hot favourite will, of course, be Ross and Aoife McDonald's Rope Dock Atara, the current National Champions; helping Rope Dock around the race course will be Royal Ulster member Stephen Milne, known most recently for top results in the Star Class with Peter O'Leary. Robert Dix and the crew of LemonCello are also entered and will be keen to push McDonald's all the way.
Julian Hughes on Root 1 has added advantage in his pursuit of Rope Dock with the inclusion of another local Bangor sailor Michael Ferguson who knows the race area well and a recent winner with Robert Espey in the RS400 Eurocup in Belfast Lough. Entries have been received from east, west and south coast clubs and Lough Derg.
With excellent open sailing waters, Race Officer for the championship, Sheela Lewis, will be hoping for good winds to get in up to seven races over the two days. This event is the final one in the bid for the Joe English Trophy, so a very competitive fleet is expected.
