The National Yacht Club hosted the first combined 29er and 49er events, and it proved to be a great success. There was a palpable buzz on the club platform before and after sailing and great racing.
As it was reported by Afloat earlier, Locals William Walsh and Eoin Byrne prevailed in the end, taking their first major win in the 29er class. But there was more to it, with great fast racing at all levels, close, entertaining, confirming the success of such an approach.
Race officer Con Murphy opted to start all 15 boats together, allowing the running of an overall PY set of results, delivering an overall weekend champion. With his team, he delivered a full series of 8 races in various conditions ranging from five to 18 knots.
We had a few apprehensive faces launching on Saturday morning with a 12-18 kts North Easterly breeze. The locals knew it meant big waves and challenging conditions. The 49ers and the 29er rookies (first event in the class) were immediately challenged as soon as out of the harbour and had mixed feelings between the fast downwind adrenaline rush and their ability to keep their boats upright... The safety fleet certainly had a busy day ensuring all was going to plan for everyone. A class coach was appointed by the club to help the new comers to enjoy their first event: Nicola Ferguson was certainly put to contribution on the day.
The first race started with a small delay. The Academy 29ers were fast off the blocks, as expected, whilst the 49ers were a little more cautious. If the faster 49ers eventually took the lead afloat (at least the ones that stayed upright), it was a 29er 1-2-3 after the times were corrected with William Walsh and crew Eoin Byrne taking the race win ahead of Cork Oisin Pierse and Fionn Daly. The Bateman brothers (Olin and Chris) were top 49ers in 4th, just about edging Irish Sailing squad Elysia O'Leary and Sophie Kilmartin.
The Bateman brothers (Olin and Chris) competing at the 49erFX East Coast Championships held at the National Yacht Club
On race two the remaining 49ers started to get the hang of it, yet it was once more a mano a mano between the academy 29ers boys. This time Oisin/Fionn took the gun ahead of William/Oisin with Olin/Chris taking 3rd and top 49er spot yet again.
Race 3 saw the return of Ben O'Shaugnessy with an alternative crew. Ethan Spain had replaced Alex Hopkins (who sustained a small injury on a finger). And the boys were fast, very fast... They led the 49ers 1-2-3.
Ben and Ethan did not slow down in race 4, and Charlie Keating/Alex Tricket's lead at the first mark was very short-lived. They took the race on the water and on PY. William and Eoin were solid enough to take second after recalculation, just a few seconds ahead of Olin and Chris. It was the most competitive race of the day, with five boats within the same minute between 2nd and 5th after PY recalculated times.
On day 2, the sailors were welcomed by a sunny, lighter breeze. The breeze had gone west, displaying shifty up-and-down (5-12 kts) winds. It was a challenge for our race officer and his mark layers, but they managed four more races, suiting the whole range of abilities, especially the 29er rookies.
Race 5 was a long one with the breeze dropping after the first beat and keeping the sailors scouting for the best lanes upwind and downwind. Separation was always risky and bigger rigs were surely useful. So it was the 49ers making the most of the conditions with Ben and Alex (back to his crewing duties) who took the race ahead of The Batemans, who had to fend off the catching-up Masters Thomas Chaix and Katie Tingle. The 29ers were a bit further back, and the highlight of the race was rookies Louise Hanley and Hannah Walsh, who only started sailing the 29er this winter, pushing the Academy boys to finish 2nd in the class (6th in the PY).
Race 6's big shift (left) and the very biased course allowed the 29ers to return to business, with William/Eoin edging yet again Academy mates Oisin/Fionn. Olin and Chris were to the 49ers in third.
Thomas Chaix and Katie Tingle were third overall at the 49erFX East Coast Championships held at the National Yacht Club
The course was reset for race 7 and the 29ers confirmed their return to business with another 1-2-3. William and Eoin won it putting a firm grip towards the title. Oisin and Fionn were securing second in the 29ers but remained under the pressure of the 49ers for the overalls. The ever-consistent Hugh Meagher and Oisin Alexander had their position pretty secured, too. The rookie's top price was, however, still in contention, with 3 boats still able to collect.
RStGYC's Elysia O'Leary and Sophie Kilmartin of the Irish sailing squad were fourth in the 49er East Coast Championships at the National Yacht Club
The final race saw a close battle between Olin and Chris and the "Masters" who seemed to have found better speed through the day despite aching muscles. It was close and eventually Thomas Katie managed to squeeze ahead of the boys at the second windward holding them until the finish. Yet it was again a few seconds short after PY was calculated giving William and Eoin their final win of the event.
Overall, the 29er Academy boys prevailed taking the first combined 9ers event of the year. But the 49er weekend warriors did not disapoint with some fast sailing and a great display of skills.
29er and 49er event East Coast Championship prizewinners
Overall champions: William Walsh and Eoin Byrne are presented with the 29er 2024 East Coast Championship trophies by NYC Vice Commodore Rosemary Cadogan
Overall champions: William Walsh and Eoin Byrne, NYC
29er champions: William Walsh and Eoin Byrne, NYC
49er champions: Olin and Chris Bateman, MBSC
29er 1st ladies: Louise Hanley and Hannah Walsh, NYC
29er 1st rookies: Theo Madigan and Daniel McDaid, NYC
29er results below and 49er results here
