Double Ree saw the return of the 29er Westerns and the trophy presented by Tralee Bay Sailing Club a few years ago. Whilst two partnerships were on the deck in Lake Garda to represent Ireland at the Youth Worlds, the races at home proved challenging and competitive and delivered some fast fun. Academy sailors and National YC sailors William Walsh and Eoin Byrne definitely shined, displaying great skills on a windy Saturday, but not without having to fend off former Youth Worlds Irish team member Emily Conan and her crew Hannah Dadley from Ballyholme.
Tight sailing at the 29er Western Championships on Lough Ree
Saturday offered a wet and windy lake with short, steep waves. If the front runners enjoyed the high speed and high adrenaline downwind, it proved a strong challenge for the rookies (sailors with less than a year in the boat) and the name of the game was to stay upright and complete the course within the time limits set by the leaders.
Three races were completed with the same top three: William and Eoin led Emily and Hannah to the finish, with Hugh Meagher and Oisin Alexander in hot pursuit.
Hugh Meahger and Oisin Alexander of the National YC at the 29er Western Championships on Lough Ree
Further back the fight for survival was on! Theo Madigan and Daniel McDaid managed to complete all 3 races, battling with Louise Hanley and Hannah Walsh. They took the lead in the rookies' section. The 29er, as any skiff, puts sailors on a steep learning curve when taking their initial steps in the class. The rookies section has been created to reward to best partnerships having spent less than a year in the class or completing their first couple of events.
All welcomed Sunday's lighter winds, and the four races scheduled were completed. The day's first race saw Emily and Hannah taking and holding the lead until the finish line. William and Eoin were in close pursuit but could not find an opportunity to overtake. Hugh and Oisin remained a bit behind to secure another 3rd.
A new pair of rookies picked 4th, with newcomers and lightweight juniors Juliet Ryan and Ella Rock from the George squeezing their yellow spinnaker ahead of Louise and Hannah. Juliet and Ella are freshly out of the Optimist but their experience as a partnership in the Mirror shows dividends. Once More, the girls managed to edge the boys at the top in the day's second race. The race had gone very light, and the championship was right open again, with Emily and Hannah now just a point adrift on the provisional results with two races to go. Theo and Daniel 4th got them back on track for the rookies prize with Louise and Hannah chasing two points behind.
Louise Hanley and Hannah Walsh at the 29er Western Championships on Lough Ree
With the breeze coming back for the remaining two races, the boys responded with two races win over the Ballyholme girls to take the championship Tralee Bay Sailing Club cup home.
Theo and Daniel remained strong in the rookies' section to keep Louise and Hannah in their wake. With a second win in the rookies in two events, the boys earned themselves promotion out of the section.
1st Rookies - Theo Madigan and Daniel McDaid of the National YC at the 29er Western Championships on Lough Ree
The bi-annual Double Ree event is such a great concept. With each junior Double-handed class racing in the same venue, it shows the depth of Irish Double-handed sailing, from Juniors to Youth and dinghies to skiffs.
Next meeting for the class will be in RCYC for the nationals mid August, yet another event where the 29ers will share the waters with fellow double handed sailors in the Fireball and 420 classes.
Prizes
- William Walsh & Eoin Byrne, National YC
- Emily Conan & Hannah Dadley, Ballyholme YC ( also top ladies)
- Hugh Meahger & Oisin Alexander, National YC
- 1st rookie. Theo Madigan & Daniel McDaid, National YC
- 1st mixed. Siofra O'Donnel & Cathal O'Regan, National YC
