Local Sailors Shine at 2024 'Ulster' Championships in Challenging Winds at Malahide Yacht Club

4th November 2024

Afloat.ie Team

420 dinghy Gold fleet prize winners at the 2024 420 'Ulster' Championships hosted by Malahide Yacht Club

The 420 class had a busy half term that started with three days of class association training at Lough Derg Yacht Club over the bank holiday weekend, followed by the 2024 Ulster Championships at Malahide Yacht Club this weekend.

A race start at the 420 dinghy 2024 Ulsters at Malahide Yacht Club

Light winds were forecast for the Ulster Championships and so it came to pass with challenging conditions provided for the sailors and the Race Officer Niall Gallagher. With the forecast on Saturday showing a potential two hour window available for racing the race team were out on the water with the course set as the light breeze filled in. Three races were completed on Saturday with the McNaughton and Cronin pairing using their local knowledge to bank three bullets, in hot pursuit were Duggan and Hirsa from the Royal Cork Yacht Club who posted three seconds. Third to sixth places were separated by a single point at the end of the first day.

Sunday morning offered the promise of some better wind and the fourth race of the series delivered an improvement on Saturdays racing conditions. Race five saw a drop in the wind before a light breeze filled in for the final race of the day to complete a full series. McNaughton and Cronin continued their winning streak up until the last race which was won by Minogue and Baynes from Galway Bay Sailing Club.

Gold fleet overall winners at the 2024 420 'Ulster' Championships hosted by Malahide Yacht Club were Cora McNaughton/Sean Cronin of Blessington Sailing Club/Malahide Yacht Club

Second in Gold Fleet at the 2024 420 'Ulster' Championships hosted by Malahide Yacht Club were - Isha Duggan/Tommy Hiras, Royal Cork Yacht Club

Third in Gold Fleet at the 2024 420 'Ulster' Championships hosted by Malahide Yacht Club were Ava McCarthy/Roisin Mitchell Ward, Galway City Sailing Club/Galway Bay Sailing Club

The Gold and Silver fleet winners were as follows:

1st Gold Fleet - Cora McNaughton/Sean Cronin, Blessington Sailing Club/Malahide Yacht Club
2nd Gold Fleet - Isha Duggan/Tommy Hiras Royal, Cork Yacht Club
3rd Gold Fleet - Ava McCarthy/Roisin Mitchell Ward, Galway City Sailing Club/Galway Bay Sailing Club

1st Silver Fleet - Micahel Minogue/Rian Baynes, Galway Bay Sailing Club
2nd Silver Fleet - Niamh Lynch/Grace Kelliher, Waterford Harbour Sailing Club
3rd Silver Fleet - Charlie Donald/James Harvey, Cumann Seoltóireacht Spidéal

First in Silver Fleet at the 2024 420 'Ulster' Championships hosted by Malahide Yacht Club were Micahel Minogue/Rian Baynes, Galway Bay Sailing Club

Second in Silver Fleet at the 2024 420 'Ulster' Championships hosted by Malahide Yacht Club were Niamh Lynch/Grace Kelliher, Waterford Harbour Sailing Club

Third in Silver Fleet at the 2024 420 'Ulster' Championships hosted by Malahide Yacht Club were Charlie Donald/James Harvey, Cumann Seoltóireacht Spidéal

Published in 420, Malahide YC, Youth Sailing

Published in 420

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