Neil Hegarty’s Phantom emerged victorious after a closely fought Irish Dragon East Coast Championship at the Royal St George Yacht Club. The 12-boat fleet completed five races over three days in breezy and shifting south-westerly to westerly winds on Dublin Bay.
Close Racing — The Dragon fleet enjoyed competitive racing in shifting south-westerly winds during the East Coast Championship on Dublin Bay
Racing opened with two races on Friday and two more on Saturday before a dramatic final day on Sunday.
The opening attempt at Sunday’s race was abandoned on the first beat after the breeze completely disappeared across the bay. A fresh south-westerly wind of between 15 and 25 knots later filled in, allowing race organisers to reset the course and complete a decisive final race.
Tight Finish — A closely packed Dragon fleet races off Dun Laoghaire during the final day of the East Coast Championship
Hegarty, sailing Phantom with David Williams and Conor Byrne, secured overall victory on nine points.
The championship proved exceptionally tight, with three boats tied on 11 points behind the winners. James Matthews’ TBD from Kinsale Yacht Club took second overall on countback ahead of Brian Goggin’s Whisper, also representing Kinsale.
Denis Bergin’s Sir Ossis of the River from the Royal Irish Yacht Club finished fourth, also on 11 points.
Prize Place — Neil Hegarty, centre, with crew Conor Byrne and David Williams after Phantom won the Irish Dragon East Coast Championship at the Royal St George Yacht Club
The regatta delivered competitive racing throughout and tested crews with changing conditions and tactical challenges across all three days.
