Entries are in from the North, South, East and West for this weekend's Irish Flying Fifteen National Championships, but where will the title rest after the sailing is over?
On Wednesday, County Antrim Yacht Club advised that 24 entries have been received for the Nationals in the hospitable Belfast Lough venue.
There are two entries from Dunmore East (4070 & 3883), two from Chonamara (4083 & 4092), eight from Dun Laoghaire (4028, 3753, 3938, 4093, 4068, 4085, 3757 & 3747), seven from Strangford (3920, 3454, 3893, 4037, 3756, 3608, & 3962) and five from Belfast Lough (2278, 4074, 3782, 2265 & 2367). One competitor has flown “home” to contest this regatta.
24 boats will contest the Irish Flying Fifteen National Championships at County Antrim Yacht Club
XCWeather had been suggesting a light wind on Friday, a big breeze on Saturday and light again on Sunday, but reading XCWeather again in preparation for this article, the winds are now predicted to be light all weekend, particularly on Sunday.
So, where will the title be resting after this weekend?
No matter how accurate it is, it might be a tad too easy to say that any Fifteen with Alan Green on board is bound to contest the regatta. But if one were to suggest that Alan will be crewing for Shane McCarthy in 4085, then the chances that they will be looking at a podium finish are considerably enhanced. In Dublin Bay racing, Shane is comfortably leading the Thursday Series Overall, admittedly using a number of crews, but on Saturday past, sailing Alan’s 4026, they scored a 1,4 in the eighteen-boat fleet. He is scoring a plethora of firsts and seconds in DBSC, with very few glitches along the way.
Peter and Juliette Kennedy (3920) are the Flying Fifteen title holders Photo: Michael Chester
Peter Kennedy (3920) is the title holder, with his daughter, from the 2022 Nationals in Dun Laoghaire, sailing a very consistent series. I am sure he won’t relinquish his title without a fight.
The most recent regatta series for the Dun Laoghaire Fifteens was the Volvo Regatta Volvo Regatta (July), where the top five were McCarthy/Green, Phil Lawton/Neil O’Hagan, Lee Statham/Andy Paul, Tom Galvin/Cormac Bradley and Neil Colin & Margaret Casey. Phil Lawton doesn’t appear on yesterday’s entry list from CAYC, but Colin & Casey (4028) will be buoyed by the prospect of a light weather regatta, although they are no slouches when the wind blows. Galvin/Bradley (3757) was a new combination making their debut at the Volvo, but they might prefer more of the stronger stuff.
Ian Mathews and Keith Poole
Ian Mathews will be racing with long-term crew Keith Poole (4093), and Ian keeps his competitive edge sharp with warm weather sailing in the Middle East. Another DL combination who are showing form is Alastair Court & Conor O’Leary from the Royal St George (3753).
Out west, a second boat with a sail number in the 4000s will be joining 4092, Niall and Ronan O’Briain, who made such an impact on our regatta scene last year, and they won’t be travelling to Whitehead to be “also-rans”.
Of the northern contingent, there is no shortage of competitive combinations aside from the aforementioned Peter Kennedy. Hammy Baker & Peter Chamberlain enjoyed success out west in May, and they were in the frame in Dun Laoghaire last year.
Another combination to watch out for is Andy McCleery & Colin Dougan (4037) – just when you think they have fallen off the pace, they come roaring back at you. And with hometown advantage, you can’t discount Bryan Willis & John McPeake (4074)
Andy McCleery and Colin Dougan
So, with 24 boats and a seven-race programme, who will likely be at the top of the pile come Sunday afternoon?
I will suggest that the top of the fleet will be drawn from the following: McCarthy & Green. Kennedy & crew, O’Briain & O’Briain, Mathews & Poole, Baker & Chamberlain, Colin & Casey, McCleery & Dougan, Statham & Paul and from the home club Bryan Willis & John McPeake. ……… though I am not going to offend anyone by suggesting an order of finishing.
