Howth Yacht Club’s 'Headcase' are 2019 J/24 National Champions

26th August 2019

J24s competing at the Lough Erne Championships Credit: Martin Denneny/LEYC

The fleet awoke on Sunday morning to a lake that looked like a sheet of glass and were none too optimistic as they headed to the race course on the final day of racing at the Irish J24 National Championships writes Elaine O'Mahoney. But as the morning went on wind started to build and by the time the fleet had made it to the race area a steady 10-12kts had materialized enabling OOD Derek Bothwell and his team to lay marks and get racing off on schedule. With just five races completed out of a scheduled nine the race management team were eager to get as many races in as possible and all racing for the day started with the U flag.

Going into the final days racing Cillian Dickson’s Headcase from Howth Yacht Club were lying in third place behind Darragh McCormack’s Stouche from Foynes Yacht Club in first and JP McCaldin’s El Riccio in second. However Headcase climbed their way back up winning the first two races but still needing to finish two places ahead of Stouche in the final race. That race was won by Jana from Sligo Yacht Club but Headcase’s third place ahead of Stouche’s fifth was enough for them to finish the event on level points and win on countback.

J24 1 J24 National National Champions Headcase Sam O’Byrne, Cillian Dickson, Marcus Ryan, Ryan Glynn, Louis Mulloy. The Commodore of Lough Erne Yacht Club John Carton and Head of the Organising Committee June Clarke are pictured at either end Photo: Martin Denneny/LEYC

J24 2 ICRA Under 25 J24 National Champion Janx Spirit Tadgh O’Loinsigh, Hugh Stewart, Tadgh McSweeney, Brian Fox, Donnagh O’Buachalla Photo: Martin Denneny/LEYC

Tadgh O’Loinsigh on Janx Spirit from Tralee Bay Sailing Club sailed a superb series and is the new ICRA Under 25 J24 National Champion. He will receive a grant from ICRA to assist with his J/24 campaign which will be presented at the ICRA National Conference later this year along with a presentation on the importance of supporting under 25 programmes.

The Silver Fleet was won by Colm O’Flaherty from Sligo Yacht Club on Jana. The Bronze Fleet was won by Conor Houghton from Wicklow Sailing Club on Jade.
The band playing outside on the Saturday night was a little bit of magic and gave the event a festival feel and the racing finished on a high with three great races.

Full results downloadable below

Downloads

J24-Irish-National-Championships-2019-Results.pdf (398 Downloads)

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About the J24 keelboat

American Rod Johnstone designed the J/24, a one-design boat, in the mid-1970s.

Since 1977, it has been manufactured and at present, at least 5,500 hulls have been constructed throughout the globe.

The J/24 has significantly contributed to the popularity of competitive sailing, and numerous internationally recognised racing personalities have won international J/24 championships.

This class still thrives and remains a favourite among owners and crews of all levels.