Cillian Dickson, Sam O'Byrne, Ryan Glynn, Marcus Ryan, and Louis Molloy, as reigning European champions, continue to dominate J24 racing, winning the Lough Erne Yacht Club-hosted Irish Championships from 23rd to 25th August in style.
Entries came from throughout Ireland, including Carlingford, Cork, Sligo, Bray Wicklow, Lough Ree, and Greystones. The largest entry was from the host club, with five boats. The event included two under-25 teams and three past Irish champions, with 16 boats in total.
Friday's racing was held in the broad lough with constantly changing direction and strength, keeping the race organisers and their competitors busy. Racing was dominated by double reigning European champions Headcase, led by Cillian Dickson, counting three 1st places. Dave Bailey and team Hard on Port were equally consistent, with three x 2nd places. Connor Haughton's team on Jupiter from Wicklow finished the day in 3rd. Oisin Brennan and his team from Sligo on Gossip headed the silver and under 25 divisions.
Saturday dawned dry, and initially, the wind seemed moderate. However, it continued to build throughout the day, meaning the smaller jibs were the order of the day on all boats.
Headcase continued to dominate, winning the first two races on Saturday with a 4th Place in the final shortened race. Hard on Port continued their consistency in 2nd place to score two 3rd places and a second. Sligo team Blind Squirrel, led by Colm O'Flattery, had a good day in the strong winds, moving up to 3rd overall.
Ken Draper and his young team from Sligo in Jevan took the lead in the silver fleet from Ossin Brennan in Gossip.
Unfortunately, like most of Ireland, Sunday was forecast to be windy, so no racing took place, and Saturday's finish positions remained.
The top local boat was Il Riccio; JP McCaldin and the team won the last race after missing the first race due to a crew injury. Luke Mcbride and team on Crazyhorse finished 7th, with Tim Rippey and team on Jigilo 13th, Barry Humphries on TJ 14th, and the LEYC youth team led by Adam Torrens on Jet 16th.
Thanks to the race team led by Derek Bothwell from Howth Yacht Club and all the volunteers who made the event successful for all the competitors.
Anyone interested in joining the J24 fleet for its autumn series are welcome to meet at the club at 11am on Sundays from 8th September to 13th October.
