Balmy Conditions for ILCA Ulster Championships in Whitehead

24th June 2024

Joshua McGregor port tacks the fleet at the ILCA Ulster Championships in Whitehead on Saturday 22 June

With very light wind forecast, the ILCA Ulster Championships got under way at County Antrim Yacht Club in Whitehead on Saturday morning (22 June).

With just under 50 boats competing across the ILCA 4, 6 and 7 fleets in five-to-12 knots and balmy weather, it was set to be a great midsummer event.

On the racecourse, the question for most was whether to go to the shore to get out of the tide or out to sea to catch the wind. Each upwind produced a different outcome which kept competitors working hard to find an advantage. The tide proved a big factor when rounding the windward mark with many doing turns shortly after.

Sunday’s forecast looked too light to sail and race officer Sheela Lewis provided four races on Saturday. It proved to be a good decision as after postponements and the day’s cut-off time looming, day two was abandoned.

In the ILCA 7, Tom Coulter, Oisín Hughes, Fiachra McDonell, Conor Byrne and Dan O’Connell were pushing hard at the front. With just a one-point margin between first and third place, Fiachra McDonnell had done just enough to take gold. Tom Coulter had to settle for second just one point behind McDonell, while Conor Byrne finished as top master and third place overall on count back with Coulter. Dan O'Connell was second master with a win in race four; Gavan Murphy took third master with a second in race three.

In the ILCA 6, Lucy Ives showed consistency with two race wins, discarding a fourth, to finish in first place. Bobby Driscoll took second with a win in race two and Daniel Palmer took third with a win in race four. Conor Clancy finished as top master. Owen Laverty and Robert Jeffreys took second and third master respectively.

In the ILCA 4 fleet, home sailor Luke Simpson mastered the light winds and strong tide to secure three race wins proving local knowledge is hard to beat. Joseph Robinson had to settle for second despite winning the last race while Freddie Doig took third. Top female went to Emily Macafee. Full results can be found HERE.

ILCA Ireland gave massive thanks to County Antrim Yacht Club for hosting the event and to Sheela and John Lewis particularly for expert race management and hospitality.

Up next is the Leinster Championships taking place at Waterford Harbour Sailing Club in Dunmore East on 6-7 July. Registration is open now via the ILCA website.

Luke Simpson leading the way in the ILCA 4

Charles Taylor rounds the windward mark ahead of Conrad Simpson in the ILCA 7

Sam Kelly enjoying his sailing in the ILCA 6

Sophia Cahill rounding the windward mark in the ILCA 6

Published in Laser

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Published in Laser

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It's easy to see why the single-handed dinghy has won the title of the most widely distributed boat of all time.

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