David Chapman's Aquadisiacs completed a remarkable late charge to win the UK & Ireland National 18 Championships after four days of close racing at Royal Cork Yacht Club in Crosshaven.
The Royal Cork Yacht Club crew of Chapman, Ewen O'Keeffe and Dave Lane finished on 25 nett points after 11 races, edging clubmates Peaky Blinders by a single point to claim the title. Nacho Nacho Man completed a Royal Cork clean sweep of the podium on 29 points.
The championship remained finely balanced throughout, with the lead changing hands several times. Pink Panther dominated the opening day with two race wins before Peaky Blinders moved to the top after the weather-shortened third day. However, Aquadisiacs timed their challenge perfectly, producing an outstanding final-day performance to overhaul both rivals.
Monday's racing at the National 18 UK and Irish Championships Gallery by Bob Bateman
Consistency ultimately proved the winning formula. After discarding an eighth place from the opening day, Aquadisiacs rarely put a foot wrong and finished the regatta with an exceptional run of results, including three race wins in the closing stages when the pressure was greatest.
Peaky Blinders looked poised to lift the title after leading overnight and fought back with another race win on the final day, but Nick Walsh's crew fell just one point short despite an impressive series that included three victories.
Third-placed Nacho Nacho Man showed race-winning pace throughout the championship but paid heavily for a DNF and an OCS that ultimately cost Charles Dwyer's crew any realistic chance of taking the title.
The Isle of Man Yacht Club's Shotgunn, helmed by Michael Wilson, recovered strongly from a difficult middle phase of the regatta to finish fourth overall on 31.4 points. Victory in the only race sailed on the weather-affected third day kept the Manx crew firmly in the hunt before a solid final day secured a top-four finish.
One of the biggest stories of the championship was the fortunes of Pink Panther. David Kenefick's crew looked the class act on the opening day and led the standings for much of the week, but increasingly inconsistent results over the closing races saw them slip to fifth overall despite remaining in contention until the final day.
Royal Cork Yacht Club dominated its home championship, claiming the top three places and seven of the top ten overall. Reigning Irish champions Howlin' Mad, helmed by Alex Barry, recovered from an opening-race OCS and a later DNF to finish seventh overall.
Eleven races were completed over four days in a wide range of conditions, from light and shifty offshore breezes to fresh, gusty westerlies that produced capsizes and tested crews throughout the fleet. The constantly changing conditions ensured the championship remained open until the closing races, with consistency proving every bit as valuable as outright speed.
National 18 Championship Awards
Alongside the overall championship prizes, a series of traditional National 18 trophies was presented at Royal Cork Yacht Club.
Aquadisiacs, sailed by Colin Chapman, Ewen O’Keeffe and Dave Lane, collected the Cork Harbour Trophy as overall champions. The crew also won the Hurricane Cup for the best overall score without discards.
Their strong second half of the series earned them the Medway Bowl for Races 6–11 without discards, while they also secured the Yachting World Trophy.
Champions Crowned – Royal Cork Yacht Club Admiral Denis Byrne (right) presents the Cork Harbour Trophy to UK & Ireland National 18 champions Aquadisiacs, sailed by Colin Chapman, Ewen O'Keeffe and Dave Lane, at Royal Cork Yacht Club, Crosshaven. Photo: Robert Bateman
Peaky Blinders, sailed by Nick Walsh, Rob Brownlow and Eddie Rice, was runner-up for the Medway Bowl.
Podium Finish – Royal Cork Yacht Club Admiral Denis Byrne (right) presents the runners-up prizes to Peaky Blinders crew Nick Walsh, Rob Brownlow and Eddie Rice after the UK & Ireland National 18 Championships in Crosshaven. Photo: Robert Bateman
Pink Panther, with David Kenefick, Richie Harrington and Harvy Matthews, won the Cock of the North Trophy for the best score across Races 1–6 without a discard. Nacho Nacho Man, sailed by Charles Dwyer, Owen Hennesy and John Coakley, was runner-up.
The Blackwater Trophy for the leading English boat went to Ace, sailed by Oliver Houseman, Matt PJ and Steve Watton. Ace also received the Annapurna Trophy as the leading Tamesis Club entry.
The Glencairn Decanter, awarded to the leading host-club boat not already winning another trophy, went to Slingshot, sailed by Andrew Woodward, Blake Walsh and James Murphy.
The Richard Lane Trophy for the leading female sailor was awarded to Chelley O’Donovan of Total Chaos.
Shotgunn, sailed by Michael Wilson, Peter Greenhalgh and Phil Hardesty, received the trophy for the best overall score without a discard across the specified series.
The Thames Challenge Trophy for the leading family crew went to Shuck’em, sailed by Kieran Dwyer, Jamie Dwyer and Darragh O’Riordan.
Olin Bateman of Satoshi received the youngest-sailor award.
Final Top Five
- Aquadisiacs (David Chapman, RCYC) – 25 pts
- Peaky Blinders (Nick Walsh, RCYC) – 26 pts
- Nacho Nacho Man (Charles Dwyer, RCYC) – 29 pts
- Shotgunn (Michael Wilson, IOMYC) – 31.4 pts
- Pink Panther (David Kenefick, RCYC) – 32 pts
