Last weekend (11/12th June) saw the Optimist Ulster Championships return to Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club after a three year gap.
The weather, always so critical in sailing events, did its usual trick of throwing everything possible at the sailors and organisers.
Saturday was a day of light airs and sunshine. With light fickle winds dropping away to nothing, the Featherweights in the fleet were delighted and preformed well.
Sunday was a different day entirely and with winds of 18 knots gusting 22, the heavier sailors came into their own. All in all, something for everyone!
Race 1 in the Junior Fleet was won by Ronan Cournane (Royal Cork Yacht Club) followed closely by Colin O'Sullivan (Malahide Yacht Club). Race 2 was started in light winds but on the second beat the sailors made little progress against the tide. As the wind disappeared only 10 sailors managed to finish, the rest being "timed out". The third race of the day was yet another "light airs" affair. Again the promising breeze fizzled out and Royal North's very experienced Race Officer, Nigel Kearney, raised the abandonment flag.
The sailors went ashore for the day to enjoy the hospitalities of Royal North's recently refurbished clubhouse.
In the Senior Fleet Races 1 and 2 were won by "experienced" sailor Peter McCann (he is only 13) from Royal Cork Yacht Club. Like the Juniors, their Race 3 was also abandoned and the tired sailors sailed back to a fantastic welcome and great meal provided by Royal North. A difficult day for all, both Race Committee and sailors alike worked hard as the wind shifted, built up, dropped away, and built up again.
On Saturday evening Irish Optimist President, Fred Campbell from Royal North presented the Irish Team sailors with their iconic
Green Life Jackets and team gear and wished them all luck in their respective International events.
Sunday morning came and the promised wind which had the heavier sailors in a jubilant mood started to build steadily.
Race 1 was won by Sean Donnelly from the National Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire with Races 2 and 3 being won by fellow Dun Laoghaire sailor Adam Hyland (Royal St George Yacht Club). Adam was unfortunate to have incurred a "timed out" and a "black flag" penalty in Saturday's racing. These "expensive" scores pulled him down the results allowing Royal Cork sailor, Peter McCann who sailed steadily on both days to secure the overall Senior Championship.
In the Junior Fleet, Race 1 was won by Rebecca O' Shaughnessy (Royal Cork) with Niamh Henry (Royal St George) winning Race 2 while strong wind expert Issy Delamer won Race 2 making Sunday an all girl affair in the Junior Fleet. However, the girls' excellent performances in the stronger breeze did not prevent Royal Cork sailor Ronan Cournane repeating his brother Daire's success the previous year and securing the Junior Championship.
Congratulations to Peter McCann who is the Ulster Senior regional Champion. Congratulations also to Ronan Cournane who is the Ulster Junior Regional Championship.
At a prize giving ceremony following the event, Royal North Commodore, Mike Vaughan welcomed all the visitors and referred to the long association between the club and the Irish Optimist Association. Irish Optimist Vice President Des Flood from Howth Yacht Club thanked the Royal North Yacht Club and its volunteers who worked tirelessly all weekend to make the event the resounding success that it was!
The top five in each fleet were:
Senior Fleet:
1 1439 Gold Peter McCann 14 RCYC 7 1 1 4 2 3
2 1438 Gold Sean Donnelly 14 NYC 17 12 3 1 9 4
3 1375 Gold Richard Hogan 13 HYC 22 5 39 6 3 8
4 1425 Gold Douglas Elmes 13 RCYC/WHSC 27 3 2 11 11 31
5 1444 Gold Sophie Browne 14 TBSC/RCYC 29 18 18 2 4 5
Junior Fleet:
1 1411 Gold Ronan Cournane 12 RCYC/KYC 9 1 2 3 7 3
2 1012 Gold Niamh Henry 12 RStGYC 10 4 1 6 1 4
3 1372 Gold Isabelle Delamer 12 HYC 16 13 5 8 2 1
4 1343 Silver Colin O'SULLIVAN 12 MYC 20 2 3 7 8 14
5 1341 Gold Ewan MCMAHON 12 HYC 20 8 4 2 6 46
Local Sailor Success
Just 5 years ago Royal North sailor Ross Vaughan was Ireland's highest ranked Optimist sailor. In his wake up to 20 Royal North sailors competed on the Irish Optimist circuit. Last year saw a bit of a gap in Northern competitors, but Royal North was pleased to field a total of eight sailors in this event. All are very young but led by enthusiastic Class Captain Greg Bell, all are looking forward to joining the "Irish Optimist Circuit" in the years ahead and bringing success once more to Royal North Optimist sailing.
Best local sailors at the event were Sally Bell in the main fleet and Louis Miller in Regatta Fleet. Expect to see these names again.
Regatta Fleet
Held in conjunction with the championships was a "very" junior event for the very youngest sailors who have recently completed their dinghy competency courses and are getting ready to go racing. This racing experience is essential to equip the sailors with the skills they will need when they move to the main fleet.
Watched by anxious parents from the lawn of Royal North the sailors were led by coaches, Katie Malcolm, Katie White and Holly Campbell. In a series of short races conducted by Race Officer Mark Brien, the kids mostly between 8 and 10 years old got their first taste of racing.
All regatta fleet racers were presented with medals and fun prizes.
Next Year?
It is hoped that when the whole entourage returns to the North next year, these youngest sailors will have progressed to join their older friends in the main fleet.
Judging by the comments from the visiting sailors and parents, North Down can look forward to the return of the class next year. Royal North Commodore, Mike Vaughan, when thanking North Down Tourism and other sponsors of the event, expressed his hope that the championships would again return to Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club.
