The fantastic progress of Howth’s Under 12 Optimist star Rocco Wright continued at the Irish Nationals at Kinsale Yacht Club. But Justin Lucas of Kinsale and Tralee, having led the early stages of the series in the Senior Fleet, had to concede the overall win to lone Belgian sailor Guentin Borghis by just two points.
James Dwyer Matthews of Kinsale was one of three Irish helms battling for the senior win, but though he tied at second place two points behind the winner, on countback he was put in fourth. Photo: Robert Bateman
Justin Lucas swept back into contention by winning the final race when Borghijs was sixth, but the Cork sailor was carrying a 14th and 15th, having discarded a 47th and an OCS. However, with a final tally of 49 to the 47 of the Belgian, Lucas still took second overall and the Irish title on the count back against two other Irish helms also on 49, Luke Turvey of Howth and James Dwyer Matthews of Kinsale who placed 3rd and 4th in the Open Division, while Emily Riordan of Royal St George YC was top girl at 8th.
Results were much more clearcut in the Under 12s, where Rocco Wright’s scoreline included seven bullets and a 5th, with 6th and 9th discarded, putting him on just 15 points to the 41 of Ben O’Shaughnessy of Royal Cork. In a period of difficult weather, Kinsale's many options were fully exploited by Race Officer Peter Crowley to ensure that the programme was completed, while Kinsale YC’s hard-working voluntary team saw the fleet of 178 get afloat and then ashore with remarkable efficiency each day.
Results here
Luke Turvey of Howth was one of three heoms who tied on points for the Irish title, but moved to second on the count back. Photo: Robert Bateman
Additional reporting from Michelle Kennelly of Kinsale Yacht Club:
The Davy Optimist Irish National Championships took place in Kinsale 16 – 19 Aug. The weather decided to throw everything at the competitors and Race Committee with cloudy skies, gusts over 23 knots, fog and finally sunshine.
178 competitors took to the water spread across 3 fleets. The Regatta Fleet, with RO Denis Kieran, sailed in the waters off Charles Fort. 29 competitors sailed over the four days and enjoyed some competitive racing. 12 races were sailed and it was local member Tadgh Cronin, KYC, who prevailed and came first. Oliver Means, HSC was 2nd with Lucy Pitman, ESC, in third.
PRO Peter Crowley took the Junior and Senior Fleets out of the harbour to race in the area around the Bulman Buoy with the wind all weekend coming from the W and SW. There were 81 in the Junior Fleet and Rocco Wright, HYC/NYC, dominated from Race 1. He took a total of 7 line honours in the 11 races and ended 26 points clear ahead of the field. Oscar Morgan-Harris, RSYC, started Day 4 in 2nd place with Ben O’Shaughnessy, RCYC, in 3rd. However solid racing by Ben on Day 4 secured him an 8th and 3rd which was enough for him to take 2nd with Oscar 3rd.
The 68 strong Senior Fleet enjoyed very competitive racing with the overall leader changing daily. Both Luke Turvey, HYC/NYC and James Dwyer Matthews RCYC/KYC performed very strongly on Day 3 scoring a 3, 1, 1 & 1, 3, 4 respectively. Race 10 saw a total of 11 boats BFD. Justin Lucas took line honours in Race 11 in which Guentin Borghijs, KLYC, scored a 6th for a total of 47 which was enough to secure him the National title. 2nd to 4th places were decided on countback as all 3 finished on 49 points.
At the Prize Giving, Jack Roy, President of Irish Sailing congratulated all the sailors on their participation and wished them many more years of fun on the water. Kinsale Yacht Club would like to thank the 50 plus volunteers, adults and teenagers alike, who made this event possible - with special thanks to Regatta director John Stallard.
Ranking Nat Sail No Name Division Fleet M/F Club Age Net
1st BEL 1195 Guentin Borghijs Gold Senior M KLYC 14 47
2nd IRL 1596 Justin Lucas Gold Senior M RCYC 14 49
3rd IRL 1604 Luke Turvey Gold Senior M HYC/NYC 13 49
4th IRL 1586 James Dwyer Matthews Gold Senior M RCYC/KYC 14 49
