East Antrim Boat Club in Larne were the host of the Optimist Ulster Championships last weekend.
75 sailors and their families were warmly welcomed by Jill Doig and Gordon Kane, event manager and their team of volunteers. The event was sponsored by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and Squall sailing. The sheltered waters of Larne were almost too sheltered on Saturday as the fleet had to wait for the wind to get going. In the main fleet, three starts were held with two races being completed.
Better wind arrived on Sunday with three races being completed in light to medium breezes. A family race office team of Richard Doig looked after the main fleet, and Gavin Doig looked after the regatta fleet.
With five of the top sailors in the fleet currently away at the World Championships in Spain, it offered the chance to see some new talent coming through. Waterford sailor Rory Whyte of WHSC topped the event. He had a tie break on 10 points with Royal St George sailor Max O’Hare. Rory with more first places than Max took the event trophy. Max’s Royal St George club mates; Conor Cronin, Juliet Ryan and Lily Donagh were 3rd, 4th, and 5th respectively.
Some of the competitors at the Optimist Ulster Championships at East Antrim Boat Club Photo: Sue Patterson
In Junior main, Maeve Donagh of the Royal St George was the winner with all first places. Patrick Fegan – Malahide Yacht Club, Basile Dion – National Yacht Club, Tomas A Coistealbha – Malahide Yacht Club and Eoin Pierse of Royal Cork Yacht Club rounded out the top 5.
Regatta Racing, a very important fleet to IODAI, allows the younger and less experienced sailors to hone their skills on shorter courses closer to land. With six races held, the National Yacht Club’s Louis Trickett pipped overnight leader the Royal St George sailor Jessica Walsh, to take the event win. Malahide sailor Arthur Fegan was 3rd with Josephine Dion – National Yacht Club and Zoe O’Hare – Royal St George Yacht Club coming home in 4th and 5th place. IODAI Coach Adam Walsh was on hand to help this fleet refine their racing and prepare them to have fun, learn and give their best.
The Regatta Coached fleet looks after the newest and youngest sailors in the fleet, with the reassuring presence of coaches on the water and land to help them learn racing skills. The 8 sailors in this group were all winners, many competing in their first regatta. Coach Sophie Gorman was delighted how all sailed and we look forward to seeing them all at future events. EABC Commodore Lucy Whitford commented on how positive and supportive the class is.
The fleet travels to Dunmore East next for the Munsters hosted by Waterford Harbour Sailing Club on July 1st and 2nd. A big reminder to all sailors to register for the Nationals as well – the event is now open on the website www.iodai.com
Full results below
