In the RS200 class National Champions Roy Van Maanen and Glen Reid will come into the event as favourites. However, the entry of the husband and wife team of Sean and Heather Craig of the Royal St George is sure to mix up the class status quo.
Heather Craig has already scored a very impressive 2nd at this year's RS200 Nationals, which were held at Cushendall. Sean Craig is sure to apply all of the asymmetric spinnaker skills, which he has honed in the Sb3 class to full affect on home waters.
The unassuming young Greystones pairing of Sean Cleary and Steven Tyner are the dark horses of RS200 fleet. They have been gradually climbing the ranks of the class since they made the transition up from RS Feva. They have already applied what they have learned in the Fevas at this years Nationals in Cushendall taking 3rd place overall.
In the RS 400 fleet, a strong contingent from the Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club is expected to put up a challenge to the dominance of the Greystones based National Champion Simon Herriott. The Royal North pairing of Michael McAllister and Michael Patton are sure to feature, after finishing 2nd at the Nationals. Michael McAllister is on winning form. He was part of Peter Kennedy's team, which won last weekends Sb3 Midland Championships.
Liam Donnelly and Andrew Vaughan have plenty of experience onboard and will relish the prospect of the breezy forecast.
There are also some new faces making their debut the 400 class. Wayfarer national champion Trevor Fisher has teamed up with the very capable Selina Dicker. This team could prove to be a potent combination. Selina has a wealth of asymmetric experience from her time on the UK Laser 5000 circuit.
Bernard Fitzpatrick of the Royal Cork Yacht will also make his RS400 debut. Bernard was a vital part of Mark Mansfield's 1720 European Championship winning crew and has spent the last four seasons as bowman on the international Melges 32 circuit. He is looking forward to the event as his first chance to race in the RS400.
Making his long awaited return to the RS400 class is Dave Cheyne. Dave is looking forward to combining next years RS Traveller series with his Sb3 class commitments.
Please see these Youtube videos below, which give an idea of what to expect from the RS boats. However the weather featured in the videos is unlikely to be repeated for this weekend. See if you can spot the cameo from our own Dave Cheyne in the RS400 clip.
RS400
RS200
For information on the RS Sprint Trophy e-mail [email protected]
