#rs – A fleet of 42 RS400s, thought to be the largest turnout at a single event by a one design fleet in Ireland in 2013, is testament to the enthusiasm of the locals, and the buoyant travelling attitudes of UK RS400 stalwarts.
Just a couple of years ago, the RS family in Ireland was ticking along nicely, with steady comings and goings, until last winter, when a major influx into the RS400 fleet, has seen an epidemic growth in activity.
This weekend sees the evidence for this, with nearly 30 local RS400s giving the UK travellers, especially from Scotland, the confidence to travel (with subsidised ferry deals from Stena Line) to race with the growing fleet.
Of course travellers will be no stranger to the Belfast Lough Club, which has hosted this event in past years, though with 20-25 boats in each fleet. Again a strong showing from the RS200 fleet of 17 boats, mostly from the Greystones and Royal St George's Yacht Club south of Dublin, shows that both fleets are in healthy shape. The RS Fevas once again are racing alongside their adult (and student) bigger brothers and sisters, and with McCready Sailboats supplying the RS Feva in Ireland from now on, and supplying three boats to that fleet for the event, things look promising for the feeder boat and our hope for a new cadet 2 person dinghy, so lacking of late on Northern Irish waters.
Weather looks to play ball, for some intense mind bending racing over the three days, which will be visible from the shoreline at Cultra from 5-7th July, and a party to remember no doubt, on Saturday night....
