The 2018 RS season of 2018 kicked off over the weekend of 7/8 April with County Antrim Yacht Club (CAYC) hosting the Northern Championships for RS400s/200s/Fevas.
In total there was 35 boats entered and 70 sailors for the event from all corners of Ireland with numerous from as far as Cork so the anticipation for first event of year was high after the RS off-season.
Conditions for the weekend was to prove a mixed bag of glass like conditions so postponements onshore allowing time for extra boat tinkering and good craic among sailors. Soon enough the wind filled in to send fleet out and after a bit more waiting around a cold breeze came in from the sea around 3.30pm allowing for 3 races to happen for all fleets. In the 400s fleet king Al-Bar proved he hadn't slowed over the winter with an emphatic first race win over the fleet. The 2nd race was won right at the finish by Flipper overhauling the other Barry (this time Mac) and 3rd race won by the runaway off the pin end at start by Alan Ruigrok. Scores were very tight with a point to separate top 3 overnight and just 5 points separating 4th-10th proved how close the racing was in this fleet. In the 200s the home team Jocelyn Hill/Katie Kane stole the show with 3 bullets and in the Fevas another CAYC Boat the Corbett brothers lead overnight.
"In total there was 35 boats entered and 70 sailors for the event from all corners of Ireland"
A long day on water ended coming ashore at 6.45pm from racing, and for those interested even sacrificing majority of the Manchester derby. All more than enjoyed the soups on offer and the fleet enjoyed a great dinner spread and evening entertainment with music and much cheaper than over the border drink on offer until the early hours.
Day 2 lead to another postponement while wind decided to dance around in the sky, but the fleet launched bar a few of the top half of the 400 fleet staying ashore watching from 100m off the shore. However the wind gods did play ball around 2pm just as patience was running out allowing time for 2 races to decide the championship. Most of those boats onshore made it out including Alex Barry who after picking a few off added another 1 to his card to put himself in driving seat ahead of Barry McC in 2nd, Alan Ruigrok 3rd. The last race with championship still open Alex Barry got better off Barry McC off start to be in control to win it while Gareth Flanagan got away best of all to win the final race and in the end pip 2nd place overall. 3rd then was Barry McC, 4th Paul McL putting in consistent results ahead of Alan Ruigrok in 5th. The 200s again Jocelyn/Katie added 2 more wins to make a perfect scorecard and take a triumphant win for the home Club. The Fevas had every boat at least once win a race but in end Elysia O'leary/Lily Dwyer won.
Results downloadable below.
