The RS event comprising the National Championship for RS200s and RS400s and the Northerns for RS Fevas, 2000s and Aeros at Ballyholme YC last weekend was judged an outstanding success, particularly in that it attracted many younger sailors and some of the prizes were awarded for that participation.
As Afloat reported previously, over the three days, conditions varied wildly with winds mostly in the south but with fickle strengths from 20 knots to very light and, in that direction, mostly manageable seas.
Race Officers were Aidan Pounder from the host club and Sheela Lewis of County Antrim YC on the north shore of Belfast Lough.
The biggest fleet was the RS400s and here it was the event organiser Bob Espey with Richard McCullough who topped the 18-strong entry with seven wins in the nine races.
David Fletcher and Ryan Smith were the RS 2000 winners Photo: Simon McIlwaine
Second were Mikey Ferguson and Phillip Adams from BYC who also won the Mug of the Week prize for (it was said) having chilled out too long on the Friday morning and missed the first race. The Greystones pair, Conor Galligan and Evan Smith were third.
The decisive winners in the RS200 fleet were Joycelyn Hill and Jenny Lewis from County Antrim YC and runners up were Alex and Martin Roe from Galway City SC who made the five-hour journey to be there. The Roes tell me that their Club is relatively new and right in the heart of the City and that’s where the RS Westerns will be held on 17th and 18th September.
Local man Liam Glynn dominated the Aeros with a string of firsts and second overall was Howth sailor Daragh Sheridan with five-second places and a third as discard.
Daragh Sheridan (3187) from Howth RS Aero runner up and John Simms (Ballyholme YC)
The interest in the Feva class at Ballyholme has grown dramatically this season and some of the Club boats have been rented and some are privately owned.
Feva racing Photo: Simon McIlwaine
Originally the Club rented to the youngsters to encourage the class, and some of them were keen enough to buy boats of their own which freed up the rentals. Winners here were Ross and Ellie Nolan from Royal North of Ireland YC, who also took the family prize, with the Ridout family in second and third.
Matthew and Peter Ridout, runners up in the Feva class Photo: Simon McIlwaine
The runners up were Matthew and ten-year-old Peter and third Emily and Annabel. Glynis Ridout explained how the Feva class is organised “In the RS Feva fleet, we welcome family team combinations of say, parent and child as we know how much a young sailor’s confidence can be boosted by this experience.
RS Feva Northern Champions Annabel (left) and Emily Ridout with organiser Bob Espey Photo: Rachel Nixon
But the Northerns can only be won by helm and crew who are both under 18”. So third placed Emily and Annabel Ridout took that prize.
Nine year old Peter and Matthew Ridout runners up in the Feva class are congratulated by organiser Bob Espey (centre) Photo Rachel Nixon
BYC had hosted an RYA two day training event before the RS event and no doubt that served to hone the skills of the competitors.
Dave Fletcher and Ryan Smith had a clean sweep in the RS 2000 fleet with Aileen and Dave Smith runners up.
At the prizegiving, Rear Commodore Sailing Des Magee thanked all the volunteers.
Results are downloadable below as a PDF file
