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Carrickfergus Sailing Club's 'Hot Orange' Takes the Crown as Ruffian 23 National Champion

30th July 2023
Stephen Penney's Hot Orange from Carrickfergus Sailing Club is the 2023 Ruffian 23 National Champion
Stephen Penney's Hot Orange from Carrickfergus Sailing Club is the 2023 Ruffian 23 National Champion Credit: Afloat

Two second places in the final races of the 2023 Ruffian 23 National Championships at the National Yacht Club handed overall victory to Stephen Penney's Hot Orange from Carrickfergus Sailing Club on Belfast Lough.

Royal St. George's Shannagh (S. Gill & P. MacDiarmada) narrowed Penney's overnight lead to just one point after seven races sailed to be a close second overall on 10 points in the 15-boat fleet.

A 15 boat fleet contested the 2023 Ruffian 23 National Championships at the National Yacht Club on Dublin Bay Photo: AfloatA 15 boat fleet contested the 2023 Ruffian 23 National Championships at the National Yacht Club on Dublin Bay Photo: Afloat

Winds were lighter than anticipated for the concluding races on Dublin Bay on Sunday morning, with the last two race wins going to Shannagh in race six and Brendan Duffy's Carmen of the DMYC taking a final race victory.

First overall at the Ruffian 23 National Championships was Stephen Penney's Hot Orange from Carrickfergus Sailing Club Photo: AfloatFirst overall at the Ruffian 23 National Championships was Stephen Penney's Hot Orange from Carrickfergus Sailing Club Photo: Afloat

Second overall at the Ruffian 23 National Championships was Royal St. George's Shannagh (S. Gill & P. MacDiarmada) Photo: AfloatSecond overall at the Ruffian 23 National Championships was Royal St. George's Shannagh (S. Gill & P. MacDiarmada) Photo: Afloat

Third overall at the Ruffian 23 National Championships was the National Yacht Club's Bandit (Ann Kirwan) Photo: AfloatThird overall at the Ruffian 23 National Championships was the National Yacht Club's defending champion, Bandit (Ann Kirwan) Photo: Afloat

2023 Ruffian 23 National Championships at the National Yacht Club Photo Gallery by Afloat.ie

Race Results

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