Squib Keelboats Return to Belfast Lough for Northern Championships

30th May 2013

#squib – The Squib keelboat class will be returning to the southern shores of Belfast Lough and the Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club this weekend.

The Rodgers & Browne sponsored Squib Northern Championship will attract Squibs from across Ireland to compete for the coveted trophy.

The Squib Class is one of the largest one design keelboat classes in Ireland. It is sailed by two people and is well known for its distinctive brown sails. Over the last decade fleets have flourished at Killyleagh Yacht Club, Quoile Yacht Club, Royal St George Yacht Club and Kinsale Yacht Club, in addition to the traditional strongholds of Howth Yacht Club and Cultra.

The reigning champion pairing of Davy Eccles/Phil Hutchinson on Inshallah, from the host club, will again have to mount a strong defence if they are to retain the trophy for a second year. Likely contenders include previous champions, Gordon Patterson/Ross Nolan on Quickstep III and Sam Lyness/Eric Heyes on The Worm, who have both been showing promising form of late.

However, it would be foolish to dismiss the presence of previous Irish National pairing Greg Bell/Leah Anderson on Prodigal and Jonathan Craig/Hazel Ruane on Kerfuffle.

Wendy McCullough, Commodore of Royal North commented, "I am delighted to welcome the Squib Northern Championship back to Cultra and our new partnership with Rodgers & Brown. The Squib Class has been the backbone of our Club for several decades and it is fantastic that the fleet will be showcased through this event. In addition to the excellent sailing waters of Belfast Lough, the Club's well known hospitality will ensure that this event will be well worth attending."

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