Ross and Stuart Vaughan, newcomers to the Irish Squib fleet, are the 2013 Rodgers & Browne Squib Northern Champions.
Hosted over the first weekend of June at Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club, the event attracted 17 entries, with visitors from Killyleagh Yacht Club, Royal St George Yacht Club and Howth Yacht Club.
Light, tricky conditions prevailed throughout the weekend, with several major wind shifts adding to the difficulties. Race 1 was won by locals Denis Todd/Al Boston in Contender who had a good lead over fellow club mates and brothers, Ross and Stuart Vaughan, in Joint Venture and the father and daughter team of Fred and Holly Campbell in Halloween.
In Race 2 the wind increased significantly and Greg Bell/Leah Anderson on Prodigal led throughout the race to secure the gun at the finish. Joint Venture managed another second, beating last year's winners Davy Eccles/Phil Hutchinson on Inshallah, who were third.
With the wind continuing to clock around to the right, the third race was initially abandoned as a further 100 degree shift to the right materialised. The restarted race saw Halloween take line honours, followed by Inshallah and visitors from Howth, Jonathan Craig/Hazel Ruane on Kerfuffle securing third place.
Having completed the three races scheduled for that day, the fleet returned to the shore for a night of revelry.
Bleary eyed, the hardened Squibbers appeared one by one on the Sunday morning to be faced with minimal breeze, as predicted. After some persuasion the fleet made its way out to the inevitable postponement. However, experienced PRO Nigel Kearney's patience was rewarded when the sea breeze started to fill in after midday and, after an abandoned start as the wind settled, he got two of the races away in steady breeze.
Joint Venture added to its impressive score card with its first win of the event. Previous Northern Champions, Gordon Patterson/Ross Nolan on Quickstep III, secured a second place with David Mellor/Leandre McCollum on Conquest taking third.
With the time limit for a final start fast approaching, it was clear that the fifth race would be the last and so the PRO took opportunity to extend it to three rounds, ensuring that the fleet got value for money. Prodigal got a great start, and led from start to finish. Inshallah and Halloween took second and third place respectively.
Fourth place was enough for the Vaughan brothers to return to the club moorings as Northern Champions.
Overall:
1st: Joint Venture: Ross and Stuart Vaughan, RNIYC
2nd: Prodigal: Greg Bell and Leah Anderson, RNIYC
3rd: Halloween: Fred and Holly Campbell, RNIYC
