Saturday 4th of May 2024 saw 14 schools taking to the water to compete in the Irish Schools Team Racing National Championships 2024. For the first time since the inception of this event in 2004 and marking its 20th anniversary, there were teams from all four Provinces of Ireland.
Eight new schools that had not previously participated in the event competed this year, which is clear evidence that the appetite for School Team Racing is growing across Ireland.
"I.S.T.R.A. is delighted with this development, and hopefully, there will be more schools represented from Connacht and Ulster going forward", said I.S.T.R.A's Eunice Kennedy.
Bantry Bay Sailing Club hosted the Schools Team Racing Championships for the first time
On picturesque Bantry Bay, the Bantry Bay Sailing Club (B.B.S.C.) hosted this event for the first time.
Saturday heralded a dry, sunny morning, but unfortunately, with little wind, the A.P. was hoisted until 13.30 approx, when the wind filled in from the S.W. with a wind speed of 8 knots. Race Officer Ciaran McSweeney, with his crew of volunteers and with a sigh of relief, began to crank out the races. By the end of day 18.00, he had completed 36 races, which was an average of 10 races per hour, no mean feat. At the end of racing the competitors retired to their accommodation to get dolled up for a buffet organised by B.B.S.C. The event was hosted in the Marino Church and superb food was supplied by the Fish Kitchen.
Sunday morning dawned cloudy but with a nice brisk flickering N.E 10 knots of wind. Ciaran once again prevailed and sailing commenced at 10.20 approx. The competitors, full of eagerness and high spirits, once again took to the water. 30 races were required to complete the Round Robin in the shifting breeze, and this was achieved by 15.00.
Eight new schools participated in the Irish Schools Team Racing National Championships 2024
As the wind strength was beginning to show signs of dropping, it was decided that the semis and finals would comprise the best of 3 and the petite final would be 1 race. The top 4 in the semis were Schull Community School 1 V Andrews 1 and Schull Community School 2 V Skibbereen 1.
Schull 1 prevailed in their semis match 2 - 1 and went on to compete against Skibbereen Community School in the finals who took Schull 2 by 2-1. As the wind was now at 4 knots, a good start sequence was imperative. Schull Community School 1 rose to the occasion and beat Skibbereen 1 by winning the first two races out of three to make them the Irish Schools Team Racing Champions for 2024. Skibbereen Community School 1 placed second, and in the petite final Schull Community School 2 beat St. Andrews 2-1 placing 3rd and St. Andrews 1 in fourth.
The overall placings were as follows:
- 1st Schull Community School 1
- 2nd Skibbereen Community School
- 3rd Schull Community School 2
- 4th St. Andrews College
- 5th Bandon Grammar School
- 6th Clongowes/Colaise Iosa/St. David's Holy Faith/High School
- 7th Schoil Mhuire
- 8th Colaiste Phobhail Bheanntarai
- 9th St. Andrews 2
- 10th Colaiste Eide
- 11th St. Francis R.O.C.O
- 12th Loreto/Milford
"I.S.T.R.A. congratulates Bantry Bay Sailing Club on running an exemplary Team Racing event, particularly as they are newcomers to this format of racing," said Kennedy.
"The eagerness and happy faces of the volunteers who turned out to assist in running the event were heartwarming. Feedback from Parents, School Teachers, and competitors was that Bantry Bay was a superb venue for team racing", Kennedy added.
