Irish J/24 Nationals at Lough Neagh Sailing Club

Stefan Hyde's team on 'Nautigirl' win the J/24 Irish nationals © Walter Johnston

Stefan Hyde's team on 'Nautigirl' win the J/24 Irish nationals © Paul Matthews

Stefan Hyde's team on 'Nautigirl' win the J/24 Irish nationals © Shirley Sheard

It was great to see the 29th J24 Irish National Championship hosted for the first time by Lough Neagh Sailing Club at Craigavon Borough Council's Kinnego Marina, especially when the club is celebrating its 130th anniversary in conjunction with the International Sailing Association celebrating their 100th anniversary with a ‘Sail the World’ competitions happening Internationally the same weekend.

Fifteen boats travelled from Dublin Bay, Carlingford, Belfast Lough and Lough Erne to compete, as well as local club competitors. These included past champions from 2000 Michael McCaldin, 2004 Dairmuid O’Donavan both from Lough Erne, 2001 local winners Tim & Shirley Sheard from Lough Neagh Sailing Club, and 2006 David Taylor from Carrickfergus Sailing Club.

The event was set over three days with ten races scheduled on the southern end of the Lough. The J24’s attracts both men and women to the sport of sailing, with rules requiring each boat to sail under strict one design regulations, which includes the five crew to weigh in at no more than 400kgs in total. Therefore racing success depends on the crew team to make the boat go as fast as it can.

A J24 has a fin keel, large sail area and spinnaker, which keeps the crew busy working and thinking tactics and handling to make the boat go as fast as possible.

There was some close and competitive racing over the three days with boats having mixed fortunes to the extent that by Saturday night the two top places were on equal points. With just two races still to play for on the Sunday, it finally came down to the final race with Stefan Hyde from Royal St. George Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire gaining a first and Flor O’Driscoll from the same club, just missing out by two points in the end.

Top Northern Irish boat was David Taylor from Carrickfergus Sailing Club finishing third, and local sailor from Lough Neagh Stuart Harrison finishing fourth overall. Stuart and brother Craig Harrison also crewed on Tim and Shirley Sheards boat when it won in 2001.

The conditions over the whole weekend may not have been sunglasses and shorts weather but for these guys it was superb, with winds blowing between 15 to 18 knots. Race Officer Robin Gray set excellent courses with his team under some difficult circumstances at times.

The new 2007 champions Stefan Hyde and crew of Nautigirl were extremely delighted and Stefan commented – “We had a great time at the Nationals. Tremendous racing as always in the J24's and the event went right to the last race to decide a winner. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Lough Neagh sailing Club for organising this great event”.

Lough Neagh as a sailing venue is highly underrated, with many events going to the coast. There is a great economic potential which should promote the Lough more. It is the largest area of fresh water not just in Ireland but in Great Britain as well. Without tides or significant currents it would make an excellent centre for sailing at high levels within this competitive sport.

The Commodore – thanked all those who helped bring this event together on and off the water, especially Craigavon Borough Council, McCabes and Whale Pump Specialists who provided the Race prizes.

Overall Results: