RS400 Eurocup & RS200/Feva Northerns at Ballyholme Yacht Club Preview
by Mark Mackey 2 Aug 2015 15:42 BST
18-20 September 2015
RS400 Eurocup & RS200/Feva Northerns at Ballyholme © BYC
Come and enjoy racing with the fastest growing class in Ireland in the biggest double handed event of the year at Ballyholme Yacht Club from 18th to 20th September.
Many of Ireland's top double handed sailors have purchased RS400's this year across Ireland with strong fleets at Cork, Dublin and Belfast Lough. A strong Scottish fleet is coming to play for the RS400 Eurocup and many other UK boats are planning a trip as well. Ballyholme YC are expecting 50 - 60 RS400's to enter, plus up to 40 RS200's and RS Feva's for a great weekend to end the summer season.
Ballyholme YC boasts a number of top RS400 sailors in Ireland as evidenced in the recent RS400 Northerns with Dr Bob Espey & Michael Gunning returning to their top form from 2013, Olympian Ryan Seaton just behind and muti-class Irish National Champion Gareth Flannigan in contention but struggling with a last minute crew replacement, OCS and equipment damage. David Fletcher is now fighting fit again. Add in Round Britain World Record holder (Artemis) Michael Ferguson and Phil Adams, Chris & father Niall Eames and a few others to offer a challenge to all to come and beat them on their home waters.
Ballyholme Yacht Club boasts some of the best event waters in the UK with the race area less than a mile sail from the clubhouse, little tide, relatively shallow waters to make course setting easy and our new IRO Robin Gray in charge to ensure quality course setting with a top mark and rescue crew. Ballyholme YC are very used to hosting large events and can guarantee a great time on and off the water with a full social program as evidenced in last years F18 World championships.
The RS200 and RS Feva fleets should also see good numbers competing over two days at Ballyholme for a "regional" title.
The RS400 fleet are concentrating on the RS Southerns at Cork Dinghy Week in a few weeks time but it's time to enter the RS Eurocup now as Early Entry Discount ends this Friday to encourage sailors to book accommodation early so they can make best use of the social program. There are lots of good guesthouses and small hotels within walking distance of Ballyholme but they can book up.
The RS Eurocup is sponsored by Bangor Fuels and supported by Ards & North Down Tourism.
Please enter online at ballyholme.com/events/rs-eurocup-2015-rs400-irish-nationals-rs200feva-northerns