Getting ready for the RS Eurocup at Ballyholme Yacht Club
by Mark Mackey 9 Sep 2015 20:16 BST
18-20 September 2015
RS400 Eurocup & RS200/Feva Northerns at Ballyholme © BYC
With the influx of one of the most competitive fleets in the UK coming to Ballyholme Yacht Club next weekend (Friday 18th to Sunday 20th September), local sailors have been busy getting quality time on the water whether in Belfast Lough or playing away at the Irish SB20 Nationals.
The RS400 fleet has seen rapid growth of competitive double-handed sailing in Ireland in recent years with many old faces returning to 2 man non-trapeze dinghies, even with modern mylar mains and jibs with asymmetric spinnakers. The Irish RS400 Nationals is the final competition of a 3 part European series (RS Eurocup) which has already seen action in Carnac, France and Tenby, Wales.
Bob Espey would rank as one of the favourites for the Irish RS400 Nationals having won almost every RS400 event in Ireland in 2013. A one-year hiatus with his burgeoning career to be a surgeon and the influx of new faces on the RS400 circuit has seen him drop down the pecking order this summer but expect him to be as determined as ever with Michael Gunning as crew.
Last weekend Bob along with brother Olympian Laser sailor James Espey and Olympian Star sailor Stephen Milne travelled to the Irish SB20 Nationals. James has spent much of the last two months when not competing stripping down their "old" boat, straightening the keel and getting the balance neutral. The hard work looked justified with the Espey 3 leading after Day 1 in breezy conditions and still 2nd by 2 points on Day 2 in lesser breeze. Unfortunately Bob and the crew chose the wrong side of a downwind leg in a very light Race 8, and the winners Sin Bin kept close on the final race to win overall wthe Bob and the Espey 3 crew in 2nd place, 4 points behind.
Meanwhile in Belfast Lough, multi Irish National champion Gareth Flannigan and his crew David Fletcher sailed the 5 miles in their RS400 to Carrickfergus for the Carrick Dingy Regatta for practice. When it was cancelled after only one race was managed in gusts of up to 25 knots, they blast reached home "at speeds of 17-18 knots the whole way" to try to make in time for Ballyholme's Lufra Cup to find that this had been binned as well. Laser sailor and RS newcomer Garth Maxwell with crew Wendy Smyth still braved the elements, having decided they also needed more practice (in capsizing) alongside Laser youth sailors Suzanne Flannigan and Mark McDonagh for whom the RS Eurocup will be their first RS400 event.
Over 130 sailors have already signed up to come to Ballyholme for the RS Eurocup which is kindly sponsored by Dennis and Damian Fusco from Bangor Fuels, and strongly supported by Ards and North Down Borough Council. Many teams are travelling over from Scotland and the rest of the UK as well as the expected strong fleets from Cork and Dublin.
With the RS200 and RSFeva class also visiting Ballyholme YC next weekend for a regional event, it looks like a great way to see out the end of the 2015 Summer season. More information and registration can be found at ballyholme.com/events/rs-eurocup-2015-rs400-irish-nationals-rs200feva-northerns. Accommodation and information about coming to Bangor can be found at www.visitardsandnorthdown.com. Spectators are welcome as always.