Irish RS400 & RS200 Inlands and RS Feva Westerns at Killaloe Sailing Club
by Robbie O'Sullivan 24 Aug 2018 17:32 BST
11-12 August 2018
Irish RS200 & 400 Inlands and RS Feva Westerns at Killaloe © Cillian O'Mara
Event No. 4 of the 2018 RS season was hosted by Killaloe Sailing Club in Co. Clare. The RS400/200 Inland Championships and RS Feva Westerns, proudly sponsored by Lyons of Limerick and Waterways Ireland.
There were 38 boats entered and 76 sailors, with many other in support for the event to sail at the first RS event to be hosted by Killaloe Sailing Club, the club and volunteers pulled out all the stops with a very warm welcome tea & coffee tent for a venue that is accessible for everyone to get to with lots of space and camping facilities.
Forecasts for the weekend was one of extremes with big breeze promised Saturday and virtually nothing expected Sunday. PRO Robin Gray sent the fleet out in the building breeze with a prospect of 4 races in light of Sundays forecast.
In conditions 15-18knots with gusts of up to 25 knots racing got underway and Neil Spain & John Downey stormed away to show the fleet how it's done. Chris Penny & Jessica Rutherford were chasing hard but couldn't disrupt the speedsters in front, however total dominance was not guaranteed with relative new comer Sam Pickering & Matt Lloyd, (his first time crewing in a 400!) securing 2nd in race 2, they eventually secured 4th place behind the questionable talents of Robert O'Sullivan & Phil McGlade (The question being do they actually have any talents?!) competition for 3rd, 4th, 5th was fierce with many position changes throughout the 4 races with some very close racing though lady luck deserted Woo Kearney & Pete Todd ending up in 5th place.
In the 200s Frank O'Rourke & Emma Hynes dominated, revelling in the conditions for 3 bullets shaking off a disappointing 6th place in the 1st race. Aaron Jones & Rosemary Tyrell not far away with 3 2nds and a 1st but were destined to be bridesmaids against Frank and Emma's consistency. Greg Arrowsmith & Grace O'Beirne fought hard securing the last spot on the podium for 3rd from some fierce competition from Helen Rutherford & Katie Kane.
Position 5th, 6th, 7th were secured but the top juniors, Joseph Griffiths & Fionn O'Connor, Thomas Drayton & Tadhg O'Mara, Rosa Lyden & Jane Bolger which is exciting to see the younger talent shining through. Special mention to Baltimore Sailing Clubs two teams 1st and 2nd in their first season in the 200s – we look forward to seeing them battle it out on their home turf in September.
In the Fevas Elysia O Leary & Lily Dwyer nearly sailed a perfect series dominating the first 3 races with three bullets. The most intense competition was from the smallest and youngest in the fleet. Three boats were tied on 7 points after four races with Lily Thorup & Sibeal Nic Giolla Coda taking 2nd place with a race win in the last race.
Orla Imhoff & Mila la Mignon secured 3rd place from local rivals David Schutz & Eanna Coleman in 4th – both from Killaloe Sailing Club.
Everyone retreated ashore in awe of a great day sailing and first pints were flowing by 6pm to make things even better after an arduous day on the water with the rescue crews kept constantly busy with many, many thrills and spills in the windy conditions.
The club staged a great BBQ, bar and local traditional band to keep everyone entertained. There was even some dancing, but it was easy to spot those who hadn't raced that day as they were the only ones with energy/working legs to be able to dance! The craic went on long into the night, far too long for some with many wounded bodies found trying to put one foot in front of the other next day a challenge.
A great credit to PRO Robin Gray and Race Committee who ran the races like clockwork in the blustery conditions setting perfect courses with his mark-team to keep to the schedule and get in 4 races on Saturday as sadly due to lack of wind racing was cancelled ashore early Sunday morning.
Also to all the organisers, shore teams, catering/BBQ personnel and of course the beer fridge personnel keeping the fleet well-oiled long into the night. The photographers did an amazing job capturing some great footage of the weekend. A special mention must also go to the sailors of Killaloe who made up nearly a 3rd of the fleet with 12 entries across 400's, 200's and Fevas!
Finally, if you don't know it then ensure to make it to the next and final event in the RS calendar this year the RS Southerns 15/16 September being hosted by Baltimore Sailing Club. It promises to be a spectacular end of season finale with a warm welcome and great hospitality and picturesque racing nestled in Baltimore harbour.
Overall Results: (top three in each class)
RS400
1st Neil Spain & John Downey (HYC/RCYC)
2nd Chris Penny & Jessica Rutherford (CSC)
3rd Robert O'Sullivan & Phil McGlade
RS200
1st Frank O'Rourke & Emma Hynes (Greystones Sailing Club)
2nd Aaron Jones & Rosemary Tyrell (GSC/RIYC)
3rd Greg Arrowsmith & Grace O'Beirne (RSTGYC)
RS200 - Junior
1st Joseph Griffiths & Fionn O'Connor (Baltimore Sailing Club)
2nd Thomas Drayton & Tadhg O'Mara (Killaloe Sailing Club)
3rd Rosa Lyden & Jane Bolger (Baltimore Sailing Club)
RS Feva
1st Elysia O Leary & Lily Dwyer (RSGYC)
2nd Lily Thorup & Sibeal Nic Giolla Coda (Blessington Sailing Club)
3rd Orla Imhoff & Mila la Mignon (Killaloe Sailing Club)