Two RS Elite Championships back-to-back this week
by Gerry Reid 23 Jun 2023 17:22 BST
24-25 & 28 June - 1 July 2023
Elite nationals downwind © Thomas Anderson Photography
The RS Elites are preparing for two big events this weekend and into next week. The first event is the Irish RS Elite Championship, hosted by Royal Ulster in Bangor Bay, this is a two day nationals consisting of six races.
The line up for this weekend is currently fourteen boats. Michael Browne and Jane Buchanan on "Love Bug" (RNIYC) will definitely want to defend their position as last year's Irish Champions, However Stephen Polly and Crew on "Storm" (RUYC) and let's not forget his son Warren Polly helming "Toucan" (RNIYC), for the Vaughan's will be super keen to take the crown away from the "Love Bug" team.
One of the South Coast visitors from Hayling Island wanting to be up at the top is Tom Hewitson on "Soak Therapy". This is a new chariot for Tom this year. Tom made the podium in last year's fiercely competitive UK Nationals in Cowes, finishing third! Tom will be wanting Double Bubble from this week!
Other Notables in this event are Brian Corry on "Tuppence" from Strangford Lough YC, also probably the youngest helm on this Start line 21 year old Adam Lockhart on "Anchorman" (RNIYC).
On Sunday after racing this fleet will lift out and head down the coast a little to the beautiful Strangford Lough for the main course! The UK National Championship, with 21 boats expected and many more Solent Elites joining the fray.
As well as the aforementioned, we should keep an eye out for Russell Peters on "Riff Raff" (RYS). He was second in last year's championship and will be keen to take the top slot here. Ten races for this one, starting on Wednesday morning and finishing on Saturday.
Many of the local boat crews are really looking forward to meeting up with their fellow Elites from England who it would be fair to say had a huge party at last year's Cowes event, and that will be hard to follow for many years to come.
The organisers in Strangford are promising lots of social revelry, as is expected at RS Elite events.