RS Elite Irish Champs at Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club

Airtricity RS Elite Irish Championships © T Anderson

There was lots of activity on the Lough last weekend, with the Airtricity RS Elite Irish Championships co sponsored by North Down Tourism. Racing kicked off on Saturday in brisk shifty conditions, however Race Officer Alistair Hunter set a series of great courses in the tricky breeze from the committee boat in this case Stephen Clarkson’s beautiful “Morna”.

The event was always going to be very competitive with visiting boats from Scotland and the South Coast of England, most of the money was on the current UK champion Shaun Mac Cleans “Elixir” [RFYC] and a good show from last years Irish Champion, Steve Powell on “E’Tu” [RLYC].

When it came down to it local boat Brian Shaw’s “Swallow” took the first race, E’Tu 2nd and “Full Marks” 3rd . Race Two showed little change this time “E’Tu” took first place with Jeff Ralston’s “UP Front” 2nd and “Swallow” 3rd . Going into the last race of Saturdays racing it was all to play for, so it was no surprise that all the Elites were a bit aggressive and after a general recall and a Black Flag start the fleet got underway, this was a demanding race as the wind clocked 20 degrees left and right, once again “E’Tu” took first with “Swallow” 2nd and John Patterson’s “Momentary Laps” [RNIYC / RUYC] 3rd. After day one “E’Tu” was leading with 4 points “Swallow” on 6 points and “Momentary Laps” on 11 points.

Off the water the battle continued on shore with much merriment on the social side with a fantastic meal laid on at Royal North followed by revelry into the wee small hours. Sunday morning came far to early for many of the competitors. Racing got under way bang on time, with “Momentary laps” taking first and “Elixir” getting 2nd finally showing the much anticipated pace and “Upfront” taking 3rd. Race five of the weekend got off straight away but the course was shortened after one lap, which turned out to be a great call by the Race Officer Alistair Hunter as the wind shifted 160 degrees. This race also went to “Momentary laps” with “Swallow” 2nd and “Elixir” 3rd.

Astonishingly the Race Officer set a new course within ten minutes, once again a black flag start after a general recall, this was the last race of the series and the discards had kicked in after race Five. On board most boats everyone tried to work out their current placing and who they had to cover, “Elixir” finally got a win followed by “Momentary Laps” And “Full Marks” third.

Once again the overall results had changed again, and a bit of shock that Steve Powell’s “E’Tu” had dropped to third Brain Shaw’s “Swallow” second and John Patterson’s “Momentary Laps” takes the title as the Airtricity Irish RS Elite Champion.

Mike Vaughan Royal North’s Commodore commented that the weekend had been a great success “Wow what a weekend” and thanked everyone involved on and off the water especially Alistair Hunter’s team on board “Morna” and Mike Meharg’s mark laying team and organising team Mark Brien and Gordon Patterson and off course the sponsors Airtricity and North Down tourism. However it was with regret that we learned of the tragedy at Newtownards sailing club and our thoughts go out to the family and friends of the deceased man. On closing his speech he thanked all the visiting boats especially those who had travelled far and congratulated John Patterson, David Kelso and Stephen Polly for their great win on “Momentary Laps”!