Irish Squib Nationals at Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club

‘Afficionado’ sailed Ex-Irish Olympic Sailor Peter Kennedy and Mervyn Gilfillan take Daily Mirror sponsored, Irish Squib National Championship title with an emphatic win hosted by the Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club on Belfast Lough last weekend.

Racing started in brisk conditions on Saturday, and PRO Mike Hill located the course to the north of the Lough for ease and space. With a tricky chop and wildly varying wind directions racing was not easy and the first start resulted in a general recall due to a rather over enthusiastic fleet. The PRO was not slow in bringing out the Black Flag, which is instant disqualification for premature starters, and at the next start all got away in proper order. ‘Afficionado’ was leading early in the race, hotly pursued by ‘Fagin’ sailed by Greg Bell and Leah McCleave and ‘In the Pink’ from England sailed by Lloyd Crisp and Richard Smith.

After 6 legs of the windward/leeward course, Afficionado and Pink were in a close duel, with line honours going to the visitors in ‘Pink’. ‘Pot Black’ sailed by Peter Marchant from RCYC Burnham, and Se O’Leary of Howth Y.C., recovered on the last leg to take third place.

Race 2 started in similar conditions, and PRO set the ‘Black Flag’ on the first attempt. In the heavy conditions Afficionado fought into the lead and went on to win, followed by ‘Toy for the Boys’ sailed by Peter Wallace and Michael Wright from RNIYC, and ‘Inshallah’ sailed by David Eccles and Mark Hunter. ‘Inshallah’ also from RNIYC, unfortunately discovered later that they had started prematurely, and were disqualified, elevating ‘Pot Black’ to third.

The wind eased somewhat for the third race, but its direction had not settled which resulted in some very difficult racing. The lead changed hands more times than a used fiver, but at the finish it was ‘Blood Sweat and Tears’ sailed by husband and wife team of Mike and Katie Hill, followed by ‘Full Marks’ sailed by Mark Brien and Mark Ennis, and ‘Tai Pan’ sailed by another ex Irish Olympic Sailor, and recent Bangor Week winner, John ‘Finn Sailor’ Driscoll and Michael Ennis all from the host club.

Some light hearted revelry and dancing that evening was interrupted only for the presentation of the ‘Dick of the Day’ award, which despite much competition from perennial favourites, went to Peter Marchant, a professional in the sailing fraternity, who, in his haste to get to the event, had placed the numbers on his new spinnaker up side down, much to the enjoyment of the fleet.

Sunday dawned with not a sign of breeze, but with breeze forecast the fleet followed the committee vessel on a wi’ tour of the lough, eventually resting towards Grey Point.

Racing started in light breezes, and at the first mark, ‘Allegro’ sailed by Hugh Rebbeck and Jamie Hume were leading from ‘Halloween’ sailed by Fred Campbell and Stephen Kane, and ‘Absolutely Fabulous’ sailed by Ruan O’Tiarnaigh and Maureen Ennis, all from RNIYC. By the second weather mark, ‘Ab Fab’ had gained the lead, which she held to the finish, but it was ‘Afficionado’ who was causing a stir, as she made her way through the top end of the fleet, eventually finishing second and establishing a significant lead in the championship. Third in Race 4 was ‘Allegro.

Race 5 was again sailed in very light conditions, and shortly after the start the wind started to veer, and the boats on the right of the course began to look good. ‘Afficionado’ who had started at the pin end of the line, took much pain to get to the right, but was rewarded when an increase in breeze lifted her into second place behind ‘Allegro’ who had the lead at the first mark.

‘Afficionado’ eventually reeled ‘Allegro’ in, much to the chagrin of the Rebbeck/Hume team who finished in second place having had a marvellous day. Third went to ‘Whirling Dervish’ sailed by John Patterson and David Cheyne (RNIYC), who were particularly delighted with this result, and proceeded to celebrate in grand style. However with these results, Afficionado had a firm grip on the overall lead and was appearing rather indomitable.

Sundays entertainment once again included the ‘Dick of the Day’ prize which was awarded to Michael Kearney, despite, much competition, for racing without having numbers on his spinnaker, a fault he has castigated others for, including members of his own family, or so we are lead to believe, and a very popular winner.

Monday’s racing was postponed while the PRO found some breeze. When racing did finally start it was ‘In the Pink’ leading at the first mark, with ‘Fagin’ and ‘7 of 9’ sailed by ‘Flash’ Gordon Patterson and Sian McCleave in close proximity. At the finish it was Fagin who took line honours, with ‘Pink’ second and ‘7 of 9’ third. With first and second overall decided, further down the fleet, were ‘Full Marks’ and ‘Ab Fab’ battling it out for 3rd overall. Having started well, ‘Ab Fab’ had gradually descended down the fleet, however a late surge facilitated by some lucky breezes lifted ‘Ab Fab’ ahead of ‘Full Marks’, and she took third overall by 0.25 pts in this family duel.

With very little wind, the PRO decided not to race the final race and the fleet repaired to the club.

The prize giving was performed in brilliant sunshine on the front lawn of RNIYC with Craig McKensie of Mirror Group on hand to distribute the prizes. Much thanks was heaped upon the members of RNIYC for their work in organising the event both on and off the water, with special thanks going to David and Heather Livingstone for their sterling work in the race office, which impressed all. Additional praise was aimed at PRO Mike Hill for setting such good races in what was very tricky conditions.

The final act was the award of the ‘Dick of the Day’ which went to David Cheyne for over sleeping after his rather exuberant celebrating, causing him to miss racing.

Overall Results: