GP14 Titanic Quarter Invitation Race at Newtownards Sailing Club

GP14 Titanic Quarter Invitation Race © Boyd Ireland

GP14 Titanic Quarter Invitation Race © Boyd Ireland

For race orgainsers, Newtownards Sailing Club, this race presented an interesting set of challenges, not least of which was how to launch the boats from a set of steps, immediately below the Lagan Weir and into the strong currents that followed three days of rain. An absence of wind did not help matters and for a while at mid morning it looked as if the event might have to be cancelled. Nonetheless, the wind did arrive on time and Weir Control made a great job of adjusting the barriers to manage currents in the launch area. Beachmasters John Clementson and Bruce Carlise proved that the untried temporary slip did in fact work and, following a briefing from Race Officer Robin Gray, competitors launched on time. The dinghies made their way under motorway and railroad bridges to the start area, alongside the Odyssey Arena for a series of windward leeward sprints, avoiding the tourist boat tours on their way.

Local MP, Naomi Long, was on hand to start Race 1, which got underway in a fluky force 2. The NSC teams of Preston and Niblock and Cox and McFarland made the best of the start coming in on port and while Street and Crilly got ahead, they were judged to be over the line. The two Newtownards boats got clear of congestion at the windward mark with Preston and Niblock going on to pick up a well deserved win, followed closely by the pairing of Cox and McFarland, with Duffin and Whitcombe in third.

The wind had freshened for the start of Race 2 as competitors came to the start line. This time it was Belfast boat builder Duffin who was over the line. Street got away cleanly and picked his way through the wind shadows of Belfast's buildings into the open ground and cleaner air towards the windward mark, where visitors to Belfast's new Titanic Exhibition looked out from the windows of the gallery. Cox and McFarland picked up another second place, with Sloan and Vuolteenaho in third.

Race 3 started in shifting winds, which were up and down throughout the race. Once more Street and Crilly made the best of the challenging conditions picking out the wind, gybing within inches of the harbour wall, on the run to take a second win. This time Duffin and Whitcombe were second with Sloan and Vuolteenaho coming through strongly into third.

Race 4 got underway and many competitors were caught out completely by the unpredictable wind direction in the shadow of the Obel building, which seemed to become even more difficult as the wind dropped. Perhaps such challenges might be expected, given that this vaguely aerofoil shaped building is the tallest in Ireland. Sloan and Vuolteenaho made the right call, going left down the run, while others went right and found themselves struggling. At the line it was Sloan, followed by Street and Duffin.

Competitors made their way back under the bridges to the recovery area, where the ever-resourceful beach crew recovered the boats, the assistance of a tow-rope and car being needed to overcome the 45 degree slip. With the dinghies recovered the safety boats, driven by Boyd, Mitch and Dave, headed off through the port and down Belfast Lough to recover at Royal North of Ireland YC.

Following discards, Street and Crilly were rewarded for their long trip from Blessington with a comfortable win, picking up Newtownards Sailing Club's newest trophy, the Invitation Bell. Sloan and Vuolteenaho finished second with Cox and McFarland in third.

Overall Results: