1720 Irish National Championship at Baltimore Sailing Club

1720 Irish Nationals at Baltimore © Aedan Coffey

1720 Irish Nationals at Baltimore © Aedan Coffey

Baltimore Sailing Club proudly welcomed the fleet of 14 Cork 1720's as host for this years Irish National Championships which ran from 22-24 August.

Light winds greeted the fleet when they woke up on Friday morning and everyone was most grateful to race officer Richard Leonard who delayed first start to mid-day the night before at the briefing after the formalities of lift in and weighing crews were completed. By the time the fleet had made its way out to a mostly sunny Roaring Water Bay between Sherkin Island and Cape Clear, the water was more gently rippling than roaring and three races were just about completed with the wind reversing 180 degrees on the last downwind leg of the third race making for a few surprise results, but with two wins and a third place, Anthony O'Leary and his crew sailing Wet & Ready had the upper hand at the end of day one.

Day two and warm sunshine once again ushered the boats out to the race area but breeze was very light and the first start was a raft up by the fleet to make the pin end on starboard tack but crossing the back of the fleet and the committee boat end of the line on port tack with pace, Smile & Wave helmed by Ben Cooke raced away from the fleet to take a commanding lead by the first mark which they extended all the way to take the win in a slow race which was shortened to two laps. The second race start was a repeat of the first with Smile & Wave again crossing the back of the fleet on Port tack and racing off to lead at the windward mark again, but the rest of the fleet was close behind this time and at the wrong end of a big wind shift Anthony O'Leary took full advantage and strolled on to another race win. The breeze was really filling in by race three and Anthony O'Leary battled with son Nicholas O'Leary helming T-Bone all the way to take his fourth win from six.

1720 Irish Nationals at Baltimore - photo © Aedan Coffey

Saturday night Baltimore Sailing Club served up a fine supper to the championship competitors followed by a few night caps at Bushes Bar meaning Sunday morning started slowly with a few sore heads clearly visible. Less visible however was the horizon with rain and big breeze forecast, the final two races promised to be a full workout for the crews.

Fair praise was due to the race officer and his team for setting the course up in challenging conditions and the fleet set off in 25+ knots, the kind of weather the 1720 was designed for. Spectacular downwind surfing at speeds approaching 20 knots, a few shredded kites and lots of spray, conditions former champion Mark Mansfield revels in and he took his second race win with Nin O'Leary second closing the gap on his father. Race two the wind continued to build and Nin O'Leary grasped an early lead at the windward mark and showing some impressive boat handling downwind he extended his lead to take the race win. Mark Mansfield was second with Anthony O'Leary third to take the championships by just one point from son Nicholas on T-Bone with his other sons Robert and Peter third overall on Jacob's Bar.

1720 Irish Nationals at Baltimore - photo © Aedan Coffey

Next big event is the Europeans at Sovereign's Cup Kinsale in June 2015.

Overall Results: