Flying Fifteen Irish East Coast Championships at County Antrim Yacht Club

2019 Flying Fifteen Irish East Coast Championships at County Antrim © COYC

Gold Fleet Winners, Andrew McCleery and Colin Dougan, in the Flying Fifteen Irish East Coast Championships at County Antrim © COYC

County Antrim Yacht Club was pleased to welcome the return of the Flying Fifteen class on 22 and 23 June 2019 for the Flying Fifteen East Coast Championships. The event was kindly sponsored by Kingfisher Building & Bespoke Joinery.

21 boats with their crews arrived on Saturday morning to promising weather conditions. Race Officer Ruan O'Tiarnaigh, from Ballyholme Yacht Club, set a windward/leeward course in Whitehead Bay.

With steady SE winds averaging 12 knots, the three scheduled races were completed on Saturday afternoon. Results were tight at the end of the day, but with races one and two seeing multiple black flag recipients, competitors were anxious to put in the remaining races for the discard to kick in.

The club put on a great meal and entertainment for competitors and members on Saturday evening.

Sunday afternoon's anticipated breeze only achieved 5-8 knots, dropping as the day went on. Two longer windward/leeward races were run, completing the series. Competitors returned to shore to be welcomed with refreshments while packing up and awaiting prize-giving.

In the Gold fleet, Andrew McCleery and Colin Dougan from Killyleagh Yacht Club took top honors in Ffantastic Representing the National Yacht Club, David Gorman and Chris Doorly took second place with Hammy Baker and Peter Chamberland from Strangford Lough Yacht Club.

Ben Mulligan and Cormac Bradley from Dun Laoigaire Motor Yacht Club took first place in the Silver fleet in As Good as it Gets. Second went to Alan Green and Keith Poole from the National Yacht Club, followed by Charlie Boland and Rob McConnell from Waterford Harbour Sailing Club in third.

A strong local presence in the Classic fleet saw very tight competition with only 2 points separating the top three boats, all of which represented County Antrim Yacht Club. Feeling Frisky took first place, sailed by Andrew Mitchell and Ben Ferris. Second went to Sheela and John Lewis, with third going to Rory McKenna and David McFarland.

Flying Fifteen Irish East Coast Championships at County Antrim - photo © COYC

All in all it was a fantastic event, which received many compliments from competitors. County Antrim Yacht Club would like to thank Kingfisher Building and Bespoke Joinery for their generous sponsorship, Race Officer Ruan O'Tiarnaigh, Event Organiser Rory McKenna, Catering Organiser Marion Graham, and the large team of volunteers who contributed to the success of the event.

Overall Results:

Classic Fleet winners, Andrew Mitchell and Ben Ferris, in the Flying Fifteen Irish East Coast Championships at County Antrim - photo © COYC