National 18 Championship at the Isle of Man Yacht Club

With the generous sponsorship of Isle of Man Assurance, the Isle of Man YC, Port St Mary ran the 2006 National 18’ Class Championship 27th July to 1st August.

Nineteen boats entered of which fifteen were visitors; nine from Cork Harbour, four from Findhorn and two from England. The championship comes to the IOM every four years, when the entry is always reduced by the small local fleet, compounded by the cost of travel for UK and Irish boats. Even so, the fact that 18’s are three-person boats and that so many camp followers attend, means that there are plenty of people to enjoy the legendary night-life.

The Thursday practice race, in very light airs, was won by reigning champion Colin Barry and crew (Royal Cork), sailing 358 Happy Days.

Friday dawned with very little wind, so RO Russell Collister delayed proceedings until a measurable sea breeze set in. Race one, like every race throughout the event was recalled a couple of times, was very closely fought and was great fun. Windward/leeward courses with an upwind gate were also used for every race. In the dying breeze the bullet again went to Colin Barry and crew – starting as they had left off at WPNSA last year.

Race two did not get a chance to start as a thick fog bank rolled in propelling everyone back to the bar.

Saturday’s forecast was for a steadier breeze and three races were scheduled to try to catch up. Race two was won by 2004 champion, Colin Chapman and crew (Royal Cork) sailing 370 Aquaholics pushing Happy Days into second. The Aquaholics were getting into their stride now and took Race three, again from Happy Days. Race four was won by 2001 champion, Davy O’Connell and crew (Monkstown Bay SC) sailing 356 Ball n’ Chain.

The plan for Sunday was to try get three races in – this time in a moderate to fresh Southerly wind and regular steep waves to play with. Races five and six were just taken by the Aquaholics. Race five from second placed 344 Don’t Worry (Royal Findhorn), entered by Scottish Champion, Stuart Urquhart; and race six from Isle of Man boat 332 Gorrum sailed by Mick Kneale (champion 1976-1979 inclusive). With freshening winds and the rescue boats at full stretch the RO thought better of trying to squeeze a third race out of the day – much to the relief of some competitors (and the caterers!)

With four bullets, a second and a third in the first six (out of ten) races, Colin Chapman and crew were now almost unassailable for the overall Cork Harbour Trophy and had already won the coveted Cock o’ the North Trophy for the first five races.

By Monday the southerly wind was quite strong and had raised quite a step sea overnight. The RO delayed start for an hour in the hope of a slight abatement. There was none, so racing was not started. A day of golf and sightseeing for most but a few toolboxers were patching up their machines much of the day.

The fresh wind had swung round to the north for the final day, Tuesday, and was coming down off the high land with heavy shifting gusts. The idea of trying to get three races in by starting an hour early turned out to be a bit optimistic but races seven and eight got underway on schedule. These were both won by 2002 champion Nick Walsh and crew (Royal Cork) sailing 372 Three Blind Mice who seem to revel in the heavier stuff. Runners-up in the final two races were Peter O’Donovan and crew (Royal Cork) sailing 373 The Cove Boat and Antony Ellis and crew (Isle of Man YC) sailing 303 X-Fire.

Sincere thanks to Isle of Man YC and to ioma for a fantastic championship afloat and ashore. The annual top prize of a new spinnaker, courtesy of Des McWilliam, went to the boat coming 16th in race three – 330 Fat Boy Racer, sailed by Jessica Berney and her all-girl-team from Blackwater SC.

Overall Results:

1st 370 Aquaholics, Colin Chapman, Martin Almond and Morgan O’Sullivan, 9pts
2nd 372 Three Blind Mice, Nick Walsh, Rob Brownlow and Mark O’Donovan, 16pts
3rd 358 Happy Days, Colin Barry, Andrew Moynihan and Paul Cotter, 22pts
4th 373 The Cove Boat, Peter O’Donovan, Colm O’Connell and Damien O‘Sullivan, 22pts
5th 356 Ball n’ Chain, Davy O’Connell, Kevin Horan and Shane O’Connell, 26pts
6th 303 X-Fire, Antony Ellis, Stu Brew and James Bareham, 29pts