WUKA and Rooster RS Feva Grand Prix GP1 at Ballyholme Yacht Club
by Simon Greenhalgh 22 Aug 13:05 BST
16-18 August 2024
Millie Greenhalgh and Tom Sinfield trying to roll Phoebe and Ben Greenhalgh - RS Feva Grand Prix at Ballyholme © Simon McIlwaine /
www.wavelengthimage.com
With a sprint series training event completed on Friday, GP1 was embedded within the Feva Irish
Nationals.
The fleet of 27 launched in a gusty south westerly and reached out about a mile for
some consistent breeze in Belfast Loch. Aiden Pounder the RO got the first away on time with 12-
15 kts and occasional gusts into the 20s.
With a cross-section of experience, there were battles
throughout the fleet with a few finding the sharp chop and feisty gusts a considerable challenge.
The second race was a similar story with a trapezoid course again in use and similar experiences
for all. The early frontrunners with two firsts were Phoebe Greenhalgh with her amateur crew Ben
Greenhalgh, followed by Tom Sinfield with Millie Greenhalgh with seconds.
With the final race of the day a windward-leeward course was set which would prove a blessing
for the mark laying team as the 20 left degree shift just after start continued its merry way to 40
degrees and beyond. Half way up the beat there were mixed feelings from the leaders and losers
at the subsequent abandonment. Some slick work saw the course reset and into sequence only to
be afflicted with further
shifts, postponements and
resets.
The gusts were
increasing in ferocity as the
fleet finally got away and
some of the local talent
decided it was time to
demonstrate their metal. A
first for Emily and Annabel
Ridout, followed by Matt
and Peter Ridout, with
Jessica Dadley-Young and
Sally Nixon closing out for a
top 3 from BYC.
Racing
largely complete, the
heroics were not over as
the fleet recovered to shore
in a steady 25 Kts and
reducing visibility.
Off the water and a post race snack was greatly received.
Whilst the sailors had been competing, a team of volunteers led by Glynis Ridout had casually rustled up a hearty two course meal and set tables for 80, all accompanied by an Irish three piece youth band! UK sailors, please don't expect this at every GP in the future.
Day 2 and 18 kts forecast kept a few boats on the shore. With the front runners now up to speed,
the BYC boats threw down the gauntlet with a Ridout 1 and 2. The scores tight and positions
changing on all the remaining races, it came down to a point between 1st and 2nd overall with at
least three other boats all in contention to podium.
With a number of the Irish boats adopting a goose
winging and death rolling downwind tactic on the runs, the fleet was largely split between those
who did and did not use the asymmetric.
The final overall victors in GP1 were Phoebe and Ben
followed by Emily and Annabel with third going to Tom and Millie. Emily and Annabel were also
crowned Irish National Champions with Jessica and Sally as runners up.
With a haul of Rooster prizes distributed and a raffle of a full set of sails complete, it only left a fond
farewell between all the sailors who returned home with happy memories and great friendships
built. The event lead by Glynis and Matt Ridout was a resounding success and the welcome and
hosting given by Ballyholme Yacht Club and it's members was unparalleled.
When asked for
comment, Ben and Tom both agreed that the club also has the best showers in the men's
changing rooms they have ever experienced at any sailing club but they felt unable to comment on the ladies' facilities!
Overall Results:
Pos | Sail No | Helm | Crew | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | Pts |
1st | 8791 | Phoebe Greenhalgh | Ben Greenhalgh | Port Dinorwic SC | 1 | 1 | ‑4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 9 |
2nd | 6095 | Emily Ridout | Annabel Ridout | BYC | ‑5 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 10 |
3rd | 8818 | Millie Greenhalgh | Tom Sinfield | Port Dinorwic SC | 2 | 2 | ‑6 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 13 |
4th | 6351 | Matthew Ridout | Peter Ridout | BYC | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | ‑5 | 16 |
5th | 2358 | Jessica Dadley‑Young | Sally Nixon | BYC | ‑6 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 20 |
6th | 6581 | Ross Nolan | Martha Nolan | BYC / RNIYC | 3 | 7 | 7 | 6 | ‑8 | 8 | 31 |
7th | 4281 | Sam Kelly | Daniel Long | East Down YC | 7 | ‑9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 34 |
8th | 1899 | David Fletcher | William Fletcher | BYC | 9 | 8 | 11 | 8 | 7 | (DNC) | 43 |
9th | 4595 | Ellie Nolan | Niamh Coman | RNIYC | 8 | 10 | ‑12 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 45 |
10th | 4299 | Charlie Stocking | Alannah Kelly | EDYC | 10 | ‑11 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 46 |
11th | 5487 | Matthew Holden | Tom Fletcher | BYC | 11 | 12 | 10 | 11 | (DNC) | 10 | 54 |
12th | 1715 | Lucy Anderson | Sophie Murray | RNIYC | 12 | ‑13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 59 |
13th | 2981 | Anna Wilkinson | Cara Coman | RNIYC | (DNC) | 6 | 5 | DNC | DNC | DNC | 62 |
14th | 5482 | Ryan Smith | Jasper Smith | BYC | (DNF) | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | 85 |
14th | 82 | David McGinty | Daniel McGinty | BYC | (DNC) | DNC | DNF | DNC | DNC | DNC | 85 |
14th | 2395 | Chloe Whyte | Greta Qutteineh | BYC | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | 85 |