Rodgers and Browne Squib Northern Championships 2026 at Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club

Rodgers and Browne Squib Northern Championships at Royal North of Ireland YC © Niamh Coman

Sunshine, Shifts and Snakes-and-Ladders Racing Across Six Races

A fleet of 20 boats gathered for a challenging and entertaining weekend of racing in 5-15 knots of warm wind and sunshine. Despite the pleasant conditions, the breeze proved uncharacteristically shifty, making racing exceptionally tactical and keeping crews constantly reacting to the changing pressure and angles.

Six races were completed over two days, with the shifting conditions ensuring no single approach could be relied upon for long. While many expected the flood tide to favour the right-hand side of the beat, the left shift up the shore often seemed to come good instead — although the constantly changing breeze kept the fleet on their toes, or sometimes on their knees.

Rodgers and Browne Squib Northern Championships at Royal North of Ireland YC - photo © Niamh Coman

The opening race belonged to Aficionado, with John and son Bobby Driscoll leading from start to finish after committing fully to the left side upwind. Race 2 saw Vincent Delaney and Joe O'Byrne in Femme Fatale take victory ahead of Rob Stanley and Fergus O'Kelly in Durt, with Aficionado finishing third.

The final race of Day 1 again produced a snakes-and-ladders contest around the course. Some wise local sailing paid dividends for David Eccles and Michael Wright, who took the lead on the second lap and held it to the finish. Firecracker, sailed by Steven Bridges and Brian Kelly, finished second, while Greg Bell and Roger Pannell took third.

By the close of racing on the first day, only four boats had managed to keep all their scores inside single digits, and none had recorded all top-five finishes. Aidan O'Connell and Jane Kearney held the overnight lead thanks to a consistent scoreline of 2, 4, 6.

Rodgers and Browne Squib Northern Championships at Royal North of Ireland YC - photo © Niamh Coman

Following an evening of great food, drink, music and company, the fleet returned to sunshine once again for Day 2.

With similar conditions and wind directions, attention again focused on the left corner upwind, although success there was far from guaranteed, with several crews losing heavily after committing too early.

Vincent Delaney and Joe O'Byrne returned to the top in Race 4 after catching a significant left shift on the final beat. Ross and Andrew Vaughan finished second in Joint Venture, while Josh St John and Alex Minginovic were third in Chilli. There was sympathy around the fleet for Jonny and Sally in High Flyer, who lost a strong lead on the decisive shift and dropped to ninth. They were far from alone over the weekend in seeing commanding positions disappear dramatically to one side of the course or the other.

After the course was adjusted further left, Race 5 got under way. The shorter race produced a welcome victory for Aidan O'Connell and Jane Kearney, keeping them in contention overall. Ross Kearney finished second sailing with Terry Rowan in Dogwatch, while Rob Stanley and Fergus O'Kelly secured another third-place finish in Durt.

Rodgers and Browne Squib Northern Championships at Royal North of Ireland YC - photo © RNIYC

Going into the final race, Vincent Delaney and Joe O'Byrne held the overall lead, but several boats remained firmly in contention for the podium places.

A fierce battle for the pin end triggered a general recall before the restart brought several U-Flag disqualifications. Firecracker, representing Killyleagh and sailed by Steven Bridges and Brian Kelly, produced an excellent race to take and hold the lead to the finish, lifting them to tied third overall, eventually fourth after tie-break.

Vincent Delaney and Joe O'Byrne finished second in the race, securing overall victory for Femme Fatale. Ross and Andrew Vaughan were third in Joint Venture.

Winners Vincent Delaney and Joe O'Byrne with sponsor Michael Rodgers and Commodore Lindsay Nolan - Rodgers and Browne Squib Northern Championships at Royal North of Ireland YC - photo © Ellie Nolan

John Driscoll, sailing Aficionado with substitute crew Ellie Nolan for the day, mounted an impressive recovery from a difficult first lap to finish fourth in the race and claim second overall. Aidan O'Connell and Jane Kearney in Ruby Blue completed the overall podium in third place.

In the Silver Fleet, Chilli, sailed by Josh St John and Alex Minginovic, claimed first overall. Second place went to Tears in Heaven, sailed by Ciara and Tom McMahon, while Kaizen, with Ronan MacDonell and Eoin Kernan aboard, finished third.

Second-placed John Driscoll, Ellie Nolan and Bobby Driscoll with sponsor Michael Rodgers and Commodore Lindsay Nolan - Rodgers and Browne Squib Northern Championships at Royal North of Ireland YC - photo © Michael Wright

Many thanks to our dedicated sponsors Rodgers and Browne who have supported the Squib Fleet for 12 years. Thank you to the Race Officer Lawrence Balham, Grant McCullough for the Committee Boat and the team onboard, rescue crews, mark layers, tractor drivers, Leigh, Alanna and Christine in the Clubhouse and every volunteer who assisted to make the weekend so successful.

Next year we look forward to welcoming all Squib Sailors when we host the Squib British Nationals in June 2027

Third-placed Aidan O'Connell and Jane Kearmey with sponsor Michael Rodgers and Commodore Lindsay Nolan - Rodgers and Browne Squib Northern Championships at Royal North of Ireland YC - photo © Michael Wright

Overall Results: