Sunshine, Rain, Wind, Wind and more Wind for the Ulster’s
Sunshine, Rain, Wind, Wind and more Wind for the Ulster’s. The Optimist Ulster Championships were held in Ballyholme Yacht Club last weekend the 26th & 27th of June. Finally the heavier sailors in the fleet had what they have waited all season for wind and more wind! Day one: 3 races were completed in the senior and junior fleets as the wind rose steadily during the day from 15 kts to 22 kts and gusted 25 kts at times. Sunshine and wind what more could a sailor want. Although some of the younger sailors struggled in the testing conditions the improvement in the Regatta Fleet sailors was obvious as they continued sailing no matter how much the wind rose. Once again Daire Cournane successfully won all three races despite challenged at various times from Howth sailors Robert Dickson, Fergus Flood and Aoife Hopkins. In the senior fleet Peter Mc Cann won race one followed by Philip Brownlow winning races three and four. Day 2: 2 races were completed in the junior fleet. On the 3rd race of the day a squall came through bringing with it driving rain and winds gusting 30 kts combined with a large wind shift although the juniors finished the race the decision was made to abandon further racing for the senior fleet. The two senior fleet races were won by Seafra Guillfoyle and John Durcan and the overall winner of the Senior fleet for the Ulster Championships was Patrick Crosbie. The wining of the Junior Fleet was Daire Cournane who has won every regional championship this season. The Regatta Fleet although diminished in size was not diminished in enthusiasm and continued sailing throughout the squall on Sunday and even after the senior fleet had sailed in. These will be the ones to watch in the future. A big thank you goes to all the team at Ballyholme Yacht Club for hosting a fantastic event. The commune of hippies who camped in the club grounds (Oppie parents & sailors) would particularly like to extend their thanks.
Prizewinners Optimist Ulster Championships 2010 |
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