The Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club hosted seventeen boats for this event over our bank holiday weekend. The successful format of racing on Saturday and Sunday, with an early departure time for the southern visitors, was repeated.
Saturday's racing got off to a wild start with gusts over 30 kts registered on the committee boat. Some of the fleet elected to stay ashore whilst the mad element braved the elements for two well set and shortish courses.
The overnight lead was held by Greg Bell sailing a borrowed Full Marks. Greg was a picture of consistency with two second places.
An almost annual fest of debauchery ensued at that evening's championship dinner. Speaches of note from the Vice Commodore, the event organiser and a RStGYC visitor punctuated the night as the bruises from that day's sailing spread like oil slicks.
The inclement weather took another form on Sunday. Cultra did its best to imitate the wet season in Bangladesh. The wind turned off, probably a short-circuit due to the rain. As the sailors rehydrated from the previous evening, the committee boat waited, ready to pounce on any settled breeze. The wind only stayed out to play for one race and PRO Nigel Kearney took the bull by the proverbials and let the fleet off. Klipbok (Emmet Dalton & Neal Merry) from HYC took the damped smoke.
Thanks must go to Mark Hunter for organising the usual fantastic event.
Special Mention should go to Eric Cairns Partnership for its continuous support of the RNIYC Squib events.
If you want to buy or sell a little pad near RNIYC, look up Eric Cairns!
