2005 IODAI Optimist Connaught Championships
  Lough Derg YC in Dromineer hosted the event on 2-3 July
  Author: Kevin Darmody      Posted on: 5/7/05

It may have been summertime, but nobody told the weather how it should have behaved. Winds on Saturday built steadily all morning. The Gold, Silver & Bronze sailors of the main fleet had one race but the less experienced sailors were unable to contend with the steady 27 knots that the PRO, Geoff O'Donohoe, recorded during the race. Cian O'Regan (European team & KYC) won the first race ahead of Jack Costigan (RCYC) second and Luke Finnegan (WHSC) in third place.

For the stronger sailors of the Gold fleet, the conditions were a delight, but consideration must be shown for all competitors so the PRO postponed racing for the day.

Sunday was again blowey. The PRO decided to stand down the Bronze fleet and proceed with racing for the Gold and Silver fleets only. Race 2 was won by Alan Ruigrok (HYC/RSC/SSC) with Jennifer Andreason (RSGYC) second and William Murray (RCYC) third.

The wind appeared to be abating and the PRO invited the Bronze fleet to launch so that they might be allowed compete in race 3. As they approached the starting area after a long beat out, the heavens opened as a squall rushed through the lough. Whilst not quite hailstones, the force of the rain was such that anyone in an open boat was subjected to a harsh lashing from the weather. It took the PRO some time to relay the course following the wind shift and when he the race started, 87 sailors passed the starting line. In the race, it paid dividends to stay left on the beat and it was quite a surprise to see that 60% of the European team were 'down the tubes' in the results for this race. Race 3 was won by Jamie Aplin (RSGYC), Cian O'Regan was second with Ross Vaughan (RNIYC) in third.

The last race was also one where the left paid off. The European team members woke up and whipped the fleet. Diana Kissane (HYC) was a strong winner, Cian O'Regan was second and Matt O'Dowd (RSGYC) third.

Cian O'Regan was the overall victor of the Connaughts. In four races he had three podium results. Ross Vaughan was second and Matt O'Dowd third.

HYC Report on the Champs

Thirteen HYC members took place though five regulars were absent.

The real highlights were that two Howth sailors won two of the four races. Alan Ruigrok had his first championship win and this is sure to be the first of many. In addition, European Team member, Diana Kissane pulled up her socks right at the end to win race 4.

Here are the results of the HYC members who took part:

71157Alan RUIGROK
111153Diana KISSANE
141166Ross DARMODY
171115Suzanne BURKE
18927Katie WHITE
261163Patrick DIX
291155Scott FLANIGAN
421040Conor MURPHY
431015Alexander RUMBALL
561057Oliver KEENAN
67888Meghan DARMODY
721138Aisling BYRNE-RYAN
841077Alison DIX

Tim O'Laoire and Alyson Rumball were absent due to participation in the Danish Nationals before competing in the Optimist World Championships in St.Moritz in Switzerland.

Adam Lawless, Andrew Ryan and Andrew Tyrrell were on holidays or otherwise engaged.

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