Squib Nationals Title Stays in the North
Ross Nolan and Gordon Patterson from the Royal North of Ireland YC are the 2011 Squib National Champions, retaining their title at Howth Yacht Club by five points in a 7-race series (sponsored by SIAC Construction) in which they were consistently in the top three of the 37-boat fleet.
Sailing 'Quickstep III', the Cultra duo took the trophy ahead of clubmates David Eccles and Philip Hutchinson in 'Inshallah' while a strong performance from Howth's Fergus O'Kelly and Jonathan Wormald in 'Whipper Snapper' was rewarded with 3rd overall.
In stark contrast to the heavy conditions of the second day, the final race was delayed for over an hour until there was sufficient wind to start. Race Officer Derek Bothwell was later obliged to shorten the race which was won by the eventual series runners-up.
Another RNIYC boat, 'Born Wild' (T&J Anderson) was second with O'Kelly/Wormald in third but 5th for 'Quickstep III' was more than enough to see Nolan and Patterson deservedly top the series.
Howth's Jonathan Craig and Hazel Ruane in 'Kerfuffle' will be well satisfied with 4th overall, a point ahead of Travellers' Trophy winners Peter Wallace and Kerry Boomer in 'Toy for the boys' from Cultra.
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