L. to R. Nicholas Bendon CH Marine, Principal Sponsor, Rob Foster, Class Captain, Michael Ó Suilleabhán KYC, National Junior and Open Champion, Admiral Pat Lyons and IODAI President, Aidan Staunton. Pic Robert Bateman
The wind gods left the best wine for last and it certainly tasted good on the last day of racing at the CH Marine Irish Optimist National and Open Championships. The wind was up to about 15 knots most of the time and the sun was shining most of the time. What more could anyone ask! PRO David O’Brien again set the course for the Senior and Junior Fleets on the Eastern Bank and to cater for the north west wind set the committee boat close to the Aghada shore. Two races were sailed for both Senior and Junior fleets and it was all over by 14.30hrs to allow competitors make their way home. However a number of protests were received and the Protest Committee was convened for hearings.
Meanwhile , PRO Eddie Rice’s Regatta Fleet again sailed on the Curlane Bank. Not all of the 52 competitors in this fleet sailed today as the conditions were a bit trying for the inexperienced.
The scene after racing had finished was a veritable hive of activity as the competitors, their families and helpers rushed to get away after the prize giving. However, it soon became apparent this was not to be as a protest was going ahead and meant a delay was unavoidable. As many people had ferries to catch and long journeys this meant they could not wait for the prize giving and among these was the new Open Senior Champion Vita Heathcote RIYMYC.
The array of prizes handed out was huge and as the prizes for today were also sponsored by CH Marine Nicholas Bendon MD of the company was there to do the honours in presenting these prizes.
In the Regatta Fleet the overall champion is Moss Simmington RStGYC .
1st Junior Silver Rory O’Sullivan RCYC. 2nd Junior Silver Conor Gorman NYC. 3rd Junior Silver James Hassett RCYC. Best Local Sailor Silver Fleet Sophia McKeown RCYC. Junior Silver First Girl Kate Fahy LDYC/RStGYC.
1stJunior Gold, National and Open Champion.Michael ÓShuilleabháin KYC. Best under 11 and Best Local Sailor Junior Gold Fleet Robert Keal RCYC. Best under 10 Eve McMahon. Best under 9 Trevor Bolger.
Iriah Senior National Champion James McCann receiving his award from Admiral Pat Lyons
It was then the turn of the Senior Fleet to receive their prizes:
1st Senior Silver Jack Fahy LDYC/RStGYC. 2nd Silver James Spillane RCYC. 3rd Senior Silver Emily Whitaker RCYC.
Vita Heathcote First Senior Gold and Open Champion. Pic Robert Bateman
1st Senior Gold and Open Senior Champion Vita Heathcote RIYMYC. 2nd Senior Gold Emilia BoyleRIYC, 3rd Senior Gold, Irish Senior National Champion and Best Irish sailor at Optimist European Championships James McCann. Senior Gold First Girl and best under 13 Irish Clare Gorman NYC.
Rear Admiral Dinghies Celine McGrath took the opportunity on the occasion of the prize giving to make a special presentation to former Optimist sailor Adam D’Arcy RCYC on his silver medal achievement in the 2014 International Topper Class World Championships. Read Story HERE
Rear Admiral Dinghies Celine McGrath, making a presentation to Adam D’Arcy in recognition of his Silver Medal win at the International Topper Class World Championships, Pic Robert Bateman
The 2015 Irish Optimist National and Open Championships will take place at Skerries Sailing Club.
Full Results HERE
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