AFLOAT 2016 SPRING ISSUE
Firefly racing for Irish varsity honours at Kilrush in County Clare Photo: UCD Sailing Club
29er youth crew wanted After coming close to qualifying for the 2015 Youth Worlds after only eight months in a 29er, Royal Cork youth Harry Durcan is seeking a crew to compete at the front of the 29er fleet in European, World and Youth World Championships, with the ultimate goal of medaling at these events.
UCD reigned at the Varsity Team Racing Championships at Kilrush Marina in County Clare, the last national event of the year in the college sailing calendar. The event kicked off on Thursday with 27 teams from 11 different universities from Ireland and the UK competing in 4 different round–robin flights. UCC1, Loughborough University, CIT and UCD1 came out on top of each flight after the first day. The teams were split into Gold, Silver and Bronze for a second round–robin on Friday before entering the knock–out stages on Saturday. The quarter finals saw
some intense racing with Trinity winning over the undefeated reigning champions, UCC1. UCD1 raced UCD2 in the semi–finals and Trinity came up against Loughborough University.
Ratings offer UK choice The UK's IRC Nationals are among 11 regional and special championships around Great Britain and the Channel Islands to be fought out under the IRC Rating rule, giving plenty of choice for Irish sailors - though the Scottish Championships clash with the Irish Nationals at Howth YC from 10-12 June.
The best–of –five final came down to colours rivals, UCD and Trinity in light, challenging conditions. While Trinity won the first race, UCD came back with 3 consecutive wins, taking the varsities title. UCD2 were the third placed team. Full Results: Gold Fleet: 1.UCD1 2. TCD1 3.UCD2 4.Loughborough University
Close Crossing: Royal Cork in red narrowly cross ahead in there round robin match against the DutchPhotos Zagas
Road to Rio – Irish Lasers in Gran Canaria
RCYC Second at Greek 2K Regatta Royal Cork Yacht Club was represented at a 2K Team Racing Regatta hosted by the Yacht Club of Greece in early March. The two boat team, skippered by Fred Cudmore and George Kingston finished second, to a very strong Spinnaker Auspicious team, representing Spinnaker Sailing Club from the UK. The racing took place on the Saronic Gulf, F o r
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in Plateau 25s, over 3 days. The Royal Cork team was joined by 7 other teams, representing 5 different countries. ‘2K’ (2 keelboats) racing is a form of team racing where two boats sail against an opposing set, around a short and exciting course. The RCYC team was Fred Cudmore, Lisa Tait, Philip, Sarah and Eimear O’Leary, George Kingston, Emma Geary and Philip McGlade. r a c i n g
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Ballyholme's James Espey (right) makes a start at the Laser European Championships. 11 male and female Laser sailors, inlcuding the Rio Olympic trialists from around the Irish coast competed in the March championships in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Full report on Afloat.ie here: http://goo. gl/LMlgJd
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Photos: Bob Bateman
UCD win varsity championships at Kilrush marina