Ulster's. At last! Some photos now in gallery, but surely there are more? Please send them to editor@iodai.com

Have you got the right sprit?  The packing up operation at Royal North was a bit hectic and carried out in terrible weather conditions.  A number of people are missing sprits. Some have the wrong sprits.  Full details of missing sprits and other found, lost and left behind property are on the lost and found pages.

It would be a good idea if ALL competitors could check that they have the right sprit.  This may save you some trouble when you go to a future event where measurement takes place.

Could all support boat owners please check their RIB's just in case a sprit has been left on board and hasn't been spotted.

Event Report  (This report was written for the local paper so it does contain a local flavour)

The Friday evening sunshine at Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club saw the arrival of the Irish Optimist Circuit for its final regional event of the season, the Ardmore Advertising sponsored Ulster Championships.  The record entry of 125 sailors ranged in age from 8 years old to 15.  They arrived with their boats, their parents in support and their own fleet of 17 support RIB’s.  They filled North Down’s hotels, guesthouses, B&B’s, campsites and spare bedrooms to the maximum.  

The Friday evening sunshine was not to last and although the fleet launched in hazy conditions on Saturday morning a steadily increasing breeze confined Principal Race Officer Nigel Kearney to only two races of the scheduled three for the day.  Increasing wind and rain did not bring back memories of last year’s event which was held in glorious sunshine.  The racing was nonetheless intense and with the World and European Championships only a few weeks away, the Irish Team sailors were using the event as their final session before travelling to venues Lake Garda in Italy and Athens.

With a poor forecast for Sunday it was looking like the completion of the event might be in jeopardy with strong winds scheduled to kick in around lunchtime.  A prompt launch of the fleet to ensure racing commenced at the scheduled start time of 10 30am saw two successful races completed just before the bad weather came in.  With four races completed, the championships were decided.

Although the Green Life-Jacketed Team sailors were predominant in the top 14 places of the 51 strong Senior fleet they did not have it completely their own way with up and coming performances from Conor Lyden from Royal Cork Yacht Club 4^th; Amy Harrington also Royal Cork 9^th; and best local sailor Holly Campbell from host club Royal North in 11^th place. 

Killian O’Keeffe took the Senior Championship from Royal Cork club mate and last year’s winner Richard Harrington in 2nd spot.  Third place and best girl was taken by Howth Yacht Club’s, Ali Dix – a commendable result considering that she incurred a black flag penalty in the final race.  Killian heads off to Athens next month to represent Ireland at the World Championships, while both Richard and Ali have only a few days rest before heading to Lake Garda for the Europeans.

The top places in the Junior fleet, for sailors under-12 on 31^st December this year, was no less hotly contested and with several black flag starts, many were hoping for at least a four race programme to allow the discard to kick in and relieve them of disqualification penalties.  Sunday’s delayed forecast of stronger winds allowed the required two races and the discard saw quite a bit of movement in the top six places which have been switching consistently in the previous three regionals.  Carrying a black flag penalty, Seafra Guilfoyle from Royal Cork must have been very relieved when the start of a fourth race was signalled.  He went on to win the final race snatching victory by one point from fellow club mate Peter McCann.  Philip Brownlow came third to make it a one, two, three for the Crosshaven based club.  Waterford Harbour Sailing Club’s Ruairi Finnegan 4^th split the Royal Cork dominance by pipping Royal Cork’s Patrick Crosbie into 5^th place by one point.  Next came top junior local boat with Royal North’s Craig Campbell in 6^th place.  Royal North’s other competitor in the junior fleet Jack Brien finished a very credible 13^th out of 45 boats.

Youngest sailors on the water were Niamh Henry from Royal St George Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire who celebrates her 9^th birthday next month.  She is pushing on a bit compared to Ronan Cournane, Kinsale Yacht Club who doesn’t leave the eight year old ranks until October.  Both competed in the Junior fleet.

Regarded by many as the most important fleet on the “Oppie” circuit, the regatta fleet saw children aged from 9 to 12 years getting to grips with racing for the first time.  Race Officer David Hill organised safe coaching sessions on Saturday morning in close proximity to the shore at Royal North moorings.  As proud but anxious parents looked on from the shore, many of the competitors got their first taste of racing in five short and challenging races.   Peter Regan from Lough Ree came out victorious with two wins in the final races from Stephen Craig, Royal St George who started with two wins but lost by only one point in the final tally of the results.

Best local boat in the Regatta fleet was Toby McCullough in 6^th place.  Harry Dobbs, Peter Brien and Ben Hunter, all from Royal North also competed.

Royal North’s clubhouse was packed to the limit as sailors, parents, and club members gathered for a noisy prize giving where all winners were given rapturous applause and cheers by their fellow competitors before making their long way home to all parts of Ireland.  There were strong representations of sailors from Skerries, Howth, Dun Laoghaire, Tralee, Lough Derg, Lough Ree, Waterford Harbour, Kinsale and Crosshaven.

Full results are available at www.iodai.com

The organisers of the event wish to thank Ardmore Advertising for their sponsorship; North Down Tourism for their support and efforts to accommodate so many visitors; all the companies who provided snack and fun items for the sailors and most importantly the volunteers and support agencies who made the event possible.

There are now 12 Optimists sailors sailing out of Royal North, the fleet obviously increasing as a result of the Ulster Championships being held at Royal North for the past two years.

The next big event on the optimist circuit is the Nationals which will be held in Tralee Bay Sailing Club from 19^th to 23^rd August.  Locally it hoped that the Optimist class will again be represented at the RYA Youth Championships on the 6^th and 7^th September at Carlingford Lough Yacht Club.

End

Directions to RNIYC from M1 motorway
Follow the M1 to Belfast.  When you reach the Westlink there are some roadworks.  Keep in the right hand lane heading for the M3 bridge. Once on the bridge follow the signs to Bangor.  You will pass Belfast City Airport on your left before you come to Tillysburn Junction.  Continue straight through the lights still heading for Bangor (the large Tesco will be on your right, IKEA turn-off to your left). Eventually you will pass through three sets of traffic lights as you bypass Holywood (watch the average speed cameras).  After these lights watch out for the Shell Garage on the left. Take the second left after this - Cultra Avenue.  Continue down this road until you reach the sea.   RNIYC will be on your right.

Map

Parking
Royal North does not have a car park.  Parking is permitted along the shore side of Seafront Road.  As this is a residential area we ask that you show consideration for our neighbours when parking. 

Our Neighbours
Competitors are asked to be considerate to our neighbours both when parking near driveways etc and when leaving the club after a nights revelry.

Taxis
There are very good local taxi services and you may find the following numbers useful:
Value Cabs: (028) 90809080
Holywood Taxis: (028) 90428812
Choice Cabs (Holywood): (028) 90427123
L.A. Cabs (Bangor): (028) 91270848
Taxis will generally come to pick-up fares at the pedestrian gate at the front of the clubhouse.  It is advisable to be standing there waiting or to keep a very good watch for your taxis arrival.

ATM
For that all important cash there are ATM's at the Shell and BP Filling Stations on the Main Road into Holywood.  If your card doesn't work in either of these there are branches of the major banks in Holywood High Street.

Chandlers
The nearest Chandler is McCready Sailboats in Holywood (about five minutes drive from the club)

Bar Staff and Catering
Gary is our bar Manager.  He and his staff are ready to serve you and make sure you are well supplied with that all-important liquid so essential to all sailing debriefs and plans of action for the next day
Our Caterers are Knots Catering, superbly and efficiently run by Lesley. She and her team will be under tremendous pressure to feed all you hungry sailors during the event and we are confident you will not only find the food of the highest standard but the service will be friendly and helpful.

click here for Notice of Race

click here for Entry Form Main Fleet

click here for Entry Form Regatta Fleet

click here Catering Booking Form

Accommodation is at a premiun for the weekend so if you manage to find accommodation, the best advice would be to take it.  There is some camping at the club and it would help us if you let us know if you wish to camp (028 90428041).  Mobile homes / camper vans will be facilitated a few doors away from the club in the grounds of a demolished house - fantastic sea views.

Basically anywhere in the Holywood; Bangor, Newtownards; areas are convenient and no more than 15 minutes from the club.  Belfast is also only 10 minutes from the club but hotels tend to be business hotels with expensive rates.  If you find somewhere and aren't sure whether it's convenient please either ring the club and speak to Eileen or David 028 90428041.  Or ring me (Fred Campbell) on 028 91852444 or 07771 570662. 

Here are some sites and addresses you may like to try:

http://www.bangor-countydown.co.uk/

http://www.bangor-local.com/accommodation.aspx?cat=BB

http://www.guide-to-nireland.com/down.htm#Slieve

http://www.irishbeds.com/down_bnb.html

http://www.hotels.uk.com/uk/County%20Down/Bangor%20(County%20Down)-hotels.htm