Irish International 420 Class Association

The Irish 420 fleet arrived in Lough Derg last weekend for the End of Seasons. Many boats partook in a three day training course with Olympian Ger Owens and former 420 sailor Rob Lehane prior to the event, while others were coached by Tom Mapleback for three days in Galway. Overall the fleet came to the event very well prepared. The event was held in surprisingly sunny conditions but with that sun came very little wind and bitterly cold weather.

15 boats participated in the event. They came from all corners of the country, be it Cork, Galway, Dublin or even Waterford. Overall this made for some very good racing for all.

There were four races run on Saturday in a light but steady breeze. Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove lead the fleet that evening closely followed by Patrick Crosbie and Grattan Roberts. Aaron O'Reilly and Roisin Jordan lead silver fleet on joint points with Rian Conboy and Rhona Furey.

Conditions were much lighter on Sunday and even getting out to the race course was a struggle in the glass like lake. Boats drifted slowly, using spinnaker poles as paddles and rocking their boats vigorously in an attempt to reach the race course. These conditions improved briefly at the beginning of the first race but the wind quickly reduced back down to nothing and concentration became key. The race had to be finished at the leeward mark. In the continued light winds we proceeded with the sixth race. This race was started in very little wind and was also finished early. Some wind filled in near the end but this didn’t happen until after the first boat had finished.

In the end the overall winners were Patrick Crosbie and Grattan Roberts (RCYC), Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove (HYC) finished second while Sean and Tadgh Donnelly (NYC) finished third. Aaron O’Reilly and Roisin Jordan (GBSC) won the silver fleet with Rian Conboy and Rhona Furey taking second.

At the prizegiving PRO John and Adair Leech received a vote of thanks for their continued support of the class having managed racing at three of the association's events this year.

- Jack Lee