Irish International 420 Class Association

The 420 Nationals 2011 were hosted on the weekend of the 3rd and 4th of September by Cumann Seoilteoireachta an Spideil in County Galway.

Fifty sailors attended the National event representing their various clubs; Lough Foyle Sailing Club, Skerries Sailing Club, Glandore Sailing Club, Malahide Yacht Club, Wexford Harbour Boat and Tennis club, Tralee Bay Sailing Club, Royal Cork Yacht Club, Royal St. George Yacht Club, Howth Yacht Club, Galway Bay Sailing Club and Cumann Seoilteoireachta an Spidéil.

It was a weekend of blustery weather with cloudy grey Connemara skies and choppy sea conditions. Race Officer John Leech, anticipating the weather due in on Sunday, made the call early to go for 4 races on Saturday, not the usual target of 3. The fleet launched from the cove in front of the sailing club and skilfully exited out through the narrow gap in the perilous rocks to sail out to the race course. By noon, races were under way....

Race one was won by Helm Patrick Crosbie and his crew Chloe Crosbie, both from RCYC, however 2nd place was unclear until after a protest was heard concerning water at the mark which resulted in Fiona Daly TBSC and her crew, and brother, Patrick Daly TBSC remaining in 2nd place while Risteard Mac Riobaird RCYC and Donal de Brún TBSC claimed 3rd place. The best result in the Silver fleet was taken by a novice 420 helm and crew, Adam Hyland and Cian Guilefoyle, both from RSGYC, who finished in an amazing 5th place at their first 420 regatta!.

Mac Riobaird and de Brún were first over the finish line in race 2, followed by the Dalys in 2nd place and the very compatible partnership of Donal and Jack Collins, brothers, from GBSC in 3rd place, all Gold fleet sailors. In this race the best Silver fleet result was 4th place, taken by Peter McCann and Grattan Roberts, both from RCYC ,who displayed great promise while sailing together in a 420 for the first time.

The wind was stronger for the next race and the fleet had some difficulty locating the marks due to the swell and choppy conditions. In this race, the 3rd of the day, Fiona and Patrick Daly claimed first place, to be followed in 2nd place by the Crosbies, and an, up and coming, all female boat from Malahide in Dublin, took 3rd place, helmed by Lizzie McDowell with Orlagh Thompson as crew.The best Silver Fleet result in this race was taken by, the effective new partnership of Ronan Jones with his crew Liadh Conway, both from WHBTC.

Race Officer John Leech pressed on to fit a 4th race in, this time it was Fiona and Patrick again, who claimed the position of 1st place, to be followed in 2nd place by Mac Riobaird and de Brún, and in 3rd place by the Crosbie duo!. The best result in Silver was, for a 3rd time on the day, taken by newcomers, Robert Dickson helm from HYC and Sean Waddilove crew from SSC.

After an exciting and challenging day out on the water, sailors wearily rinsed off their gear, shelved their protests and went to the Cruiscín Lán for a most enjoyable complementary meal.

As predicted, the weather was unsuitable for sailing on Sunday, so sailors attended to the de-rigging of their boats, while protests were heard before the final results were announced, and the prize giving took place!

When final results were calculated, the National Title along with the “Cup” went to the successful team of Fiona and Patrick Daly, Gold fleet, both from Tralee Bay Sailing Club in Fenit, Co. Kerry. Congratulations to these two sailors who showed great determination and sailed extremely well this weekend! Patrick and Chloe Crosbie of Royal Cork Yacht Club finished 2nd overall while the “gaeilgeoirs”, for the weekend, Mac Riobaird and de Brún finished in 3rd place.

The first all girl crew prize went to Lizzie Mc Dowell and Orlagh Thompson of Malahide Yacht Club.

Ronan Jones and Liadh Conway of Wexford Harbour Boat and Tennis Club were overall winners of the Silver fleet, finishing in 6th place overall. Second place in Silver went to Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove who also finished 7th overall while 3rd place in Silver went to Cian Walsh and Fiachra McHugh, both from Galway Bay Sailing Club where this year, many new 420 partnerships have been formed. A Prize was awarded to the best boat from GBSC , Donal and Jack Collins, who sailed a very consistent regatta, and to the best boat from Cumann Seoilteoireachta an Spidéil, Sam Kinirons and Oisin Hamilton.

The Irish 420 Class Association is very grateful to Billy Keady and team from Cumann Seoilteoireachta an Spidéil for hosting a successful National event and also to John Leech, Race Officer, who has continued to support the class for the past number of years. The support of the ISA, by the provision of Tom Mapplebeck as coach for developing sailors should also be noted, we are very grateful to them for this invaluable assistance.

The next event to take place is the End of Seasons at Lough Derg Yacht Club on the 29th and 30th of October. Slán!

Lorna Browne