Navigating November weather can be a stern test for regional championship events, yet the 420 dinghy fleet returned to Lough Ree Yacht Club on Ireland's inland waters for the second consecutive weekend, where they were met with ideal 420 sailing conditions. With fifteen boats competing in what was traditionally a poorly attended end-of-season event, the 420 fleet is showing a resurgence of interest.
Lough Ree also hosted the 420 fleet over the previous bank holiday week for their annual late autumn three-day intensive training camp meticulously overseen by Graeme Grant and supported by Cara McDowell and a team of experienced 420 coaches. The forty-two participating sailors had the opportunity to perfect their processes and chart a winter training and boat work plan with the coaches.
During the intervening week, the initial weather forecast was ominous, but thankfully, Lough Ree was spared Storm Ciaran. As the sailors gathered on Saturday morning, they were met with a direct north wind and waves coursing down Lough Ree. These conditions led to competitive races and a fair share of capsizes for the silver fleet in the squalls. Race officer Garrett Leech organised three races on an Olympic triangle course, with Cora McNaughton (BSC) and Sean Cronin (MYC) leading with two race wins over Sean Lemonnier and Killian Mathieu (GBSC) at the end of racing on Saturday.
Sunday brought steadier winds, calmer waters, sunshine, and showers. After three more races, the Waterford Harbour duo of Max Sweetman and Fionn Lynch moved from third place overnight, taking three bullets to win Gold Fleet and the new Ulster Bowl Trophy. Cora McNaughton (Blessington Sailing Club) and Sean Cronin (Malahide Yacht Club) took second place, and Sean Lemonier and Killian Mathieu (Galway Bay Sailing Club) finished third.
Max Sweetman and Fionn Lynch were the Gold Fleet winners of the 420 Ulster Championships held at Lough Ree Yacht Club
Cora McNaughton and Sean Cronin were second in Gold Fleet at the 2023 420 Ulster Championships held at Lough Ree Yacht Club
Sean Lemonnier and Killian Mathieu of Galway Bay Sailing Club were third in Gold Fleet at the 2023 420 Ulster Championships held at Lough Ree Yacht Club
The Silver Fleet category was a hotly contested affair between the eleven boats and the new Royal Cork YC pairing of Isha Duggan and Tommy Hiras, holding off Galway Bay SC Eoin Morrin and Owen Cosgrave by two points overnight but pulling clear on Sunday with two fourths to take the Silver Fleet Bowl. Kinsale YC / Royal Cork YCs Caoimhe Corkery and Lucy Moynan were second, and Eoin Morrin and Owen Cosgrave took the third spot.
Isha Duggan and Tommy Hiras of Royal Cork were winners of the silver fleet of the 2023 420 Ulster Championships held at Lough Ree Yacht Club
Caoimhe Corkery and Lucy Moynan of KYC/RCYC were second in the silver fleet of the 2023 420 Ulster Championships held at Lough Ree Yacht Club
Eoin Morrin and Owen Cosgrove of GBSC were third in the silver fleet of the 2023 420 Ulster Championships held at Lough Ree Yacht Club
"Lough Ree Yacht Club were superb hosts, sincere thanks to the volunteers on and off the water: said 420 President Martina Whyte.
It was great to witness an influx of new sailors joining the fleet, and coaching and racing are underway for all 420 regions throughout the country for the winter season. To echo the words of Seamus Heaney, “If we winter this one out, we can summer anywhere.” Exciting times for the 420 fleet in the season ahead, she added.
The next event on the 420 Calendar is the Munster Championships, with training at Kinsale Yacht Club during the February mid-term school holiday.
