The Oppie circuit was in full swing last weekend as East Antrim Boat Club hosted almost 100 sailors and their families for the Ulster Championships.
The next day, as the sun shone and the craic started to build, the main fleet took to the water. Racing was overseen by Richard Doig, the weekend's Principal Race Officer. Three very competitive races were held in champagne sailing conditions.
The younger sailors on the Regatta Fleets were treated to four races with the support of Race Officer Gavin Doig and supported by IODAI head coach Adam Walsh and his team. Leading from the front were some familiar family surnames to the Oppie world, but what was really encouraging to see was how the confidence of the least experienced sailors in the Coached Regatta fleet grew as the weather and sail area really lent itself to having those sailors spend lots of time in their boats at such an early point in the summer.
The following morning, the Racing Regatta Fleet undertook another four more races. The overall winner was Leo Smith (RStGYC). In second was Oliver Gunderson (SLYC), who learnt about the perils of downwind kiting on more than one occasion. Local sailor Tom Brownlees took third, and Charlotte McGaughey (Prestwick Sailing Club) ended her weekend with 2 bullets just ahead of Anna Williams (SLYC).
14 of the youngest sailors, from the age of 8, took advantage of amazing weather on Saturday and mixed it up with the Racing Regatta Fleet in the Coached Regatta Fleet. On Sunday, they took a more relaxed approach in the lee of the clubhouse and did some more coaching and racing led by their coach, Joseph Karauzum. On the podium were Tom Kingston (KYC), Will McElligott (RCYC), Kate Donagh (RStGYC/LDYC), Caoimhe Duane (LRYC) and Kate Walsh (RStGYC).
Racing in the Senior Fleet was as competitive as ever, and while Juliet Ryan (RStGYC/MYC/HYC) held her overnight lead to take first place, she was closely followed by Kate Spain (RStGYC/HYC) and their fellow George teammates Max O’Hare, Emily and Lily Donagh who all won prizes in the gold feet. First place and also the winner of the Sportsmanship award went to Luke Power (RCYC) in the silver fleet ahead of James Crawford (RStGYC), Tara Hayes, Emily Lynch and Conor Lynch of the Royal Cork. First in the bronze fleet was Donnchadh Duanne (LRYC), with Jackson Clark (RStGYC), Amy Shelly (RStGYC), Ethan Harte (SDC) and Hugo Breen (LRYC) following.
Winner of East Antrim's IODAI Optimist Ulster Championships Junior Fleet, Oliver Ryan (RSGYC/MYC/HYC) with President of IODAI, and Dad Paddy Ryan
Not content with letting his big sister steal the show, Ollie Ryan (RStGYC/MYC) led the Junior Main fleet home after six very competitive races and left with the trophy. First in the gold fleet was Alex Butcher (NYC/MYC), who was chased hard by Isaac Vaughan (RCYC) all weekend. With 30 sailors racing the bronze fleet in junior main, it was the most competitive fleet at the event. Standout sailor taking first place in the bronze fleet and second place overall was Clara McElligott (RCYC/LDYC). The points were tightly packed from thereon, and Arthur Fegan (MYC/ RStGYC), Ava Molloy (RStGYC), Louis Trickett (NYC) and Aabha Brennan-Hobbs (NYC) chased hard for silverware.
Leo Smyth of the RSGYC was the winner of Regatta Racing at East Antrim's IODAI Optimist Ulster Championships
At the prizegiving, Commodore Chris Dorman thanked all the volunteers and organisers for making the weekend such a success. Having just hosted an RS event the weekend before and then 100 Optimists and their families, this was no small feat for the club.
The following sailors have been upgraded to Gold and Silver following EABC Ulsters 2024.
Juniors (Bronze to Silver)
Arthur Fegan, 2nd JU24, 1st JC23
Seniors (Bronze to Silver)
Donnchadh Duane, 3rd MJ23, 1st SU24
Hugo Breen, 5thJC22, 5th SU24
Seniors (Silver to Gold)
James Crawford, 5th SC23, 2nd SU24
Conor Lynch, 3rd SC23, 5th SU24
Next up on the Oppie calendar is the Munsters in Crosshaven on June 15/16.
