Racing in the waters of Red Bay in County Antrim, Ballyholme Yacht Club's Ryan Seaton won this weekend's Ulster Laser sailing championships, which was hosted by Cushendall Sailing and Boating Club. Some 88 boats took part in the two-day provincial sailing championships, with five races taking place over Saturday and Sunday. Sailors from Radial, 4.7 and standard Laser fleets competed.
Tiffany Brien, also from Ballyholme, won the Ladies National championships, with Courtown Sailing Club's Ruth Harrington in second place and Annalise Murphy from Dún Laoghaire's National Yacht Club taking third.
Bangor-based Ballyholme dominated the leaderboard. Seaton's top spot, came on the back of four wins out of five races. Club mate James Espey took second place while Chris Penney from East Antrim Boat Club in Larne, was third.
In the 4.7 fleet, Kinsale's Conor Murphy took the top spot. Emma Cooney from the National Yacht Club was second, while Wicklow's Finn Lynch took third place for Blessington Sailing Club.
Ladies champion Tiffany Brien also topped the Radial class. Robbie Gilmore from Strangford Lough Yacht Club was second with Strangford clubmate Christopher Eames in third place.
Local participants from Cushendall Sailing and Boating Club Stephen McLernon finished 6th in the standard fleet; while Paul McLaughlin finished 12th in the Radial fleet and his cousin Catherine McLaughlin finished 15th.
Amongst the entrants were seven former, current and future Olympian sailors, including: Ryan Seaton (Ballyholme YC); James Espey (Ballyholme YC); Chris Penney (East Antrim BC); Bill O'Hara (Ballyholme YC); Cathy MacAleavey (National YC); Tiffany Brien (Ballyholme YC) and Annalise Murphy (National YC).
Cushendall Commodore Emmet Connon said: "This weekend's event has been a great success for both the Cushendall club and the nearly 100 sailors that took part. We had great sunshine over both days, and a range of wind and sea conditions that would have challenged both new sailors and the veterans amongst the fleets."
"Between the sailors and their supporters and families, hundreds of people travelled to Cushendall over the weekend. This was a great boost to the local economy, and very welcome indeed in these times.
"The success of the event was only possible thanks to the hard work of all of the volunteers and staff. It is a great reflection of our club's professionalism and ability to hold large, enjoyable events. We look forward to hosting more great sailing events over the next year as the club celebrates its 50th anniversary," he added.
Competitors from 23 clubs across the country took part including from: Ballyholme (Bangor, Co Down), Baltimore (Co Cork), Blessington (Co Wicklow), Carlingford Lough (Rostrevor, Co Down), Courtown (Co Wexford), Cushendall (Co Antrim), Donaghadee (Co Down), East Antrim (Larne, Co Antrim), Howth (Co Dublin), Killyleagh (Co Down), Kinsale (Co Cork), Lough Derg (Dromineer, Co Tipperary), Lough Erne (Co Fermanagh), Malahide (Co Dublin), Monkstown Bay (Co Cork), National YC (Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin), Royal Cork YC (Co Dublin), Royal Irish YC (Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin), Royal St. George YC (Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin), Rush (Co Dublin), Skerries (Co Dublin), and Strangford Lough (Killinchy, Co Down).
