Although our own domestic season is still many weeks away, six 29er partnerships elected to travel to the UK to compete in the 48 boats UK Winters. Grafham Water is the traditional venue for the event and despite a challenging forecast, the event did not disappoint with five competitive races completed.
We were kept on deck Saturday until all hope of racing was blown away in winds averaging 25-30 kts from the west. The race officer certainly tried and even had his course set up, but the wind never dropped and an attempt to launch at 14.00 was eventually abandoned.
Coaches Thomas Chaix and Chris Bateman focussed on boat work and venue specifics with the sailors to use the time effectively.
Sunday welcomed the sailors with a very different picture! Sunny, cold and light.
The first race started in 4-6 knots and It was an Irish boat making its move from the right side of the course. New partnership with 14-year-old Emily Conan and recently transferring from helming to crewing Lauren O'Callaghan had a narrow lead at the first windward. They worked hard and eventually settled with 4th in the initial race. The rest of the Irish contingent were certainly a bit rusty with mid fleet finishes.
The second race remained light enough but this time the team had warmed up with Clementine Van steenberge crewed by her brother Nathan leading the charge just ahead of Cork boys Ben O'Shaughnessy and James Dwyer. Unfortunately, gear issues forced the NYC partnership to retire, letting their teammates take line honours. Emily and Lauren were once more solid securing 10th.
A fast repair was completed back ashore with the help of the ever-inventive Chris Bateman and the Van Steenberges were rushed back afloat making the 3rd race start on time. The breeze picked up to 8-9 kts. The Irish secured another few solid results with the Cork boys taking 3rd, the Van Steenberge 5th and Emily and Lauren yet another 10th bringing them into the lead in the ladies. Johnny Flynn and crew Ethan Spain also progressed with the breeze picking up.
The 4th race was certainly the windiest with 12-14 kts. The Van Steenberge siblings showed their skills and despite a boat not operating at 100% of capabilities downwind they took the lead and never let go. Johnny and Ethan enjoyed the extra pressure to secure 3rd, just one ahead of Ben and James. It was all to play for the overall trophy with the RCYC partnership only a couple of points off before the last race and the discard yet to kick in.
The breeze dropped a little in the final race. Both the leading GBR boat and the Irish were deep at the first windward, so started the big comeback. Ben and James climbed to 5th with their opponent up to 7th... It, unfortunately, proved to be one mere point short and the event went to their GBR opponent on count back. Clementine and Nathan started strong losing a few places on the final run. Their 8th was enough to climb them back into the prizes (6th overall and 2nd Mixed team). Lauren McDowell and Erin McIllwain scored their best finish of the day in 16th just ahead of Emily and Lauren who, for their first event together finished 7th overall and won the ladies.
Junior pairing William Walsh (who was still sailing his optimist in October) and Sorcha Gannon-O'Connor had a challenging event but it is such exposure to good racing that will support their progress going forward.
Full results here
The next stop for the Irish 29ers is the Med Cup in El Balis (Spain)
