The Irish Etchells Championships at Howth - sponsored by Euro Car Parks - was limited to a single race of just two legs on the second day due to lack of wind, with the leader after the first three races, Peter McNeill of Australia being declared the winner, narrowly ahead of the UK’s Julia Bailey, the winner of the fourth and final race, writes Graham Smith.
Sunday proved to be a frustrating time, both for competitors and the race management team. The first start yielded a general recall with the flood tide pushing the fleet over the line and with light shifting north-easterly airs, it took another 45 minutes before everything could be sorted to re-start the 29-boat fleet.
PRO David Lovegrove and his tem were left with no option other than shortening the course at the leeward gate. It gave Julia Bailey of Royal Thames on ‘Stampede’ the double pleasure of winning the race and beating her husband Graham (on ‘Arbitrator’) into second place while another lady helm Mary O’Loughlin of HYC and her all-female crew on ‘Ladies Who Launch’ certainly enjoyed 3rd place.
Peter McNeill and his crew from Lake Macquarie YC near Sydney, the World Champions in 2004, could only manage 10th in the shortened race, a result which tied him with Julia Bailey yet giving him the nod on countback. Discussion about the differences between the NOR and Sailing Instructions then ensued, with the Jury deciding that the latter document was the most recent and therefore most accurate interpretation of the rules.
The Australians were then confirmed as Irish Champions, with Bailey second and Dan O’Grady and his Howth crew on ‘Kootamundra Wattle’, despite finishing in the bottom half of the fourth race, taking the bronze, one point ahead of the America’s Cup legend John Bertrand of Australia.
Sam Carter of Draycote Water SC, Jake Gunther of Australia and the Burrows family from Howth filled the next three places respectively. As if to illustrate the close competition in one-design racing at this level, only four points separated 3rd from 10th in the overall standings.
The event provided an interesting look at form before the World Championships - supported by Fingal County Council, Irish Sports Council and Dublin Tourism - starts in Howth on Monday 23rd August. If the 29-boat Irish Nationals fleet looked impressive on the water, the 43-boat Worlds’ entry will be some sight.
Each race in the Nationals had a different winner so consistency, as always, will be the biggest factor in deciding the next World Champion on Saturday 28th August.
