Howth Yacht Club has had 59 members sign up to take part in their Masts & Rigging-sponsored Virtual Regatta eRacing Spring Series. Thus with each eRace accommodating up to 20 “helms”, this past week saw three leagues being run side-by-side writes Christina Knowles. And with worthwhile marine equipment prizes provided by the sponsors through Gavin Laverty, interest is still rising among newcomers, who can join by signing up to a WhatsApp group to get Sailing Instructions and Race Codes to start, then log into Zoom to chat live at event time.
The entire eRacing programme was set up by techno-whizz Teddy Byrne, who is officially Brian Byrne, son-in-law of former ICRA supremo Nobby Reilly. He had initially started a League every Tuesday and Thursday evening since Lockdown began, and with the experience gained and the new muscle provided by the Masts & Riggings sponsorship, this week sees a sophisticated and attractive product being available for sailors frustrated from getting their racing afloat.
With Teddy Byrne still the “Principal Race Officer”, the two additional Leagues are run by Emmet Dalton and Ryan Sinnott.
There are two races run each Tuesday and Thursday at 8pm, and the banter-filled sessions have provided so much sport and entertainment that sometimes they add in an extra fun race whereby the winner gets a pint promised, and bragging rights guaranteed.
Results are online but in brief for Leagues 1, 2 & 3 the top placings went to:
- League 1:1st Shane Diviney, 2nd Czema Pico and our organiser Teddy Byrne who had a great win last Tuesday
- League 2: 1st Stephen Mullaney followed closely by 2nd George Curley and 3rd Sergio Olaya
- League 3: 1st Emmet Dalton, 2nd Catherine Pitcher & 3rd Willem Harting
HYC have also donated a prize for each league of a bottle of rum, while Nobby Reilly has promised any outsider (HYC Guest) a bottle of finest Champagne if they have a win. It certainly helps everyone get through what is hoped are the final stages of Lockdown, and Howth YC are keenly anticipating the time when the prizes can be officially handed over in the Clubhouse, where competitors can finally enjoy the celebration with a few long-awaited pints.