RCYC at UK Nationals at WPNSA

The ILCA UK nationals were held from 12th to 17th August at Weymouth Portland National Sailing centre with over two hundred and fifty boats from UK, Ireland and several other countries.   There were eight sailors from Ireland competing with two from Royal Cork, Andrew Kingston and Cormac Byrne (also Ballyholme YC). Sailing was scheduled for six days with two races a day in large fleets and a significant trip to the sailing area each day. The qualiying series started in light shifty winds from the land in very warm, sometimes up to 30C heat. Coming soon after the European championships at Ballyholme presented the ILCA 6 group to continue at a very high championship sailing. The group took the opportunity to get out for a meal in Weymouth and enjoyed the week.

Andrew Kingston had an excellent regatta qualifying in the gold fleet in ILCA 6 and had several good results including a third place. He finished in overall top twenty, sixth U19 dropping a few places on the final day by missing the last race to allow him catch a flight home. The race officer had a challenge in getting the final start away with nearly a dozen black flags as sailors were keen on getting finished. Cormac had a fine finish in the what turned out to be the final qualiifying race to make the gold fleet. Lucy Ives also had a very solid regatta finishing as third female in ILCA 6.  The ILCA 6 championship overall was won by Matilda Nicholls who dominated from the beginning and finished in style with a win in the final race. She may be a challenger to Hannah Snellgrove in the future.

In the ILCA 7 fleet Fiachra McDonnell finished a very credible eight place after a solid week ahead of Tom Coulter in seventeenth.

Onwards now to the Irish ILCA Nationals being held at the National YC from Aug 23rd -25th.

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