The Royal St. George Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire Co. Dublin played host to the second annual International Match Racing Challenge over the weekend of the 23rd and 24th July. Ireland’s top Match Racing Teams went head to head against a World Team, consisting of five international teams from Denmark, Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain.
A very experienced International line up, led by individual winner David Chapman (AUS), resulted in The World retaining the title they won last year. While the margin of victory was great, they were strongly pushed by a young Irish team who on paper were ranked far lower in the World Rankings. The final margin of victory was 29 points to 16.
An exciting part of the event’s entertainment package allowed individuals to actually experience the racing as it happened by sailing on board with a team in the “Hot Seat” position. Edel Edwards, who lives in Dublin, had never sailed before but stepped into the “Hot Seat” on Saturday not knowing what to expect. She sailed with both George Kingston's team (IRL) in Flight 7 and Sam Pearson (GBR) in Flight 8, and said that the experience surpassed her expectations, "Both teams were really welcoming and being so close to the action was fantastic. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.” Edel loved it so much she has decided to do an adult sailing course in the Royal St. George Yacht Club so that she can get out racing again soon.
Final Results:
1st David Chapman Australia World No. 43
2nd Sam Pearson Great Britain World No. 153
3rd Nicolai Sehested Denmark World No. 42
4th George Kingston Ireland World No. 877
5th Marty O’Leary Ireland World No. 395
6th Robbie Allam Great Britain World No. 79
7th Ben Duncan New Zealand World No. 200
8th Darragh O’Connor Ireland World No. 1323
9th Ben Scallan Ireland World No. 1674
10th John Downey Ireland Unranked
All Results, Photos, Videos and Individual Race Reports are available at
www.matchrace.posterous.com
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The Royal St. George Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire Co. Dublin will play host to the second annual International Match Racing Challenge over the weekend of the 23rd and 24th July in the ISA SailFleet J80's. Ireland’s top six Match Racing Teams will go head to head against a World Team, consisting of five international teams from Denmark, Australia, New Zealand and the UK.
The World Team
Nicolai Sehested DEN - World No. 42
David Chapman AUS - World No. 43
Robbie Allam GBR - World No. 79
Sam Pearson GBR - World No. 153
Ben Duncan NZL - World No. 200
At last year’s inaugural event, the World won the challenge with 36 wins to Ireland’s 29. Hence, next week, the home team will be even more determined to win the trophy!
For more information or to book the Spectator or ‘Hot Seat’ packages, please contact Sonja in the RSGYC’s Marketing Office on 01 280 1811 Ext 7 or email
events@rsgyc.ie.
www.matchrace.posterous.com
*** *** ***
The Royal St. George Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire Co. Dublin will play host to the second annual International Match Racing Challenge over the weekend of the 23rd and 24th July in the ISA SailFleet J80's. Ireland’s top six Match Racing Teams will go head to head against a World Team, consisting of six international teams from France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and the UK.
At last year’s inaugural event, the World won the challenge with 36 wins to Ireland’s 29. Hence, this year, the home team will be even more determined to win the trophy!
Be part of the action on board.
An exciting part of the event’s entertainment package will allow individuals to actually experience the racing as it happens by sailing on board with a team in the “Hot Seat” position. When in the “Hot Seat”, the individual will experience the thrills and tension of the race as it happens along with the competitors. There is also a Spectator Package, which will provide individuals with a bird’s eye view of all the racing as well the added bonus of firing the starting gun! Both the “Hot Seat” and Spectator Packages will offer a really memorable and authentic experience for you, your family, friends, staff or clients – a perfect gift or treat for yourself this summer.
Match Racing involves head to head racing between two identical boats over short 20 minute courses, with each boat having 4 crew members. At the end of the competition and after approximately 90 races there will be an overall individual winner. In addition, the combined scores of the six Irish teams and the six international teams will deliver an overall team winner – Ireland takes on the World!
Racing will take place in the spectator friendly Scotsman’s Bay, bordered on one side by Dun Laoghaire pier and on the other side by the Forty Foot, enabling great access to and views of the races for all members of the public throughout the weekend.
For more information or to book the Spectator or ‘Hot Seat’ packages, please contact Sonja in the RSGYC’s Marketing Office on 01 280 1811 Ext 7 or email
events@rsgyc.ie.
www.matchrace.posterous.com
EVENT PACKAGES
Both Packages are available on the two days. Places are limited so early booking is advised.
Package One
THE HOT SEAT
€200 per person
Experience the thrills and tension of the race as it happens aboard!
12:00 Meet and Greet in Club
12:30 Race Briefing and Intro to the Event
12:45 Light Lunch
13:30 Trip on Yacht around Dublin Bay
14:30 Arrive at Spectator area to watch racing
15:00 Hot Seat Race
16:15 Return to shore
16:30 BBQ and Drinks
Hot Seaters need to be prepared to get wet and be active!
Package Two
PURE SPECTATOR
€100 per person
Get a Bird’s Eye view of all the action!
12:00 Meet and Greet in Club
12:30 Race Briefing and Intro to the Event
12:45 Light Lunch
13:30 Trip on Yacht around Dublin Bay
14:30 Arrive at Spectator area to watch racing
15:00 Step on Board the Starter’s Boat and fire the Starting Gun
16:00 Return to shore
16:30 BBQ and Drinks
For more information or to book the Spectator or ‘Hot Seat’ packages, please contact Sonja in the RSGYC’s Marketing Office on 01 280 1811 Ext 7 or email
events@rsgyc.ie.