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ISA YACHTSMAN EUROMARINE RIB CHALLENGE FINAL 2009
EVENT REPORT: Yachtsman euromarine RIB Challenge 2009
Immediate Release: 10th November 2009
Foynes Yacht Club triumps at Yachtsman euromarine RIB Challenge 2009
After a very close Grand Final, Foynes Yacht Club was the ultimate winners of the ISA Yachtsman euromarine RIB Challenge 2009. The Grand Final was generously hosted by the defending champions, Wexford Harbour Boat & Tennis Club, on Saturday 7th November 2009.
Harry Hermon, ISA Chief Executive explained: “It was a hard fought contest, and I am delighted to present Foynes Yacht Club with the ISA Yachtsman euromarine RIB for 2009.”
The final task saw the defending champions, Wexford Harbour ‘A’ team and Foynes Yacht Club virtually neck in neck. However it was Foynes Yacht Club who took ultimately took home the Yachtsman euromarine RIB when countback showed that they had won three of their tasks within the competition as opposed to Wexford ‘A’s one.
Hermon continued “It is unfortunate that we were unable to present a second RIB to Wexford A, last year’s winner of the Yachtsman euromarine RIB”.
Matt McGrory, Yachtsman euromarine Insurance Managing Director explained: “Yachtsman euromarine are delighted to support this event and to offer the prize of the RIB. This competition is about promoting safe and responsible participation, as well as having some fun on the water.”
Yachtsman euromarine donated the RIB, valued at €22,500, as the grand prize for the 2009 ISA Yachtsman euromarine RIB Challenge. This competition is designed to improve the knowledge and skills of powerboat crews, whilst providing a chance to represent their club or training centre in a competitive environment.
This is the second year that Yachtsman euromarine have donated a RIB to the ISA for the ISA Yachtsman euromarine RIB Challenge.
ISA Motorboat Development Officer Denis Dillon stressed: "The ISA is extremely grateful to Yachtsman euromarine for their support and sponsorship of this event, particularly in the current financial climate. Without their support we could not have the ISA Yachtsman euromarine RIB Challenge."
The Grand Final was hosted by Wexford Harbour Boat & Tennis Club, the defending champions, on Saturday 7th November 2009. Ten teams from throughout Ireland qualified for the Grand Final but on the day just eight competed.
Achill Powerboat Club (Mayo)
Bow Waves Training Centre (Galway)
Buccaneer Powerboat Club (Dublin) – did not compete on the day
Courtown Sailing Club A (Wexford)
Courtown Sailing Club B (Wexford)
Foynes Yacht Club (Limerick)
Lough Derg Jet Ski Club (Tipperary)
Wexford Harbour Boat & Tennis Club A (Wexford)
Wexford Harbour Boat & Tennis Club B (Wexford)
Wicklow Sailing Club (Wicklow) – did not compete on the day
Throughout the day’s competition a number of teams took the top spot, providing a very exciting and competitive Grand Final. Five teams were within fifteen points of each other at the top of the leaderboard, before the start of the final ‘towing’ event, highlighting just how tight the competition really was.
The RIB Challenge consisted of a mixture of on the water and on shore tasks, aimed at both the team and the individual team members. For the Grand Final there were two on the water tasks: a RIB handling challenge and a towing challenge using a tillar engined craft.
The four off the water challenges included a line throwing competition, a life ring throwing competition, trailor reversing and concluded with a nautical knowledge theory test.
To win the competition teams had to display a consistent knowledge across all the requirements for boat and demonstrate a wide skill base.
Lough Derg Jetski Club flew through their practical on the water assessments but the inland waterways club will look to hone their sea skills before the 2010 event takes place.
Speaking after the competition, Martin Tierney, Lough Derg Jet ski Club commented: We especially (as a non sailing club) had to learn a lot of new skills for this competition including knots and navigation etc , which was all very interesting and we have already used these skills on the water since!”
Tierney continued with a smile: “The super super prize of a RIB sponsored by Yachtsman euromarine was the main reason we entered but we really enjoyed the competition full of fun and sport! We have already started looking for a shed to store next year’s RIB when we bring it back to Tipperary”.
Foynes Yacht Club are worthy winners as they won three of their tasks outright and it must be admitted that their nautical knowledge was exemplary.
Tom Murray, Commodore of Foynes Yacht Club commented: “FYC is delighted to come out winners of this prestigious event. The club has in recent years invested a lot of time and resources in powerboat training. It is surely a great source of pride for Club Senior Instructor Peadar McGrath and his hard working Training and Development Team that in the same year ISA accreditation as a training centre was obtained, the club could send a team to a national competition and come away with the prize.
Murray continued: “The fantastic trophy of a brand new rib prize could not have come at a better time as the club prepares to host the 2010 Dublin Bay Mermaids Nationals next year. Like all sailing clubs, we need qualified, competent and committed powerboat drivers to assist in management of our club events. This success will surely encourage more members to seek certification and to become involved in powerboat activities.”
Galway’s Bow Waves were consistently good across all the tasks and narrowly missed out the top spot.
Last year’s winners, Wexford Harbour showed their experience and skill under the tutelage of their Training Manager Michael Doyle but just narrowly missed out on the top spot.
Achill Powerboat Club were consistent all day but really came into their own when their experience and skills were challenged as the weather went against them for the on the water towing test
Courtown Sailing Club fielded a young enthusiastic team who showcased their experience gained from last year competition and are definitely a team to watch for the future.
The Yachtsman euromarine RIB Challenge is designed to encourage responsible and proper use of both the craft and all it’s equipment. It puts the spotlight on the promotion of practical, responsible use in a fun and competitive environment. Teams are already planning for the 2010 event.
Note for Editors
Yachtsman euromarine
A family run business that has been involved in boating since the early 1970s, Yachtsman euromarine specialise in providing yacht and motorboat insurance. Yachtsman Euromarine, in association with the ISA, have launched a marine insurance scheme exclusive to ISA Members, Clubs and Training Centres.
http://www.yachtsman.ie
ISA
The ISA is the national governing body for recreational and competitive activities, involving sail and engine powered craft in Ireland.
http://www.sailing.ie
http://www.sailng.ie/motorboat
For more information contact:
Bernadette Fox
ISA Membership & Marketing Manager
Email: Bernadette@sailing.ie
Phone: +353 (0)1 271 0110 (Direct Line)
Mobile: +353 (0)87 956 9012
http://www.sailing.ie
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Yachtsman euromarine have once again donated a RIB as the grand prize for the 2009 ISA Yachtsman euromarine RIB Challenge. This competition is designed to improve the knowledge and skills of powerboat crews whilst providing a chance to represent their club or training centre in a competitive environment.
National Final for the ISA Yachtsman euromarine Rib Challenge 2009 will be hosted by the Wexford Harbour Boat & Tennis club on Saturday 7th November 2009, Starting at 10.00 Hrs it will continue throughout the day.
10 Teams have qualified through to the final from throughout Ireland. These are;
Achill Powerboat Club (Mayo)
Bow Waves Training Centre (Galway)
Buccaneer Powerboat Club (Dublin)
Courtown Sailing Club A (Wexford)
Courtown Sailing Club B (Wexford)
Foynes Yacht Club (Limerick)
Lough Derg Jet Ski Club (Tipperary)
Wexford Harbour Boat & Tennis Club A (Wexford)Wexford Harbour Boat & Tennis Club B (Wexford)
Wicklow Sailing Club (Wicklow)
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ISA YACHTSMAN EUROMARINE RIB CHALLENGE FINAL 2009
Yachtsman euromarine have once again donated a RIB as the grand prize for the 2009 ISA Yachtsman euromarine RIB Challenge. This competition is designed to improve the knowledge and skills of powerboat crews whilst providing a chance to represent their club or training centre in a competitive environment.
National Final for the ISA Yachtsman euromarine Rib Challenge 2009 will be hosted by the Wexford Harbour Boat & Tennis club on Saturday 7th November 2009.
Yachtsman Euromarine are
Yachtsman euromarine also offer ISA members discounted marine insurance. Click here
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ISA YACHTSMAN EUROMARINE RIB CHALLENGE
Early on an overcast Sunday morning at Foynes Yacht Club in County Limerick, Teams from as far away as Achill Island started to arrive for the Regional Final in the ISA Yachtsman euromarine Rib Challenge 2009.
With the help given by the host club all the competition areas were set up and ready for the regional final to start. Before the start Denis Dillon, ISA Motorboat Development Officer gave the teams a briefing as to what each competition consisted of.
Some of the teams were already looking worried at what lay ahead. This worry was unfounded and as each task was completed it was obvious that the teams had prepared for the event. After Task 1, Bow Waves from Galway and Lough Derg Jet Ski Club took a joint lead. At the end of Task 2 Bow waves took the slimmest of leads with a one point lead. Achill Powerboat and Foynes YC on their home turf although only slightly off the lead put on the pressure in Task 3 with both teams leaving Lough Derg in their wake and narrowing the lead to the Tribesmen.
And then it came down to Task 4 the final task which consisted of individual challenges for each team member having to perform. In this task Lough Derg got back into the stride of things with Foynes and Achill just behind.
Once the last Individual challenge which was their knowledge of Knots was completed, everyone gathered to get the final result and see who would take home the ISA Yachtsman euromarine Crystal clocks. Once the scores were added up there was little dividing the top teams and no more so that Bow Waves and Lough Derg Jet Ski club who were tied at the top.
With the Captains of Both teams stepping forward (on maybe pushed) it was decided to sort out the impasse by seeing how accurate they could be with a life ring. After each had a practice go. Finbar O Ragan from Bow Waves in Galway gave a fine demonstration of Life Ring Throwing with his attempt landing within 18 inches of the target. Martin Tierney Lough Derg’s Captain stepped up to the mark. As he threw, the crowd and Martin thought he had literary Thrown it away but as the ring landed it rolled and fell between Finbar’s mark and the target.
Win and the ISA Yachtsman euromarine Clocks go to Lough Derg Jet Ski club with a consistent display of teamwork all day.
All teams went home with a smile on their faces but with thoughts of what they needed to do to have a chance of winning the ISA Yachtsman euromarine Rib for 2009.
Many thanks to Foynes YC and all the volunteer judges who made the day so enjoyable.
National Final for the ISA Yachtsman euromarine Rib Challenge 2009 will be hosted by the Wexford Harbour Boat & Tennis club on Saturday 7th November 2009.