Higgins Racing are Irish Match Racing National Champions
The Royal St. Georges trio of brothers Tom Higgins (helm), Jack Higgins (trim) and Henry Higgins (Bow) win the Match Racing National Championship that was hosted this weekend in the National Yacht Club. Eight teams competed over two days in the National Yacht Club's Elliott 6m sportsboat fleet.
Waterford Harbour and World Match Racing Tour match racer Ruairi Finnegan along with Max Goodbody and Cian Lynch took second overall after a two-nil final match victory by Higgins.
Kinsale's Sam Hunt, Paddy Blackley and Peter Bayly placed third overall after meeting a fellow Kinsale Yacht Club Sailor Mícheál Ó'Súilleabháin in the a thrilling first to two points petite final which saw it come down to the wire in the third race.
Higgins' First international match racing event was the Governor's Cup in Los Angeles last summer. Since then, the UCD Ad Astra student has served as a mainsail trimmer on the World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) and recently finished sixth at the Youth Worlds and fifth at the Harken International in Sydney in December.
The World Sailing Grade 3 Match Racing event was supported by some of Ireland's top umpires Bill O'hara, Cxema Pico and Michael O’Connor. An umpire debrief with all teams occurred after sailing on the Saturday in order to go through some of the decisive calls over the course of the day. This was an opportunity for competitors to query decisions which will help raise the knowledge and skill level across the fleet. A take away from this was for skippers to not create 50/50 situations which leaves it in the umpire's hands!
The Irish Match Racing Association have been working hard behind the scenes to achieve a number of their goals, one of which was to organise a national championship. Another is to empower clubs to host match racing events as well as to create and foster a community of match racers across the country. After an intense day of racing on Saturday which saw three teams tied on win percentages after the round robin, the Irish Match Racing Association discussed with competitors and umpires alike what its goals are for the future. The Association hopes to host four qualifying events per year which will serve as qualification for nationals. Match Racing is extremely accessible for many clubs, IMRA aims to help clubs to engage in match racing training and leading to hosting graded match racing events, all that is needed is two equalised boats. IMRA is in the process of creating an ‘Host club Event Pack’ which will include information on all that is needed to host a match racing event in Ireland.
Final Standings:
- Tom Higgins - Higgins Racing
- Ruairi Finnegan - Craic’n Racing
- Sam Hunt - Gladiators KYC
- Mícheál Ó'Súilleabháin - Shirley Temple Racing
- Jamie McMahon - Aquaholics Racing
- Dan Little - No Clew Racing
- Oisin Cullen - Red Flag Racing
- Diana Kissane - WMR
Irish Match Racing Nationals: A Pivotal Event on the Sailing Calendar
The Irish Match Racing National Championships, is set to be hosted by the National Yacht Club (NYC) in Dun Laoghaire on the 11th and 12th of May, 2024. A return to Match Racing in Ireland after almost a decades hiatus from a National Championship. This Match Racing Nationals promises thrilling competition with skilled helms from various clubs, including Tom Higgins of RSGYC, Sam Hunt from KYC, Dan Little, Diana Kissane from Howth YC, Oisin Cullen from Red Flag Racing, Ruairi Finnegan of Craic'n Racing, and Student Match Racing Nationals winner Jamie McMahon.
Oisin Cullen, IMRA Chairperson, shared his excitement:
"This championship is not just a race; it's a significant step towards growing match racing in Ireland. Every year, we see incredible talent, and I'm thrilled to be part of this growing community."
For this event each team, limited to four members with a combined weight of 270 kg, will battle in Elliott 6m boats, ensuring a level playing field and intense match-racing action. The NYC offers an ideal venue with spectators able to get all in on the action from Dun Laoghaire's east pier.
The championship will also serve as a selection event for the 2024 EUROSAF Match Racing Open European Championships in Marina di Ravenna, Italy, in June.
Spectators can also follow the action live via a stream on YouTube and receive updates on Instagram [@irishmatchracing]. The events Sailing Instructions are available on the Irish Match Racing Association website along with details of more match racing events scheduled later in the year.
The Irish Match Racing Nationals not only highlights the skill and strategy of Ireland's top match racers but also aims to provide a new introduction to those unfamiliar with the discipline and push the sport's development within Ireland. With high stakes and fierce competition, this event is a must-watch for sailing enthusiasts.