REPORT: IDRA14 National Championships 2024
Lough Erne Yacht Club, Enniskillen
15th to 17th August
After a night of constant rain the intrepid sailors of the IDRA14 class assembled at 12.30pm for the briefing. 11 boats had travelled to Lough Erne Yacht Club just north of Enniskillen to compete in the 2024 edition of the IDRA 14 National Championships. Race officer Ian Sargent was in charge of a 6 race program over 3 days, with additional practice and crews races . With SIs being distributed digitally weeks in advance, the race-officer needed only to reiterate a few salient points and deal with amendments. Ian called on LEYC Commodore, Raymond Morrison, to impart his wisdom regarding the conditions for safe sailing on the lake. Having explained the vagaries of lower Lough Erne, Raymond went on to command everyone present to make sure to enjoy themselves, both on and off the water! Class commodore Donal Heney announced the membership of the gold and silver fleets and it was time to get ready for racing.
The race area lies north of the clubhouse and was easily reached in a stiff westerly wind, blowing 15kn, and gusting 30kn! The water was somewhat choppy and streaked white by the strong wind. There to greet us were small flocks of swifts, skimming the water, chasing insects. They were constant companions on the water.
Day 1 - Thursday weather had started as forecast, wet and overcast, but cleared and brightened around 1pm just in time for FG at 2.00pm.
Race 1: triangular Course. 134 was first to the windward mark, followed by 38. No spinnakers were flown In what was a white knuckle ride for most boats. There were two capsizes, 126 retired.
Race 2: windward/leeward course. RO Ian Sargent decided to move the race area to leeward of some of the many islands. The decision paid off and made a second race possible. Four boats did not start for various reasons, for 141, a torn mainsail being obvious. Swift, 114, a youth-group boat from CY&BC, impressed with a fourth place finish, improving on their sixth in race 1.
Day 2 began with overcast skies but thankfully no rain and early light winds. However, by FG of 11.55 the wind had increased to 12kn gusting 24kn, southwesterly. The RO returned to the site for race 2, which meant a shorter journey for competitors and more favourable conditions for racing.
Race 3: windward/leeward course. With 2 DNS's only 9 boats took to the water for race 3. 141 was back on the water with a borrowed main from 126. Father and son team, Pierre and Paul Long 161 of DMYC, had an early lead, but were eventually reined in by 134. Swift, despite capsizing, managed to finish in eighth place.
Race 4: windward/leeward course. After a minor delay for course adjustment, race 4 got underway in the ongoing fresh conditions. Again, 161 took an early lead off the line and rounded the windward mark in first place. This situation continued on the spinnaker run and second beat to the windward mark, by which time the trio of 161, 38 and 134 were neck and neck. The final leg of the race saw 134 pulling ahead to win, with 161 in second, 38 in third.
The prospect of lighter conditions on the final day of the event, led the RO to defer the scheduled crew's race. A good day's racing had been enjoyed.
Day 3 opened somewhat brighter with light wind. The revelry of the previous three nights, including a boatshed rave, was visibly taking its toll, explaining the slower start to the final day's racing for some competitors. Racing commenced anyway, as scheduled, with lighter conditions to previous days.
Race 5: windward/ leeward course. The fleet bunched up in the lighter, more competitive conditions. Notable was 140 Dunmoanin, who took the right hand side of the course to reach the windward mark with a good lead. Ultimately the leader board remained the same with 134 getting their fifth first place, followed by 161 and 38.
Race 6: windward/ leeward course. Somewhat a replay of the previous race with 36 applying the tactics of 140 to gain a considerable lead which they managed to hold on to the line. 161 were in second followed by 134 in third.
Race 7: windward/ leeward course. The rescheduled Crew's race became the finale. The wind picked up to make this quite a thrilling race with eight boats. 134 with Callum Maher faced great competition from Dan Kinlay in 163, Orlaith Connolly in 38, Paul Long in 161, and his mother, Wendy in 1! It seemed all might be lost for Callum when he missed the leeward mark and slipped back four places. Undaunted, Callum sailed on to win, ahead of 163 and 161.
Congratulations to Simon Revill helm, with Callum Maher crew, on being awarded National Champion 2024, holding on to the title for another year. Winner of the Silver Fleet was Swift 114, with Joey McGauran helm and Tom Farrelly crew.
See the full Results here.