Team George - in for the Win…and the RIB!
26 September
On Saturday, the 24th of September, 3 RIB teams from the RSGYC set of to compete in the Yachtsman Euro-marine RIB challenge, a competition run by the ISA and chaired by Organiser, Denis Dillon, with the amazing prize of a jet black Humber RIB.
The morning was bright as Teams 1, 2 and 3 set of for the Dun Laoghaire Powerboat school in which the Regionals were being held. The mood was positive as we motored slowly over to the west pier, with Queen’s “We are the champions” blaring through our megaphone! The challenge consisted of 9 teams with 10 challenges ranging from boat handling skills such as coming alongside and turnabouts to costal theory and personal safety. The object of the challenge was to get all 10 tasks completed in 3 hours. Team one began with boat handling and earned a well deserved 12 points (full marks) coming from Skipper RIchard Gilmer’s which gave them a good head start. As the day progressed, the score sheet became full and it was looking good for the 3 teams with only 4 challenges apiece to go. Skipper Brendan (Brenda) Bolger and his team of Dan O’Beirne and Daniel Gilmer excelled in the coming alongside and gaining another 12 points, adding more points to their outstanding scores.
The day continued with Skipper Richard Gilmer and his crew of Sarah Hyland and Dan Phillips adding to the Clubs points by achieving 11 out of 12 in the costal knowledge and also in personal safety. The points were flying onto the charts for Skipper Cian Guilfoyle and crew Sam Hyland and Herbie Fowler-Hudson getting a 12 on rope throwing.
The 3 teams finished well within the 3 hour time limit and enjoyed 99’s on the pier while the awaited the final sums to be done! 4 places were given to the regionals so allowing only four teams out of 10 to get through to the Finals in the NYC in October. Cheers erupted as Team one came first, earning 115 points out of 120 and earning a place in the Finals Team 3 then succeeded to secure a place coming 4th, also securing them a well deserved place in the Finals. Unfortunately, team 2 were not so lucky, coming half a point behind the NYC1 team. They gave it their all but luck was not on their side. However, a wild card will be drawn and with any luck, team 2 will be granted a chance!! The teams exited the jetty with “We are the champions” blaring, ready for the next phase to begin.
So now to begin training for the finals, with our two teams and hopefully they will be victorious and bring a new RIB home to the George.
So guys, its up to you! now lets go and win a RIB!!
Team 1) Richard Gilmer, Dan Phillips and Sarah Hyland
Team 2) Brendan Bolger, Dan Gilmer and Dan O’Beirne
Team 3) Cian Guilfoyle, Herbie Fowler-Hudson and Sam Hyland
Instructors: Declan Traynor & Andrew Hickey
Organisers for the Challenge : Vivienne Gilmer & Alan Gilmer
RIBs supplied by Ronan Adams and the RSGYC Boathouse team
