The Royal St George Yacht Club, Dun Laoghaire

The RSGYC will be hosting the Squib Class' UK National Championship for the first time in Dublin Bay in 2010.

So, on the first weekend of October, as it was the last major Championship before the Royal St. George Yacht Club hosted event, three Dun Laoghaire boats travelled to Rutland Water in the East Midlands.

By Irish standards the resevoir is relatively small for running a major championship, and as a result the entry is limited. Only 44 boats were allowed to compete.

On Saturday the fleet went afloat in a steady 30 knots of wind and flat water, and the OOD decided that conditions were too extreme for safe running of the racing in such congested waters. ( There was a windsurfer regatta with about 30 boards sharing the same race area. )

On Sunday three races were held in very shifty winds of force 2. Due to the reduced racing programme of only three races, there were no discards.

The winner was Alan Johnson and David Garlick in 'Cariad Bach' from South Caernarvon Sailing Club ( Sail No.132)
Frank Whelan and Brian Hare from the Royal St. George Yacht Club in 'Lola' took 7th place, one place ahead of the current National Champions Chris and Mark Hogan ( No. 136), and the first boat ever built 'Squib' ( no.11) with Gerard Dyson and Tony Saltonstall from the Royal Yorkshire Yacht Club sailing her first regatta in many years. She was first launched in 1968.

'Femme Fatale' ( No. 24) from the Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club sailed by Vincent Delany and Joe O'Byrne finished in 11th place.

The Irish boats had good speed, but tactically could not achieve the consistancy of the leading boats in this high scoring event. The result sheets show that the low numbered boats are performing very well.

Things are looking up for good Irish placings in the UK National Championship in 2010.

For further information on the Squib Class' UK National Championship in 2010 please vist the Squibs 2010 section on this website, or click here.