News
Congratulations to all competitors on a wonderful week of sailing! Well done! - June 26 2010
FOR FINAL RESULTS CLICK HERE
The Squibs started to arrive in the George on Thursday 17th. June to join the local Dublin Bay fleet and Howth Squibs which had already been diligently scrutineered and weighed during the previous week by Derek Jago and his support team of Jill Fleming and Sheila Power. Checking continued over Friday and Saturday and all seventy boats were inspected on the Carlisle Pier and transported to the club cranes where they were weighed before launching. Some crews were required to undertake minor alterations to their boats such as replacement of their sandcastle buckets with something more substantial, or adding lead ingots to boats which failed the weigh-in.
On Saturday the competitors were invited to compete in two Dublin Bay Sailing Club races which allowed the competitors to experience the winds, tides and waves of Dublin Bay. Derek Higgins in ‘Trio’ ( the e-bay Squib purchased for ST£350 ) was the popular winner of the second race. This was followed by a competitors briefing where David Lovegrove from Howth the former Squib sailor and OOD outlined his strategy for race management. His intention was to communicate with all the competitors by VHF, but not address individuals.
On Sunday the sun shone and the Squibs showed that they are excessively keen when starting, so the OOD resorted to the dreaded black flag. The race got away safely on the second attempt, with a one mile windward and leeward leg. It tested all systems, as was intended, and the systems worked.
In the first race Nigel Grogan in ‘Helmut Shoing II’ won the race from Dave Best in ‘Crossfire’ thanks to a radical 180 degree wind shift. The wind shift was a classic Dublin Bay occurrence caused by the sea breeze overwhelming the gradient wind. The race was stopped at the second windward mark. It was difficult for the committee who recorded sail numbers of the whole fleet who finished within about three minutes, Pete and Anne Evans in ‘Anemos’ were best George boat with a 9th. place.
That evening a reception was hosted by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council in the Town hall followed by dinner and salsa dancing in the Clubhouse.
On Monday a sea mist blowing in from the east persisted, and racing was abandoned at 13.15hrs. before the boats were rigged. In the evening the competitors were dined and entertained in Johnny Fox’s Pub. Some squibs commented that the pantaloons drying in front of the hearth really looked a bit untidy.
As a result of no race on Monday, there were two races on Tuesday. The first race was with a light westerly wind and the second race had an easterly wind growing in strength. Chris Hogan won the first race in ‘Rico’shea’. Frank Whelan was best of the George fleet in 28th. place, with Angela Heath and Mary McGloughlin in ‘Chillax’ in 29th. with Derek Jago in ‘Why Not’ in 30th. place.
The beautifully prepared ‘aLchemy’ steered by Gerard Dyson won the second race in a force 4-5 breeze. Vincent Delany and Brendan Fogarty in ‘Femme Fatale’ finished in 9th. place. This was followed by the AGM.
Wednesday was a remarkable day. In light airs, the first race to get away without a general recall, had a wind shift of 30 degrees just before the start gun which favoured the boats at the committee boat end, and they had to start on port hand in order to cross the start line. About ten boats in the mid line including Pete and Anne Evans’s ‘Anemos’ picked up the new breeze and pulled clear. On the first downwind leg the wind collapsed which allowed the mid fleet boats to pass the leaders by staying in the failing breeze. After rounding the ‘leeward mark’ the OOD signalled a mark change which was mis-interpreted by the lead boats and the race was abandoned. On the second attempt to start several boats were black flagged including ‘Femme Fatale’ which prevented them from any further racing that day. The race was abandoned several minutes after the start. The third attempt to start with a black flag had a dip in the line, and the start got away cleanly. A further major wind shift at the windward mark resulted in the race being abandoned. However the dancing on the club balcony late into the night was a hugely enjoyable success.
Due to the black flags of the previous day, several boats were required to sit out the first race on Thursday. Sam Cole in ‘Sophie’ who won the race from rooky Brian O’Hare and Peter Finnegan in ‘Nimble’. This was the best R.St.G.Y.C. result of the week.
In the second race, on a shortened course, which was lead by Philip Aspinall and Tansy Millerick in the yellow boat ‘Guy Falkes’ until 300m from the finish line. Nigel Harris in ‘Banshee’ overtook him and won the second race from ex.pat. Owen Delany in ‘Firebird’ . ‘Lola’ finished in 16th. Place and ‘Anemos’ in 17th.
The Mid Fleet AGM took place on Thursday evening.
On Friday, Mike and Penny Fenwick in ‘Ghost rider’ won the race with ‘Ruby Blue’ Aidan O’ Connell and Sian Mc. Cleave in third place. A great result for the George fleet. The Fenwicks were popular winners the Championship which they won previously four years ago.
The lift-out of the Squibs was organised with military precision, towing about 50 trailers from the Carlisle Pier, lifting Squibs out on the two club cranes, and returning the boats to the Carlisle Pier, where the crew dropped their masts.. It took only 90 minutes thanks to full support from the club boatmen under Paul Mc.Donald and all of the George Squib crews.
The final prizegiving on the balcony of the clubhouse was followed by a magnificent dinner in the club dining room. Commodore Patrick Blaney thanked the competitors for coming and thanked Ian Roberts the event manager and all of his team for all his hard work. During the Dinner Frank Harrington was presented with a hatful of money collected for the R.N.L.I. The amount of money was exactly the same number in euros, as his finishing place in the event, and his age. ( it was his birthday.) The dinner was followed by dancing on the balcony to the music of Johnny Hurricane and the Jets.
Final results: ‘Anemos’ 20th.
Ruby Blue 24th.
‘Lola’ 26th.
‘Femme Fatale’ 29th.
‘Absolutely Fabulous’ 34th.
‘Chillax’ 35th.
‘Nimble’ 40th.
‘Why Not’ 42nd.
‘Little Demon’ 46th.
‘Aquabats’ 50th.
‘Sidewinder’ 52nd.
‘Waverider’ 60th.
‘Coorse and Fine’ 61st.
‘Little Bird’ 63rd.
‘Buzz Lite’ 65th.
‘Fox’ 67th.
‘Bellerophon’ 69th.
P.S. We can have another crack at beating the English and Welsh Squibs at the championship in Plymouth next year.
Report One - Glorious Sunshine, Light Winds & Samba Dancers! - June 20 2010
On Thursday, Friday and Saturday the RSGYC were delighted to welcome all the hardy travellers to the Club in glorious sunshine. The scrutineering team got busy as new official scrutineer, Derek Jago, calibrated the 3 load cells with Salty. Scrutineering was orderly with few minor adjustments required. Mike and Penny Fenwick collected their boat from Ian Roberts (event organiser) after a lovely camping holiday in the west of Ireland. Rigging and trailer park was on the newly cleared Carlisle Pier (previously site of the railway terminal that met the cross channel ferries) courtesy of Dun Laoghaire Harbour Authority.
On Saturday afternoon many visitors joined the local DBSC racing. This was followed by an enjoyable reception in the DunLaoghaire County Council Town Hall hosted by the Cathoirleach. Whilst partaking of drinks and nibbles the Irish Sea Cup competition was announced between 4 Welsh and 4 Irish teams. This cup is presented at the biannual Dun Laoghaire Regatta. It is an honour that the Squibs can compete for it this year.
Sunday morning was fine and fair. Light NW winds,290-310o, saw a two leg windward/leeward practice race complete with a ‘black flag’ start after a general recall when most of the fleet were enthusiastically OCS initially.
RACE 1 started shortly afterwards with a general recall followed by black flag start. 52,132 + 35 were black flagged. First boats round that took the left side of the beat were hugely disadvantaged as the wind die and veered into the East. At one point 50% of the fleet were beating whilst the other half had spinnakers up. PRO, David Lovegrove, did a terrific job in difficult conditions at the weather mark.
The NSOA committee hosted a delightful Pimms party in the RSGYC library to thank the event volunteers helpers. This was followed by a Mexican buffet, Dick of the Day and Samba dancing. Toby won ‘Dick of the Day’ thanks to a glass breaking incident on the ferry when he rode a roller coaster to permit his squib to kiss his camper van. The lithe Samba dancers from Brazil, dressed in feathers, drew the lads out to dance and do limbo. Toby acquired an orange feather moustache saying You will never guess where I got this!! There was a queue to have their photos taken with the dancers. Ian was all of a tremble between them but Dot was watching! Relax, wives, your fellas kept their eyes firmly on the sailing photos!
RESULTS - RACE DAY ONE
PRACTICE RACE
1ST GOLD 47 INSATIABLE John & Lou Bibby
2ND GOLD 83 EASY Dave White & Peter Ballam
3RD GOLD 140 KINARD C Bentley & N Squirrel
RACE 1
1ST GOLD 105 HELMUT SHOING II Niegel Grogan & Daniel Cripps
2ND GOLD 797 CROSSFIRE Dave Best & Pete Richards
3RD GOLD 73 BRIMSTONE Bryan & Jenny Riley
1ST SILVER (12TH) 46 LOLA Frank Whelan & Brian Hare
1ST BRONZE (8TH) 678 FESTINA LENTE George & Dick Tallboys
DUN LAOGHAIRE PREPARES FOR MAJOR SAILING CHAMPIONSHIP - June 18 2010
More than 70 boats and 400 sailors, their families and friends from Ireland and the UK, will converge on Dun Laoghaire this weekend for the start of the biggest event in the sailing calendar in Dublin Bay this year.
The SF MARINA IRELAND SQUIBS NATIONAL SAILING CHAMPIONSHIPS will be staged at the ROYAL ST GEORGE YACHT CLUB from June 18th to the 25th.
The event will provide a welcome boost to the local economy, with hotels, restaurants and pubs benefiting from the event. With sunny weather forecast this promises to be a great week both on and off the water.
The championships, which are held in Ireland every five years, will see some of the top competitors in this class including former Irish Helmsman Champion of Champions Owen Delany.
There is also keen interest from a wide range of clubs including the Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club and Kinsale Yacht Club at the other end of the Island. There are particularly strong squib fleets in Dun Laoghaire and Howth.
Squibs are two-man keelboats measuring seven metres long. They are favoured both as an exciting racing boat, because of their strength and safe design, and as a teaching boat. The Squib Class fleet is one of the largest one-design fleets in Britain and Ireland, with over 810 boats.
The Royal St George Yacht Club says it is delighted to have been selected by the Squib Class to host the 2010 Championship which is a great opportunity to show what Dublin Bay can offer, including its beauty, the varied sailing waters, and the vagaries of the tides.
“We believe Dun Laoghaire, both on and off the water, is a wonderful venue to make Squibs 2010 a memorable event.”
The sponsors of this year’s championship are marine services company, SF MARINA IRELAND, which last month installed new, all concrete, breakwater pontoons at the Royal Saint George Yacht Club, a great addition to the clubs facilities.
SF MARINA IRELAND builds marinas and installs floating pontoons and breakwaters all over the island of Ireland as well as the UK. The directors are Rod and Julie Calder-Potts who trade under the name, Milford Marina Systems, based in Cuffesgrange, Co Kilkenny.
Recently, the company designed and fitted concrete pontoons weighing 1,000 tonnes on the River Liffey to service the Waterbuses Spirit of Docklands and Liffey Voyage. The project consisted of a mega yacht visitors berthing facility on the Custom House Quay and three waterbus landing stages - one at The Point, one south-east of The Ha’Penny Bridge and one at the mouth of George’s Dock on Custom House Quay.
SF MARINA IRELAND is the sole Irish agent for Swedish company SF MARINA specializing in the supply and installation of floating concrete breakwaters that can stand up to the rigorous maritime conditions.
Rod Calder Potts said the company is very proud to be associated with the historic Royal Saint George Yacht Club and with the Squibs National Championships.
He said the installation of the new pontoons last month was the company’s third major installation in Dun Laoghaire Harbour and the eighth in the Dublin Bay area. “We enjoy the challenge of dealing with the difficult Irish tides, winds and waves. It is a pleasure and a privilege dealing with the wonderful sailing clubs around Dublin Bay.” he said.
SF MARINA IRELAND TO SPONSOR SQUIBS NATIONAL SAILING CHAMPIONSHIP AT THE ROYAL ST GEORGE - May 28 2010
Marine services company SF MARINA IRELAND is to sponsor the SQUIBS NATIONAL SAILING CHAMPIONSHIPS which will be staged at the ROYAL ST GEORGE YACHT CLUB over a week from June 18th.
The championships - the biggest event in the sailing calendar in Dublin Bay this year - will attract over 100 boats and 600 sailors from Ireland and the UK.
The SF Marina Ireland Squib National Championships will attract some of the top competitors in this class in Ireland and the UK including Roger Harris (Firefly), Chris Hogan (a regular Squib Champion), and Dick Batt (sailmaker and chief measurer for the Beijing and London Olympics)
A National Championship has been held for the Squib Class every year since 1972. Every fifth year it is held in Ireland, where the Class is expanding and is this year attracting interest from a wide range of clubs from the Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club to Kinsale Yacht Club at the other end of the Island. There are particularly strong fleets in Dun Laoghaire and Howth.
Last month SF MARINA IRELAND, who build floating concrete pontoons and breakwaters for marinas, installed new, all concrete, breakwater pontoons as an amenity for the Royal Saint George Yacht Club.
SF MARINA IRELAND has built marinas and installed floating pontoons and breakwaters all over the island of Ireland as well as the UK. The directors are Rod and Julie Calder-Potts who trade under the name, Milford Marina Systems, based in Cuffesgrange, Co Kilkenny.
Recently, the company designed and fitted concrete pontoons weighing 1,000 tonnes on the River Liffey to service the Waterbuses Spirit of Docklands and Liffey Voyage . The project consisted of a megayacht visitors berthing facility on the Custom House Quay and three waterbus landing stages - one at The Point, one south-east of The Ha’Penny bridge and one at the mouth of George’s Dock on Custom House Quay.
SF MARINA IRELAND is the sole Irish agent for Swedish company SF MARINA specializing in the supply and installation of floating concrete breakwaters that can stand up to the rigorous maritime conditions.
Rod Calder Potts of SF MARINA IRELAND said: “We are very proud to be associated with the historic Royal Saint George Yacht Club and with the Squibs National Championships.”
He said the installation of the new pontoons last month was the company’s third major installation in Dun laoghaire Harbour and the eighth in the Dublin Bay area. “We enjoy the challenge of dealing with the difficult Irish tides, winds and waves. It is a pleasure and a privilege dealing with the wonderful sailing clubs around Dublin Bay.” he said.
SF Marina Ireland Pontoons being guided by Cailin Bán, crewed by David Williams and Sonja Lee, into the harbour of the Royal St George Yacht Club.
Photo Gareth Criag/Fotosail.com
To view more photos of the Royal St George’s new pontoons provided by SF Marina Ireland, please click here.
Web: http://www.milfordmarinas.com
www.sfmarinairl.com
Email: (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Tel: 00353 56 7729918
00353 56 7729987
Online Entry - Discount Extended! - May 21 2010
The Discounted Entry Fee has been extended until Friday, 4th June. Thereafter it will be €280.
Please book online today, click here.
Squibs Social Programme - Online discounts available until the 11th June - May 19 2010
The Social Programme’s Online Discounts are available until Friday, 11th June! Book today!
Click here to book now: https://www.rsgyc.ie/apply/index.php/squibs/social_form
Squibs Social Programme 2010 - now available online! - March 24 2010
THE SQUIBS SOCIAL PROGRAMME 2010 IS NOW OPEN FOR BOOKING AND PAYMENT, WITH DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE IF YOU PAY BEFORE THE 18TH MAY!
As you will see from this prgramme, there will be a host of activities on to keep you entertained ‘apres sailing’ during the Squibs National Championships 2010! From a traditional Irish ‘Hooley’ Night, to a Big Band Night, with Hurricane Johnny and the Jets, and, lest we forget, a terrific Salsa Night with genuine Salsa Dancers and, of course, much much more.
The Organising Committee has worked hard to keep all prices affordable and to give you bang for your buck! The prices are even lower if you book online prior to the event in June. So, get booking today.
Click here to book now: https://www.rsgyc.ie/apply/index.php/squibs/social_form
Deferred Payment Entry - March 12 2010
If you wish to defer entry payment in anticipation of the drop in the value of the Euro, please download the Deferred Payment available here.
Note: Is is essential that payment is received before the 16th April to avoid late entry fee.
50 % Discount with Norfolk Lines Extended - February 16 2010
This 50% discount has been extended until the 31st March 2010.
Click here for more information.
Stena Event Fares - February 12 2010
Stena have provided the Squibs National Championships 2010 with their event fares for the Irish Sea Crossing.
The details of the fares and the method of booking are available by clicking here.
Parking - February 01 2010
Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company have agreed to permit Camper Vans to stay overnight on the Carlisle Pier, which is just beside the Club and where the boats will rig. Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company will charge €10 per night. Electric power and water will be available on site.
Car parking is €8 per day. Special Permits will be on sale in the Race Office (normal charge is €2 per hour).
Squibs 2010 Update - December 23 2009
Website:
On this website, you will find Entry Forms for on-line or paper entry, the NOR, information on accommodation, travel etc. The on-line entry form allows you to do all the prize entries as well. The system will automatically confirm receipt by e-mail. If you don’t get a response call Carol Healion at the Club +353 (0) 1 280 1811.
Squibs 2010 Entrance Fee:
There has been some discussion with NSOA on the entry fee. It is the same in Euro as it was in 2005 but is impacted by the weakness of Sterling. To give you the event that you would expect we are reluctant to reduce the fee. Also the money experts tell us that Sterling will strengthen in the New Year. So we are amenable to allowing payment to be deferred to not later than 16 April (and to move the late entry fee to apply from then). However, we do ask you to do your entry as soon as possible so that we can gauge the numbers, order prizes etc.
Notice of Race Amendments:
There are some amendments to the NOR as requested by NSOA. We would bring your attention to the additional Clauses 9.2 and 9.3 on measurements. Click here to view.
We and NSOA are anxious to make the whole matter of measurement compliance un-ambiguous and as simple as possible to operate on the day, so do please ensure that you have everything up-to-date well before the event. This particularly applies to having the proper amount of correctors, in the right place.
Travel and Accommodation:
We are conscious of the need to finalise the ferry deals but are inhibited by the changes being made to the Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire Stena Link. There are alternative routes if you are anxious to book. The details are on this website, click here. There is also more accommodation information, click here.
Advance Bookings:
In January, this site will allow you to book in advance for meals and social events so please check this out.
We look forward to welcoming you in Dun Laoghaire in June next.
Regards
Ian Roberts
Event Manager
Useful Information for Competitors - October 27 2009
Accomodation: Royal Marine Hotel
The Royal Marine Hotel has kindly a agreed a ‘Room Only’ rate of €95 per night for competitors. For more information please click here.
Travel: A full list of travel methods from the UK are available by clicking here.
Social Events: Plans are now being put a fantastic social programme in place for you which will include:
- Irish Ceili Night - Get practicing your Riverdance routine!!
- Home Night
- Civic Reception in the Town Hall
- Golf outings
- Mid Fleet AGM in the Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club
- Prizegiving dinner dance
If enough people are interested….....
- Visits to the Dublin Guinness Storehouse for pints, lots of history and great views of the city
- Visits to the highest pub in Ireland, Johnny Foxes in the Dublin Mountains - famous for its food, drink & craic!
- Organised trips to Powerscourt Gardens if numbers permit
- Organised trips into Dublin City Centre if numbers permit
Keep watching the website for updates!
Car Parking : For those of you who stay in the Royal Marine Hotel free parking is provided. Parking on the Harbour Waterfront is metered by the Harbour Authority and strictly enforced. Reduced parking rate daily permits will be available from the Race Office. There is also 24hr pay parking in the Pavillion Centre opposite the Club and free parking on the promenade approx 300m south of the club.
Trailers: All trailers will be parked on the Carlisle Pier, adjacent to the Club. Walking access to the club from the pier via bridge.
Campers: We hope to have permission for a limited number of camper vans on the Carlisle Pier. There may be a charge for this, payable to the Harbour Authority. This will be confirmed nearer to the event.
Longer Stay Visitors: Free parking and storage (at owners risk) of boats, trailers and campers will be available at Ian Roberts house on Rochestown Avenue approx 2km from the club. Competitors will be welcome to use this space if arriving early but will need to contact the Event Secretary with arrival details nearer the time.
Event Clothing: A range of Event souvenir clothing will be available to purchase at the event.
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