What is going on up here at the moment? - despite damn all wind for most of the second part of the RNIYC Autumn Series, the fleet seems to be growing at an unhealthy/alarming rate, with 2-3 new boats appearing each month, and more promised in the New Year, concerns are growing as to where we are going to put them all!
Already Ballyholme has too many Lasers buzzing around every sunday, but now they are going to have a squadron on over 15 RS400s to deal with! Maybe this is in fact condensing the situation, with two people in each tub, as opposed to one per boat in the Lasers, but still, it is going to be mighty congested out there.
Latest recruits are Ryan Seaton and Matty McGovern, Irish Olympic 49er Team from the London 2012 games, who see the 400 as the perfect boat to keep their tactical brains sharp whilst taking a break from their campaigns. Ryan is completing his Sports Science Degree Studies, while Matty is reminding himself how much less glamorous a normal job is than 49er campaigning all over the world!
There is now a strong fleet of top sailors at Ballyholme developing, which should really up the ante for the coming season.
Liam Donnelly took the top prize for the Autumn Series at RNIYC, sweeping aside all those that were to later appear, once they had realised the fun they were missing, by having enough results in the bank by virtue of his impeccable turnout record, which even an extra 6 discards would have left him clear at the top.
Dr SP turned up late to the party, with three bullets on one of the only windy days in December, before Paul McLaughlin finally woke up and took over Liam's helm, and took the last win of the series.
Best of all is the craic (in adversity) of the bottom 95% of the fleet, where the nip and tuck only available in an asymmetric boat has really fired up the enthusiasm.
Following yet another drifter at the Boxing Day Regatta at Ballyholme, a month to hit the gym/ do nothing, then it's gloves off (and a warmer pair on) for the last Sunday on January, when battle will recommence in the azure grey waters of Ballyholme Bay.
I for one, can't wait for it!! Roll on 2013!!!!
Dave Cheyne
