Ollie Groves and Esther Parkhurst were crowned Eurocup and UK National Champions with Robert Espey and Michael Ferguson winning the Irish National Championship title.
With racing cancelled after a tense day ashore, due to strong winds, results remained as at the end of day 4.
In Ollie’s speech he thanked everyone at RNIYC for an incredible week. He said the hospitality shown to them was second to none, and this sentiment was echoed by the entire fleet. Running an event like this takes a massive amount of organisation, so huge thanks go to Event Director Gerry Reid and his team, Sally Campbell from the RS Class Association, Frank and his team on Safety and mark laying, Sarah & Kevin running the slipway, Brick recording the race results, Leigh and her team in the office, the bar and catering teams and all of the other club volunteers and staff. Without the volunteers, we couldn’t have had the brilliant racing, shoreside efficiency and warm hospitality that everyone enjoyed this week.
Race Officer Sheela Lewis and her team did a brilliant job in extremely testing big conditions, very much appreciated by the sailors.
Both Ollie Groves and Gerry Reid thanked the generous sponsors, Mercedes Benz Belfast, Noble Marine, Ridgeway, Rooster and official chandlery partner of the event, the RS Sailing Store.
Moving a few to tears, Ollie’s final, emotional thanks were to Esther, who he said “he was immensely proud of” and “will soon be my wife!”
A superb event from start to finish, thank you Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club!
Overall report on Yachts and Yachting
Daily reports and photos, thanks to Thomas Anderson, www.sdsphoto.pro
