O’Farrell on Winning Team

Conor O'Farrell at Rutland Water

Eight sailors including CLYC’s Conor O’Farrell were selected by the RYA NI in March to represent the province at the Eric Twiname Final against the top teams from Scotland, Wales and 6 English Zones. Over 300 competitors took part across 6 classes, of which the Topper class had the largest fleet with 70 competitors.

The event took place last weekend (7th and 8th May) at Rutland Water Sailing Club with 6 races in a good range of conditions, which stretched the competitors and tested them in all aspects of sailing. The event was also celebrating its 25th anniversary, which added to the occasion.

After 4 races on day 1 the RYA NI team were in a good position with 4 members in the top 10, but overall were lying second to England’s East Squad. The racing had been in light, shifty conditions which required concentration and consistency. The results, however remained tight, leaving it open to competitors to push up the fleet in the second day.

Day 2 saw stronger breezes from a more consistent direction, with winds getting up to 20 knots in the afternoon. Tim Brow, BYC, had 2 great performances, not only finishing 1st in both races, but leading the fleet by over half a leg at the finish. These results secured his first place overall after a consistent first day. Andrew Penney, EABC, finished in 7th place with 4 races in the top 7, followed closely by Conor O’Farrell, CLYC, and Liam Glynn, BYC, in 9th and 12th places respectively.

This is the 3rd year in a row that an RYA NI sailor has won the Topper class fleet, but it is the first that the province has won the prize for best region overall. Squad Coach, Debbie Hanna, was impressed with the squad performances: “the sailors have worked hard over the winter and this is an accumulation of their training. For NI to take the overall team win as well as first overall is fantastic and well deserved over a tough weekend’s racing”.

Performance Manager, Richard Honeyford added “Every year the standard of sailing at this event increases and it is great to see how well all our sailors can do against their peers across the water. The whole team had some good individual performances, which is the result of enjoying their training and putting into practice the processes and routines they have learnt over the winter. I have been to 8 of these events as a competitor, coach and manager and it is great to see how our sailors are developing. The coaches have done a great job and the sailors can now look forward to the remainder of the year, especially with the World Championships in Dun Laoghaire in August”.