18 Nationals, Pictures and Report
There are now a full range of Dave Kneale’s pictures from the National 18 Championships available for viewing in the gallery. They are grouped for each day, and there is a seperate ‘highlights’ gallery. The image resolution has been reduced for MSR, so if you would like to purchase full sized high-res copies please contact us at photos@manxsailracer.com, with the photo number you would like.
Full Report of the Nationals from Mick Kneale
Sponsored by Isle of Man Assurance
With the generous sponsorship of ioma, the Isle of Man YC, Port St Mary ran the 2006 National 18’ Class Championship 27th July to 1st August.
Nineteen boats entered of which fifteen were visitors; nine from Cork Harbour, four from Findhorn and two from England. The championship comes to the IOM every four years, when the entry, usually around 30 boats is reduced by the small local fleet, compounded by the cost of travel for UK and Irish boats. Even so, the fact that 18’s are three-person boats and that so many camp followers attend, means that there are plenty of people to enjoy the legendary night-life.
The Thursday practice race, in very light airs, was won by reigning champions Colin Barry, Andrew Moynihan and Paul Cotter (Royal Cork), sailing 358 Happy Days.
Friday dawned with very little wind, so RO Russell Collister delayed proceedings until a measurable sea breeze set in. Race one, like every race throughout the event was recalled a couple of times, was very closely fought and was great fun. A windward/leeward course with an upwind gate was also used for every race. In the dying breeze the bullet again went to Colin Barry and crew – starting as they had left off at WPNSA last year.
Race two did not get a chance to start as a thick fog bank rolled in propelling everyone back to the bar.
Saturday’s forecast was for a steadier breeze and three races were scheduled to try to catch up. Race two was won by 2004 champions Colin Chapman, Morgan O’Sullivan and Martin Almond (Royal Cork) sailing 370 Aquaholics, pushing Happy Days into second. The Aquaholics were getting into their stride now and took race three, again from Happy Days. Race four was won by 2001 champions Davy O’Connell, Kevin Horan and Shane O’Connell (Monkstown Bay SC) sailing 356 Ball n’ Chain.
The plan for Sunday was to try get three races in – this time in a moderate to fresh Southerly wind and regular steep waves to play with. Races five and six were just taken by the Aquaholics. Race five from second placed 344 Don’t Worry (Royal Findhorn), entered by Scottish Champions Stuart and Richard Urquhart and Ross Young; and race six from local boat 332 Gorrum sailed by Mick Kneale, Angus Jolly and Dave Batchelor. With freshening winds and the rescue boats at full stretch the RO thought better of trying to squeeze a third race out of the day – much to the relief of some competitors (and the caterers!)
With four bullets, a second and a third in the first six (out of ten) races, Colin Chapman and crew were now almost unassailable for the overall Cork Harbour Trophy and had already won the coveted Cock o’ the North Trophy for the first five races.
By Monday the southerly wind was quite strong and had raised quite a step sea overnight. The RO delayed start for an hour in the hope of a slight abatement. There was none, so racing was not started. A day of golf and sightseeing for most but a few toolboxers were patching up their machines much of the day.
The fresh wind had swung round to the north for the final day, Tuesday, and was coming down off the land with heavy shifting gusts. The idea of trying to get three races in by starting an hour early turned out to be a bit optimistic but races seven and eight got underway on schedule. These were both won by 2002 champions Nick Walsh, Rob Brownlow and Mark O’Donovan (Royal Cork), sailing 372 Three Blind Mice, who seem to revel in the heavier stuff. Runners-up in the final two races were Peter O’Donovan, Colm O’Connell and Damien O’Sullivan (Royal Cork) sailing 373 The Cove Boat and Antony Ellis, James Bareham and Stu Brew (IOMYC) sailing 303 X-Fire.
Sincere thanks to Isle of Man YC and to ioma for a fantastic championship afloat and ashore. The annual top prize of a new spinnaker, courtesy of Des McWilliam, went to the boat coming 16th in race three – 330 Fat Boy Racer, sailed by Jessica Berney and her all-girl-team from Blackwater SC.
Next year’s National 18’ Class Championship takes place at Cork, 5-10 August.
Full results available on the results page