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News items |
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AUTUMN J/24 CHAMPIONSHIP - REPORT |
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In Saturday’s hard wind driven rain, and Sunday’s soft sunny conditions, Ireland’s Autumn J/24 Championship, hosted by Lough Erne Yacht Club, saw splendid sailing sport, close and competitive.
The two top boats, with helmsmen from Lough Erne and Lough Neagh, emerged equal on total points after six races. The tie was broken in favour of Lough Erne’s Michael McCaldin in Murder Picture, who had won three races. This crew got the Autumn Trophy, a fine cased full-rig model of a J/24.
Moreover, Murder Picture’s team received the J/24 Association’s new Clarke Trophy for the best gold fleet performance across the 2008 season’s J/24 events, one that included winning May’s Western event on Lough Ree.
WET HARD WEATHER
Event organiser, LEYC’s J/24 Fleet Captain, Bridget Rippey sent widespread invitations for this final event in the Irish J/24 season. First the defending champion could not attend. Flor O’Driscoll, Royal Cork YC, was invited to the Irish Sailing Association’s event for Ireland’s top helmsmen, and the date ISA set clashed. Then some boats visiting and local declined after a week of forecasts suggesting weekend sailing might be impossible. However, fortune favoured the bold, and those who braved Saturday’s nasty weather faced hard wet work but excellent racing well managed by LEYC’s National Race Officer, Fred Ternan.
Saturday’s courses were set on the south part of the Broad Lough, safely clear of the hard shifting gusts around islands yet free of the worst waves in a west wind. Sunday’s final two of six races planned, all three rounds of a windward-leeward course, were on courses set nearer the Club in a moderate north wind and sunshine, with windward mark near Rossclare and leeward near Inishfree for good racing where visiting sailors sampled the good sport in a scenic setting oft enjoyed by locals on summer Tuesdays.
YOUNG BUCKS AND OLD
Stuart Harrison from Lough Neagh SC helmed Marcus Isherwood’s Jadore, from LEYC, in a special kind of contest, a visiting young buck challenging an old buck on his home waters. Michael McCaldin J/24 team has won many Irish events in over 20 years past and is rarely bested on Lough Erne. Sailing’s lowest-points-best scoring system gives one point for a first place, two for a second etc, then omits worst race score from the total count to decide event rankings. Jadore’s crew counted one first, three seconds, and one third, omitting the other, to emerge with 10 points overall and equal to Murder Picture’s count 10 from three firsts, a third and fourth, omitting a fifth. Jadore got the new runner-up Autumn Trophy.
Michael McCaldin faced a second young buck, his son John Patrick McCaldin, a former junior LEYC sailor now living in Scotland. He challenged with a crew from Dalgety Bay SC in his dad’s old Westerly built J/24, Jet used for Tuesday racing at LEYC. Jet’s 12 overall points included two first places. One was in the second race, holding off Diarmuid O’Donovan second in Sayonara, Jadore third and fourth his dad in Murder Picture. The other was in the fourth race, where Dad came third and Jadore second - clear evidence of close and competitive sailing sport despite testing conditions. Jet took this Autumn event’s silver fleet trophy, as best among the old Westerly built boats competing.
Moreover, Jet also got the second overall silver fleet Clarke Trophy for top performance across all Irish J/24 events in 2008.
OTHER LEYC BOATS
LEYC’s Diarmuid O’Donovan in Sayonara, did well, 13 points overall, just one astern of Jet. This crew took three good second places in the first three races, then a fourth, as Saturday’s north wind and rain relented to allow most boats change up to the larger Genoa sail. A third and an omitted fifth in Sunday’s summer sailing, wind still north but moderate in sunny weather, completed Sayonara’s total score of 12 to merited fourth place overall, behind Jet 11 third, Jadore 10 second, and Murder Picture 10, first.
J/24 Association President, Robin Eagleson, helming Luder Too from Lough Neagh SC, another old Westerly-built boat in immaculate condition, emerged fifth overall and thus merited this event’s second overall silver fleet trophy, in a scheme to encourage event participation with a new range of perpetual trophies awarded by the J/24 Association of Ireland.
These include Clarke Trophies for best performance across the whole season’s J/24 events. Among these, the top silver fleet trophy went to Luder Too for 2008. Robin Eagleson is also an LEYC member, and had won the Howard Trophy presented at Lough Erne Yacht Club’s Summer Regatta back in June by the club to mark 25 years of its J/24 fleet racing.
Michael Clarke’s Jeriatrix, LEYC made silver fleet third at this Championship, holding off a challenge by Shaun Sowden’s Jorvik competing with helm, Clive Burgess and crew from LEYC’s keen fleet of Yeoman keelboats, who bested |Jeriatrix in the first race. Barry Humphries in Mejoolie retired on Saturday, but got out on Sunday with crew from LEYCís Skipjack and Jasper, boats that did not sail at all in the event. Nor did Wild Thing, a J/24 up from Dublin Bay, whose crew declined Saturdayís weather. |
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J/24 National Championships - Report & Results |
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 NORTHERN BOAT WINS J24 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Carlingford Sailing Club played host to one of Ireland’s top sailing championships last weekend when 14 boats from seven different clubs competed in the highly competitive Loughs Agency-sponsored J24 Class National Championship, with the overall title going to Michael Ennis and the crew of ‘TAZ’ from Carrickfergus Sailing Club. Michael Ennis will go forward to represent the J24 Class at the Irish Sailing Association All-Ireland Sailing Champion of Champions.
Seven races were sailed over the two days of the event and the Carrick crew won the last two races impressively to beat former champion Mickey McAldin of Lough Erne YC in ‘Murder Picture’ by three points overall. Another three points behind in third place was the defending champion Stefan Hyde of the Royal St.George YC in Dun Laoghaire (who is also the current All-Ireland Sailing Champion).
The leading local Carlingford entry was James Byrne in ‘Gossip’ in fourth place, after consistently finishing in the top six in every race. Competitors travelled from as far afield as Dun Laoghaire, Malahide, Lough Neagh and Lough Erne to race in the event. The J24 is one of the biggest international classes of small keelboat racing boats and the Irish Class Association is looking to bring the European and World Championships to Ireland in the next five years.
J24 IRISH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2008
Carlingford Sailing Club
FINAL Results
Overall
Sailed:7, Discards:1, To count:6, Entries:14
| Place |
Boat Name |
Fleet |
Helm |
Club |
Race 1 |
Race 2 |
Race 3 |
Race 4 |
Race 5 |
Race 6 |
Race 7 |
Points |
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| 1 |
Taz |
G |
Michael Ennis |
CSC |
(12) |
7 |
3 |
2 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
19 |
| 2 |
Murder Picture |
G |
Mickey McCaldin |
LEYC |
7 |
5 |
(bfd) |
3 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
22 |
| 3 |
Carrabeg |
S |
Stefan Hyde |
RStGYC |
9 |
(ocs) |
1 |
1 |
7 |
4 |
3 |
25 |
| 4 |
Gossip |
G |
James Byrne |
CSC |
3 |
4 |
4 |
6 |
3 |
5 |
(9) |
25 |
| 5 |
Jay Kay |
G |
Tim Sheard |
LNSC |
2 |
(10) |
6 |
4 |
2 |
7 |
5 |
26 |
| 6 |
Hard on Port |
G |
Flor O'Driscoll |
RStGYC |
8 |
(11) |
2 |
5 |
4 |
8 |
4 |
29 |
| 7 |
Saynara |
G |
Diarmuid O'Donavan |
LEYC |
10 |
2 |
7 |
(13) |
9 |
3 |
7 |
38 |
| 8 |
Dandy Rocker |
G |
Grame Grant |
CSC |
5 |
6 |
9 |
10 |
8 |
6 |
(11) |
44 |
| 9 |
Luder Too |
S |
Robin Eagleson |
LNSC |
11 |
9 |
5 |
7 |
6 |
10 |
(13) |
48 |
| 10 |
Scandal |
G |
Brian McDowel |
MYC |
1 |
1 |
(bfd) |
12 |
11 |
12 |
12 |
49 |
| 11 |
Nauti Girl |
S |
Stephen Deasy |
NYC |
(13) |
3 |
10 |
9 |
12 |
9 |
6 |
49 |
| 12 |
Jigalo |
G |
Tim Rippey |
LEYC |
6 |
(13) |
8 |
8 |
10 |
11 |
8 |
51 |
| 13 |
Me Joolie |
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Barry Humphreys |
LEYC |
4 |
8 |
11 |
(14) |
13 |
13 |
10 |
59 |
| 14 |
Wild Thing |
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Ross Doyle |
NYC |
14 |
12 |
12 |
11 |
(dnc) |
dnc |
dnc |
79 |
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THE CLARKE TROPHY |
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At our National Council meeting in October last year it was agreed that we would introduce a new trophy in 2008 to recognise the contribution that Michael Clarke has made to the class over many years , and also to encourage participation in National events throughout the season.
Points are awarded to boats participating in each National event throughout the year, based on the number of boats participating and on the individual results achieved.There are separate competitions for Gold and Silver fleets and trophies for each.
As an example of how the points system works the winner of an event with an entry of ten boats would be awarded ten points. Second place would have nine points and so on down the entry list.
Points earned in the National Championship event will carry a “bonus “ of 33% to reflect the importance of this event.
At the moment , prior to the Nationals , “Murder Picture “ is leading the Gold Fleet one point ahead of “ Taz”, with “Hard on Port” just one more point behind in third place.
In the Silver fleet “ Jacquerie” is one point ahead of “ Luder Too”.
With a projected entry of sixteen for the Nationals at carlingford and bonus points on offer there is everything to sail for !
See you there,
Robin Eagleson |
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J/24s at the Saab Cruiser Nationals |
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Saab Cruiser Nationals - Overall Results (after 7 races)
Flor O'Driscoll sailing Hard on Port & Brian McDowell sailing Scandal
sailed in the ICRA National Championships.
Snipped from:
Event Report - Final Day (Day 3) - 18th May
by Graham Smith - Posted Sunday 18th May
Class 3
The best performance of the entire regatta was in Class 3 where Flor O'Driscoll of the Royal St.George demonstrated just how fast and competitive a J/24 can be.
A stunning results card of five firsts and a second with 'Hard on Port' provided the lowest tally in any class.
Vince Gaffney's 'Alliance' of HYC was well sailed as always but couldn't match the O'Driscoll crew as the event progressed.
Second place, eight points behind, was reasonable reward over the seven races while another Howth boat, 'Starlet' (Fergus O'Kelly et al) was just three points further behind.
Such was the J/24's dominance that Hard on Port also took the ECHO crown, and it proved to be a 'J' double too, with Brian McDowell's Scandal from Malahide taking second ahead of the Sonata 'Asterix' (Counihan/Meredith/Caulfield, DMYC).
The event was considered to be the best ICRA National Championships yet held, with the biggest fleet, ideal racing conditions, great courses and good onshore organisation and administration. Support from title sponsor SAAB was critical and other backing from Pro-Rig and the on-the-water caterers Butler's pantry proved invaluable.
The Championship Committee was chaired by Chris Howard.
Class 3 (IRC)
1. Hard on Port, Flor O'Driscoll, RStGYC, 7 pts
2. Alliance, Vince Gaffney, HYC, 15 pts
3. Starlet, Fergus O'Kelly & others, HYC, 18 pts
Class 3 (ECHO)
1. Hard on Port, Flor O'Driscoll, RStGYC, 18 pts
2. Scandal, Brian McDowell, MYC, 21 pts
3. Asterix, Counihan/Others, DLM, 24.5 pts |
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J/24 Western Championship - Results |
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Sponsored by 
14th - 15th June 2008
Hosted by Lough Ree Yacht Club
6 races sailed, one discard
| Place |
Boat Name |
Fleet |
Helm |
Club |
Race 1 |
Race 2 |
Race 3 |
Race 4 |
Race 5 |
Race 6 |
Points |
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| 1 |
Murder Picture |
G |
Mickey McCaldin |
LEYC |
(3) |
1 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
8 |
| 2 |
Jibberish |
G |
Stephen Bradshaw |
PYC |
2 |
2 |
1 |
(6) |
4 |
3 |
12 |
| 3 |
Hard on Port |
G |
Desmond Fortune |
RStGYC |
(6) |
5 |
2 |
3 |
6 |
2 |
18 |
| 4 |
Sayonara |
G |
Diarmuid O'Donovan |
LEYC |
4 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
(7) |
5 |
19 |
| 5 |
Jeb Stuart |
G |
Andrew Mannion |
LRYC |
5 |
3 |
(7) |
7 |
1 |
4 |
20 |
| 6 |
Jaws |
G |
Martin McNamara |
LRYC |
1 |
6 |
5 |
5 |
3 |
(7) |
20 |
| 7 |
Jacquerie |
S |
Tara Mooney |
LRYC |
(7) |
7 |
6 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
28 |
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J/24 Spring Championship - Report & Results |
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 Local Carrick hero, David Taylor helming Taz took back the Spring J/24 Trophy by one point from last year’s winner, Stuart Harrison helming Marcus Isherwood’s Jadore. Race Officer, Ken Atkinson arranged splendid sailing sport to start the J/24 circuit’s new season, with six lively races over the weekend 19 & 20 April in cold brisk east winds at Carrickfergus SC on Belfast Lough. Third overall was Michael McCaldin in Murder Picture from Lough Erne YC.
The Carrickfergus Taz team, national J/24 champions in 2006, were David Taylor, co-owner Paul Barbour, Connor Brennan, Steven Ferres and Emma Lovegrove, one of Ireland very best women sailors. Their next outing is to May’s Baily Bowl event organised by the Royal Alfred YC on Dublin Bay, where they won among the J/24s at this event last season.
Weather forecasts had included one with mention of gale. Some boats did not travel leaving a depleted fleet. As Woody Allen once said, 80% of success is turning up, and those who did greatly enjoyed an excellent event. Fitted in before the wind got up too much, Saturday’s first four races saw lively starts, tight roundings and lively downwind spinnaker surfing, with some tide over wind. Sunday’s final two races were again great fun in more wind and started after consulting crews. One indication of the close J/24 team sport was that first places were shared among three boats. Taz took three, Jadore two, and Steve Atkinson’s Bád stormed in to win Sunday’s final race. All in all, a great spring start to the J/24 event season for 2008.
Robin Eagleson, President, J/24 Association of Ireland
Michael Clarke, Acting Press Officer
Picture attached : J/24 Mark Rounding
19th - 20th April 2008
6 races sailed, one discard
| Place |
Boat Name |
Helm |
Club |
Race 1 |
Race 2 |
Race 3 |
Race 4 |
Race 5 |
Race 6 |
Points |
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| 1 |
Taz |
David Taylor |
CSC |
1 |
(4) |
1 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
8 |
| 2 |
Jadore |
Stuart Harrison |
LEYC |
(3) |
1 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
10 |
| 3 |
Murder Picture |
Mickey McCaldin |
LEYC |
2 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
(5) |
2 |
11 |
| 4 |
Bád |
Steve Atkinson |
CSC |
4 |
(6) |
6 |
4 |
1 |
4 |
19 |
| 5 |
Sayonara |
Diarmuid O'Donovan |
LEYC |
(7) |
3 |
4 |
6 |
4 |
5 |
22 |
| 6 |
Luder Too |
Robin Eagleson |
LNSC |
6 |
(7) |
5 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
28 |
| 7 |
Scandal |
Brian McDowell |
MYC |
5 |
5 |
(7) |
7 |
7 |
7 |
31 |
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J/24 ASSOCIATION OF IRELAND – PLANS 2008 |
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Robin Eagleson is the new President of the J/24 Association of Ireland, elected unanimously at April’s well-attended AGM in Carlingford SC. His two vice-Presidents are re-elected Stephen Bradshaw, and newly elected Flor O’Driscoll, also the new Registrar Treasurer. New Committee members are Eoin O' Fearghail, Dublin Bay and Andrew Mannion, Lough Ree.
Following widespread consultation in a strategic review over the winter, the AGM adopted a new Irish constitution with revisions on membership and administration, to match with International J/24 class changes, and to facilitate Ireland’s six-event annual J/24 programme.
A draw at the AGM set the location rotation for the 30th to 36th Irish National Championships up to 2013. In this period also, Ireland is listed by the International Class as likely host of a J/24 World and/or J/24 European Championship. Ireland’s last such event was in 2002.
Stefan Hyde, 28th Irish National J/24 Champion, and Helmsman Champion of Ireland, defends his J/24 title in September at Carlingford SC. 2008’s first event is April’s Spring Championship at Carrickfergus SC. May sees J/24s at Dublin Bay’s Baily Bowl event, June at Lough Ree YC’s Midland Championship, and August on Dublin Bay again, at RStGYC, for the Eastern Championship. The circuit ends with October’s Autumn Championship at Lough Erne YC.
Robin Eagleson gave the international report. Ireland’s long-standing J/24 World Council member, he has attended in Holland, Italy, Britain, Canada, USA, and, in 2006, Lough Erne YC in Ireland, Worldwide growth continues – now seventy J/24s in Ireland. New built J/24 numbers are significant. New national J/24 class associations include India and Singapore. Modernised construction could reduce J/24 hull costs still further, strictly within one-design principles. ISAF is considering a bid that J/24s be used in the 2012 Olympics. Ireland’s J/24s were used, for example, in ISAF’s very successful 2006 Nations Cup world final at RCYC.
Bob Turner, World J/24 President, sent a tribute from World Council to outgoing Irish J/24 President, Michael Clarke, stepping down on family health grounds after almost 10 years. The AGM agreed he be appointed Counsellor of Honour, and new event trophies in his name.
END 350 words
Further Information
Robin Eagleson, President, J/24 Association of Ireland, Telephone 028/048-3887-1163
Michael Clarke, Acting Press Officer, Telephone 028/048–6862-1426
Also attached, for background, copy of 2007 annual report to AGM and World Council.
2007 Annual Report
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Event calendar 2008. |
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J24 ASSOCIATION OF IRELAND
Event calendar….. 2008.
1. April 19th.-20th. Spring Cup Carrickfergus S.C.
2. May 17th.-18th. Baily Bowl Royal Alfred Y.C
3. June 14th –15th Westerns Lough Ree Y.C.
4. August 16th.-17th. Dublin Bay
5. September 13th-14th National Championships Carlingford.
6. October 4th-5th. Lough Erne Y. C.
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ISA All Ireland Champion of Champions |
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STEFAN HYDE, 2007 J/24 NATIONAL CHAMPION and ISA ALL IRELAND SAILING CHAMPION
The J/24 Association of Ireland is delighted that Stefan Hyde, Royal Cork Yacht Club and nominated by the International J/24 Class, has taken Ireland’s highest helmsman honour, the Irish Sailing Association’s All Ireland Sailing Championship 2007.
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Sellers & Buyers Beware |
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It has been brought to our attention that there is a scam currently being used to extract some of our hard earned cash from our wallets.
Check out the following link and it will explain just how the scam attempts to work.
http://www.bba.org.uk/bba/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=145&a=4801
It has already been tried on at least one J24 owner! |
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EVENT SPONSORS |
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2008 EVENT SPONSORS
2007 EVENT SPONSORS
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BOAT SPONSORS |
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BOAT SPONSORS
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