Irish J/24 Nationals at Carlingford Lough Yacht Club
by Paul Barbour 19 Sep 2008 00:18 PDT
13-14 September 2008
Taz has won the Irish J24 nationals for the second time under her current owners making it three in total.
Day one on Carlingford Lough saw some very fickle light winds, causing many contenders to discard the first or second race. After race two the wind disappeared only to fill in two hours later, when two more races where completed under the threat of a black flag.
Over night local boat Gossip was leading form Jay Kay (the first J24 in Europe) followed Taz in third. The results where such that at least six boats could still win the event.
The final day's conditions were good; 13 knots and flat water but overcast. Going into the final race Mickey McCalden's Murder Picture And Paul Barbour's Taz where equal on points. Taz won the final race to claim victory by 3 points from Murder Picture, followed by current ISA helmsman's champion and defending J24 champion Stefan Hyde in Carrabeg.
Taz was helmed by Micheal Ennis of Elvstrom Sobstad Ireland, using Elvstrom sails and crewed by Paul Barbour, Steve Ferris, Conor Brennen and Gordon Taylor.