Charles Hurst Jaguar Land Rover Ballyholme Yacht Club Icebreaker Series Part 1 concludes Sunday

Ballyholme YC Icebreaker Series © Mark Mackey

Excitement is building for the end of Part One of the Charles Hurst Jaguar Landrover Icebreaker Series which comes to a finale tomorrow Sunday (22nd December 2019) at Ballyholme Yacht Club.

One of the biggest open dinghy series in Ireland and UK, it runs from October through to the start of April 2020 with 22 races scheduled in 2 parts before and after Christmas. The prize-giving tomorrow is followed by the infamous Icebreaker dinner which has been held for over 25 years with the usual merriment planned again.

Ballyholme YC Icebreaker Series - photo © Mark Mackey

Over 90 dinghies have raced in this years competition so far. The biggest fleet as per usual are the Laser Standards with veteran Chris Boyd yet again leading the fleet boosted by a few light wind races in the last few weeks. The start of the series had plenty of Northerly breezes which allowed the Simms - both father John and son Conor to put in some strong results alongside Jonathan Henry and other Grand Master Charlie Taylor. A broken rudder pintle 2 weeks ago dropped Johny behind Conor and Chris with only 4 points separating the top 3. All eyes will be on the weather forecast and who will benefit most from the conditions.

The Laser start line has been compressed further with the Radial fleet joining in the action meaning up to 50 dinghies on the start line. Dan McGaughey has been off practicing with the GBR Radial squad (coming 2nd of the "brits'" at the Palomas Christmas regatta yesterday, leaving the rest of the BYC fleet to fight for honours - youths Jess Winton, Ollie Haig and some of the other RYANI squad joined by seniors Russell Finlay, Joni Rock and Colm McLarnon and others. We expect to see many more appear after Christmas as people start gearing towards the Laser Radial Youth Europeans next July to be held at BYC.

Ballyholme YC Icebreaker Series - photo © Mark Mackey

The large dinghy fleet has a mix of boats with RS Aeros' of varying shapes (including IRO Robin Gray) and sizes, Rs200s, RS400s, 505's but they have been largely following the Laser 2000 of Dave Fletcher and Ryan Smyth throughout the series. A number of 2000's have appeared this year mainly helmed by more at the other end of the fleet but its great to see the PY handicap to the fore showing that some of the older designs can still compete well.

Adrian Allen and a variety of crews aboard his F18 has been sharing race wins with James McNicholl and Richard Swanston in the multihull fleet with Adrian leading overall.

Ballyholme YC Icebreaker Series - photo © Mark Mackey

The small dinghy fleet and Topper fleets have fluctuated depending on the wind speed and also whether the very popular Junior Icebreaker has been held on the previous Saturday which has seen 20 plus Toppers compete. Lucas Nixon has been leading the way in 4.7's with Ellen Barbour coming stronger on the lighter days. Various winners have appeared in the Toppers with Charlie O'Malley, Daniel Palmer, Dan Sheriff and others all sharing the spoils. Points are close for the overall Part 1 so tomorrow's race should be very interesting to see who comes with the pressure of trying to win the first series.

This is the first time that Charles Hurst Jaguar Landrover have sponsored the event and many thanks must be given to them for supporting this great series.

Results so far: