The Rockshore / Bosun Bob's RS400 Winter Series returns to the Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club
by Gerry Reid 31 Oct 2023 00:24 PDT
5 November - 17 December 2023
Rockshore/ Bosun Bob's RS400 Winter Series at the Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club © Gerry Reid
The very popular Rockshore / Bosun Bob's RS400 Winter Series returns to Royal North for its 17th Year! Resuming this Sunday 5th November, running up to the 17th of December, concluding with the infamous Christmas Race!
The racing consists of three (sometime four) short sharp races on a tight start line, all in fairly bitter conditions. This is one of the biggest one design winter fleets racing in Ireland, the fact that the competitors keep returning year after year is testament to the fun and cracking racing to be had at this event.
The organisers are expecting 20 boats on the start line on Sunday. This year competitors are coming from near and far, aside from the home RNIYC fleet. Joining them will be RS400s from Carrick, Ballyholme, Strangford, Newcastle, Coleraine, Antrim and Dublin, with at least one helm flying over each weekend from London.
Regulars returning are Liam Donnelly and Brian Holmes who have been supporting this event from almost the get go, although the later claims an unbroken record! As well as the aforementioned, the Vaughan cousins, Ross and Andrew are back sailing together and will be a formidable team. The last two years' champs Kennedy and Kane duo won't want to let the trophy go - they will be looking for a hat trick!
Luke McIlwaine and Ryan Wilson have had an excellent season so far and should figure on the leader board. The Purdon Hayes team are also going well and will give the others a tough time. Bob Espey is back this year and has been very quick in the past, as is one of the event sponsors Bosun Bob, Hastings / Higgins mix - they will be pushing at every opportunity.
The Dublin Duo (new this year) Andrew Irvin and Ailing O'Grady will definitely want to make their weekly journey worthwhile. Also making a debut at this event are Micheal Browne and Jane Buchanan, fresh from a winning streak in the RS Elite fleet.
There is still time to enter, at rniyc.org Racing starts this Sunday 1.30 at Cultra. The organisers would like to thank the continued support of our sponsors Rockshore and Bosun Bob's.