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WUKA and Rooster RS Feva Grand Prix GP1 at Ballyholme Yacht Club

by Simon Greenhalgh 22 Aug 2024 05:05 PDT 16-18 August 2024
Millie Greenhalgh and Tom Sinfield trying to roll Phoebe and Ben Greenhalgh - RS Feva Grand Prix at Ballyholme © Simon McIlwaine / www.wavelengthimage.com

With a sprint series training event completed on Friday, GP1 was embedded within the Feva Irish Nationals.

The fleet of 27 launched in a gusty south westerly and reached out about a mile for some consistent breeze in Belfast Loch. Aiden Pounder the RO got the first away on time with 12- 15 kts and occasional gusts into the 20s.

With a cross-section of experience, there were battles throughout the fleet with a few finding the sharp chop and feisty gusts a considerable challenge. The second race was a similar story with a trapezoid course again in use and similar experiences for all. The early frontrunners with two firsts were Phoebe Greenhalgh with her amateur crew Ben Greenhalgh, followed by Tom Sinfield with Millie Greenhalgh with seconds.

With the final race of the day a windward-leeward course was set which would prove a blessing for the mark laying team as the 20 left degree shift just after start continued its merry way to 40 degrees and beyond. Half way up the beat there were mixed feelings from the leaders and losers at the subsequent abandonment. Some slick work saw the course reset and into sequence only to be afflicted with further shifts, postponements and resets.

The gusts were increasing in ferocity as the fleet finally got away and some of the local talent decided it was time to demonstrate their metal. A first for Emily and Annabel Ridout, followed by Matt and Peter Ridout, with Jessica Dadley-Young and Sally Nixon closing out for a top 3 from BYC.

Racing largely complete, the heroics were not over as the fleet recovered to shore in a steady 25 Kts and reducing visibility.

Off the water and a post race snack was greatly received.

Whilst the sailors had been competing, a team of volunteers led by Glynis Ridout had casually rustled up a hearty two course meal and set tables for 80, all accompanied by an Irish three piece youth band! UK sailors, please don't expect this at every GP in the future.

Day 2 and 18 kts forecast kept a few boats on the shore. With the front runners now up to speed, the BYC boats threw down the gauntlet with a Ridout 1 and 2. The scores tight and positions changing on all the remaining races, it came down to a point between 1st and 2nd overall with at least three other boats all in contention to podium.

With a number of the Irish boats adopting a goose winging and death rolling downwind tactic on the runs, the fleet was largely split between those who did and did not use the asymmetric.

The final overall victors in GP1 were Phoebe and Ben followed by Emily and Annabel with third going to Tom and Millie. Emily and Annabel were also crowned Irish National Champions with Jessica and Sally as runners up.

With a haul of Rooster prizes distributed and a raffle of a full set of sails complete, it only left a fond farewell between all the sailors who returned home with happy memories and great friendships built. The event lead by Glynis and Matt Ridout was a resounding success and the welcome and hosting given by Ballyholme Yacht Club and it's members was unparalleled.

When asked for comment, Ben and Tom both agreed that the club also has the best showers in the men's changing rooms they have ever experienced at any sailing club but they felt unable to comment on the ladies' facilities!

Overall Results:

PosSail NoHelmCrewClubR1R2R3R4R5R6Pts
1st8791Phoebe GreenhalghBen GreenhalghPort Dinorwic SC11‑44129
2nd6095Emily RidoutAnnabel RidoutBYC‑55112110
3rd8818Millie GreenhalghTom SinfieldPort Dinorwic SC22‑633313
4th6351Matthew RidoutPeter RidoutBYC44224‑516
5th2358Jessica Dadley‑YoungSally NixonBYC‑63355420
6th6581Ross NolanMartha NolanBYC / RNIYC3776‑8831
7th4281Sam KellyDaniel LongEast Down YC7‑9876634
8th1899David FletcherWilliam FletcherBYC981187(DNC)43
9th4595Ellie NolanNiamh ComanRNIYC810‑1299945
10th4299Charlie StockingAlannah KellyEDYC10‑1191010746
11th5487Matthew HoldenTom FletcherBYC11121011(DNC)1054
12th1715Lucy AndersonSophie MurrayRNIYC12‑131312111159
13th2981Anna WilkinsonCara ComanRNIYC(DNC)65DNCDNCDNC62
14th5482Ryan SmithJasper SmithBYC(DNF)DNCDNCDNCDNCDNC85
14th82David McGintyDaniel McGintyBYC(DNC)DNCDNFDNCDNCDNC85
14th2395Chloe WhyteGreta QutteinehBYC(DNC)DNCDNCDNCDNCDNC85

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