Rockshore / Bosun Bobs RS400 Winter Series at Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club - Week 5

The Bosun Bob's/Rockshore sponsored RS400 series resumed this Sunday at RNIYC Cultra after the loss of week 4 of the series to Storm Bert. Thankfully all boats were found safe and well where they had been tied down and the weather for week 5 was looking relatively warm and moderately breezy. Eighteen boats were on the water for week five bringing the total number taking part in the series so far to twenty three.

Four short but intense races were sailed in full hiking and planning conditions on a windward leeward course into the wind and ebbing tide coming out of Belfast Lough. The tide taking the fleet away from the line may have helped get the races away at the first attempt each time together with a line set by RO Gerry Reid which spread the fleet out evenly. Some boats went well to the left and inshore in each race and others stayed nearer the middle of the course but there was a tight group converging at the first mark in each race. The downwind leg also seemed to show that either side could pay with finding the gusts overriding the possible stronger tide away from the Lough shore.

The battle to win the Daily prize was a close fought one between RNIYC teams Peter Kennedy/Stephen Kane and Ross Kearney/Andrew Vaughan with Stephen McLemon/Edwina Ternan from CSC pushing them hard. The three boats finished on 8,9 and 10 points respectively. Series leaders and Irish Endeavour winners Rob Espey and Mike Ferguson showed their usual form with a win in the final race of the day having had to fight hard with a leading group in the first three races and showing they are not unbeatable despite a run of wins over the last two race days.

Amusing mistake of the day went to Luke McIlwaine returning to the RS400 fleet with a shiny new boat 1530 which was tuned with Loos gauge and tape measure before launch but could do with a bit of non slip on the side deck to stop the helmsman disappearing out of the back of the boat due the the absence of a transom. A combination of fast swimming by Luke and agile crew work by Ryan Wilson in the front end of the boat meant they were soon back in the race without even capsizing.

Three more Sundays of the series to go and the order on the podium is still to be decided. There's a bit of a do after the final race on 22nd December to look forward to and get everyone in the Christmas spirit.

Thanks as ever to Gerry Reid and the hard working and efficient Race, Mark Laying and Safety teams that make the event happen.

Rockshore / Bosun Bobs RS400 Winter Series 2024 Week 5 - photo © Zac Dalzell

Results after week 5: