RS Spring Shakedown 2025 at Carrickfergus Sailing Club

Start of Race 2 - RS Spring Shakedown at Carrickfergus © Ryan Wilson

The RS400 racing season in Northern Ireland kicked off on Sunday 27th April with a new event called the Spring Shakedown organised by Paul Robinson and the team at Carrickfergus Sailing Club. The idea was to hold a short event with multiple races ahead of the usual racing and BBQ/ social gathering that takes place on the club's opening day.

Paul and Adam Robinson powering through the chop - RS Spring Shakedown at Carrickfergus - photo © Ryan Wilson

Thirteen RS400 and two RS200 teams were greeted by somewhat overcast conditions but a solid breeze from the direction of Belfast promising a challenging and exciting days racing. The first challenge of the day was to negotiate the rather narrow hide tide channel off the slipway between the jagged harbour wall boulders, made tricky because of the onshore wind.

In our case this manoeuvring was shortly followed by a loud bang as we set off into the waves, which I thought would be followed by the rig falling down but turned out to be just the rig tension popping out of the cleat. The boat made a odd creaking sound as we set off again and the tension went back on. My new sailing partner in the 400 Daniel Nelson must have started to have some doubts about me and the boat.

Ross Kearney and Andrew Vaugan squeezing Stephen McLernon and Edwina Temon - RS Spring Shakedown at Carrickfergus - photo © Ryan Wilson

The first of the four races was won by Ross Kearney and Andrew Vaughan in their new brilliant white boat with which they hope to challenge for the UK and Irish RS400 National titles at their home club RNIYC in August. Paul and Adam Robinson from the home club started the event well with a second place.

Ross and Andrew were pushed into second in the second race by Jocelyn Hill and Rowan Berry who found themselves all alone at the pin end of the line at the gun and were able to tack and cross the fleet into a lead they never relinquished.

Jocelyn Hill covering Ross Kearney - RS Spring Shakedown at Carrickfergus - photo © Ryan Wilson

The ebbing tide seemed to be gathering strength at the start of the third and forth races a number of boats struggled to make it around the pin leading to some chaotic scenes as boat tacked and tried to weave through the boats still on starboard. In the third race Stephen McLemon and Edwina Ternon got away cleanly and moved into a lead which they extended for a comfortable win with Ross and Andrew again in second.

Ross and Andrew rounded off the event with a win in the fourth race ahead of Daniel and myself relieved that after a shaky start the boat seemed to be going fine just making the type of noises that RS400 sailors are used to.

Race 4 just after the start - RS Spring Shakedown at Carrickfergus - photo © Ryan Wilson

There were definitely some aching bodies at the end of the day as sailing muscles were tested after a long break but the event was enjoyed by all. It is hoped we can have a similar season opening event next year.

The next event in the Northern Irish RS400 programme is the RS Northern Championships at Strangford Lough YC over the weekend of 17th/18th May, a great location and club with a good fleet of 400s. SLYC are also hosting a Friday evening series after this, ideal preparation for the highlight of the season, the Noble Marine RS400 Eurocup and UK & Irish National Championships at Royal North of Ireland YC on Belfast Lough from 3rd to 8th August. Hope to see you there.

Thanks again to all at Carrickfergus SC for welcoming the RS fleet and putting on an excellent event. Thanks also to Ryan Wilson for excellent drone footage and photos which he has shared on Facebook (and given permission to be used for this article).

Patrick Hamilton and Daniel Nelson - RS Spring Shakedown at Carrickfergus - photo © Ryan Wilson

RS400 Results:

RS200 Results:

Windy run with Belfast Harbour and Goliath in the distance - RS Spring Shakedown at Carrickfergus - photo © Ryan Wilson