Rockshore / Bosun Bobs RS400 Winter Series at Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club - Preview
by Gerry Reid 31 Oct 2025 09:27 PDT
2 November - 21 December 2025
Rockshore/ Bosun Bob's RS400 Winter Series at the Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club © Gerry Reid
The Rockshore/ Bosun Bob's RS400 Winter Series returns for its 19th Year at RNIYC!
Following the celebrations of 20 years of RS400 sailing at the royal North of Ireland Yacht Club, this season also marks the 19th running of the hugely popular RS400 Winter Series at Cultra.
The Series will run over eight consecutive Sundays, from 2nd November to 21st December, with racing starting at 1.30 each week. Generally consisting of three short races. Despite the cold conditions, this Format of racing is beloved, making this one of the biggest one design Winer Sailing events in Ireland.
Once again, the early entry list has a strong list of Contenders. Former winners Peter Kennedy and Stephen Kane (RNIYC) will be keen to reclaim their old trophy back again! Their chances could certainly be improved if they remember to fit the bung before racing!
Then we have Ross Kearney and Andrew Vaughan (RNIYC), their boat has usually been at the top of the fleet with podium places in the past, however the overall win has eluded them, could this finally be their season totake the overall win?
Jocelyn Hill and Rowan Berry from Carrickfergus Sailing Club have shown terrific turn of speed albeit in an older hull and is expected to mix it up at the top end of the fleet. Tom Purdon and Olivia Hayes from Strangford, are regulars at this event and will defiantly make their presence felt!
Neil Calvin and Sharon Corkhill (Carrickfergus) are making a welcome return this year.
We can't leave these Runners and riders without mentioning the Uncle of the Fleet Liam Donnelly with his Crew this year Katy Nelson, Liam knows the 400 fleet probably better that anyone, and it's always a pleasure watching him give a masterclass and inspiration to the younger wannabe rockstars!
Entries are expected to be 18 this year with some guest boats showing up for the Christmas Race on Sunday 21st December. Racing starts this Sunday at 1.30 RNIYC Cultra.
Enter now: rniyc.org/sailingeventtickets/p/rs400springseries-kpth8