Fresh from victory in the Scottish Series, Christie Cancer Care (Tino Hyland/Nigel Biggs) had made the trip from Manchester and was the only J/109 to win two races.  Newcomers to the fleet Juniper (Kenneth Hunter), Jalapeno (Baker & Partners) and Storm (Pat Kelly) won a race each.  Holding the lead going into the final race, Christie Cancer Care merely had to hold off Juniper and Storm, to secure victory.  By Sunday the wind had subsided from 28+ knots and the sun shone.  The wind was however shifty and regular place changes which had been a feature of every race, saw Christie Cancer Care regain the lead from Storm on the final beat.  This gave them their second win of the regatta and the J/109 Open Irish National Championship.

As you would expect from an Irish regatta the evenings are an important part of the event.  In Dun Laoghaire each of the four waterfront clubs, Motor Yacht Club, Royal Irish, Royal St. George and the National Yacht Club hosted different classes.  The J/109 Class enjoyed the hospitality of the National Yacht Club and managed to drink their bar dry!

Nigel Biggs after the event said, “This was our first experience of sailing the J/109 in One-Design and one which we will definitely repeat.”

Results: 1st – Christie Cancer Care (Tino Hyland/Nigel Biggs)          (6), 2, 1, 2, 1       6 points

2nd – Juniper (Kenneth Hunter)                                                      1, (5), 3, 4, 4     12 points          

3rd – Storm (Pat Kelly)                                                                 3, (7), 7, 1, 2      13 points