SOME 12 teams travelled from throughout Ireland to compete in the 2022 J24 Northern Championships hosted by Lough Erne Yacht Club over the weekend of June 18-19.

Four local boats took part, including Barry Humphreys on TJ, Tim Rippey on Jigalo, Luke McBride on Crazy Horse and JP McCaldin on Il Riccio.

Racing on Lower Lough Erne from the Lough Erne Yacht Club, the teams completed all six races over the weekend in strong winds on the broad lough. Racing was expertly overseen by national race officer Derek Bothwell and a team of volunteers on and off the water.

Race one on Saturday afternoon started in 24 knots of wind and was a very close contest, with the lead changing several times the race eventually going to local team Il Riccio led by JP McCaldin; second was the new owner of Hard On Port, from Bray Sailing Club, Dave Bailley, with Diarmaid Mullen, Sligo Yacht Club, in third position with his new boat to the class Smugairle Róin, and close battles down the fleet for the other places.

Race two went to Class president Mark Usher from Greystones Sailing Club, sailing Jumpin’ Jive again, with second place going to Hard On Port and Il Riccio in third.

Race three saw Hard On Port take their first race win with Jumpin’ Jive in second position and Colm O’ Flaherty and team in their new boat, Jedi, from Sligo Yacht club coming third.

With the wind increasing again, Hard On Port dominated race four to take the win from Il Riccio with Smugairle Róin in third.

Very tired, battered, and bruised sailors retired to the club house in Killadeas for an evening of entertainment and to swap tails of the day’s epic racing in strong winds and sea-like waves.

The scene was set on Sunday for an exciting two-race showdown between Hard on Port, Il Riccio and Jumpin’ Jive all separated by just three points – meaning any one of them could still take the event.

Strong winds

Sunday dawned calmer, but by the time the teams arrived in the sailing area, winds were again as strong as the previous days and small jibs were the order of the day to keep the boats under control.

Race five was again a battle between Hard On Port and Il Riccio. Il Riccio needed to beat Hard On Port to keep their event hopes alive, and were leading at mark 1, but great speed by Hard On Port saw them take the lead in the race and their tight controlling position over Il Riccio allowed Jumpin’ Jive through to take second from Il Riccio.

This result meant Hard On Port took their first event win under Dave Bailley, with a race to spare, and left the rest to battle it out for the final race.

The final race was dominated by Il Riccio who stuck with the smaller jib, Smugairle Róin also stuck with their jib and came second, with Jumpin’ Jive third.

This result meant Il Riccio finished second overall with Jumpin’ Jive in third. First silver fleet and under-25 team went to Howth’s under-25 team on Killcullen, led by Oisin O’Connor – definitely a team to watch for the future.

Then it was back to the club house to derig and get ready for the long drive home for all the travelling teams.

The J24 Northern Champion for 2022, Dave Bailey, said: “We’re delighted to get the win in very challenging conditions over the weekend.

“A great start to the season, and we’re looking forward to the events ahead throughout Ireland. The event was run superbly from start to finish, as always, by LEYC. More great memories to add to our sailing up North.”

At the prizegiving event, organiser June Clarke thanked event sponsors Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Hidden Hearing and North Sails, and wished everyone a safe journey, adding that everyone is looking forward to meeting up for the National championships in Foynes Yacht club in July.