Wexford Harbour Boat and Tennis Club kindly hosted the Connaught ILCA Championship on September 9/10, to round off an event packed ILCA Ireland 2023 Calendar.
Due to light winds, launch on Saturday was delayed until a steady breeze filled in from the southeast. Race officer Michael Doyle and his team organised a superb event, providing a perfect trapezoid course in Mediterranean like conditions. Due to dying breeze, racing was abandoned after race two, much to the delight of our rugby fans, who quenched their thirst in the club bar.
In the twenty-nine strong ILCA 4 fleet Eolann Miles, was in sixth position after day one, having taken fully advantage of the light conditions.
On Sunday, organisers were optimistic for an early start under thunder-threatening skies. This ominous sign didn’t deter the intrepid youth sailors. Breeze was slow to build, settling at 5 knots. ILCA 4 race was plagued by reduced wind, with Michael Doyle RO opting for the Whiskey flag in order to position the fleet, Eolann whilst being the first whiskey flag finished within the time limit in sixth position.

Whiskey flag insured Rule 42 was not imposed, breeze filled in just as all competitors crossed the finish line.
Race two saw the Black flag being imposed and no tolerance to barging on the start line, a total of six boats were black flagged in the ILCA 4 fleet. Eolann held onto sixth position on the conclusion of the first day of racing.
Day two only saw two races for a total of four to constitute a Championship.
Once the tallies were in the 4.7 class was won by Thea Daly of RStGYC with our GHYC Sailor Eolann lay in fifth overall place, second boy.
The event was sponsored by Rooster and Viking Marine, who kindly provided prizes.

For full results see: Here

A huge thanks to all Clubs for Hosting Youth ILCA events and we hope to see more GHYC sailors names on the score sheets.

Vice Commodore Carla Miles