The event was based on Downings Beach and event organiser Nick Fletcher put together an exciting weekend for all 130 competitors. Sailors of all abilities were on the water to do battle for over 30 titles. The event results also counted towards the Irish Slalom Series, Ireland’s premier windsurfing tour.

 As usual the forecast played mind games throughout the week, varying from force 2 and at one stage there were rumours of gale force winds on the way. Saturday kicked off at 9am with a large crowd gathering on the beach. By 10am eighty one sailors had registered for the gold fleet and nearly 50 sailors in the silver fleet. A massive fleet by any standards – the numbers were easily handled by the large team of event volunteers – who after 26 years have event management down to a fine art.  

During the briefing at 10.30am the wind on the outer 6 buoy downwind course was averaging 10 knots, slightly below the required 12 knot for ranked racing.  By 11am a large fleet of novice sailors accompanied by the junior gold fleet took to the water to begin race 1, on their mini 4 buoy down wind course, within the harbour. This fleet displayed a fine example of Ireland’s new breed of national champions. Sailors ranged in age from 6 to 46. Excellent performances were put in by Adam Loughridge (U-12), Jessica Hood (U-10), Chloe Hood (U-12), Rebecca McNutt (U-12), Padraig McGinty (U-10) and Josh Louett Feisser (U-8). 

As a steady breeze continued to blow on the outer course, the 81 sailors in the gold fleet took to the water just after midday. A challenging six buoy down wind course over 6 miles in distance, was in place since Friday evening. The wind, still hovering around the ten knot mark, was only enough to get the light wind specialists on big sails going. Whilst reigning national champion Pearse Geaney, along with Paul Simmons, Hannes Louet Feisser, Maurice Owens and Marie Buchanan made their way swiftly around the course, others took the opportunity to have a chat and make some new friends while they made there way around the long course. After two races in the light conditions, Race Office Nick Fletcher called the gold fleet back to the beach for a well earned rest. With no further increase in wind this marked the end of the gold fleet sailing for the day.  

With the gold fleet now back on base with lots of aching arms the Silver and Junior fleets were quickly back out on the water after lunch. Once again racing on the mini downwind course, silver fleet race officer John Boyce packed in another four hotly contested races. This time around notable performers were Emett Kelly (U-17), Lucy Backas (U-17), Matthew Toland (U-14), Jodie Hood (U-14), Alana Louett Feisser (U-12), David Lait (U-12). 

After a great days sailing on the water, the event organisers had another treat for competitors. Once off the water all sailors were rewarded with hot dogs and beverages, with all proceeds going to the RNLI. Saturday night saw over 230 people attend the event dinner and disco at the Downings Bay Hotel. The younger fleets took charge of the dance floor until midnight. Despite a good forecast for Sunday many of the older sailors rocked on until the early hours.  

Hangover or no hangover, briefings on Sunday morning commenced on the button at 10.30am, with the first races for all fleets commencing at 11am. This time round there was plenty of wind, with up to 30 knots recorded on the outer course. The gold fleet were keen to take advantage of the planning conditions and took to the water for the first race of the day. With winds averaging just below the 20 knot mark – sails ranged anything from 6.0m2 to 9.0m2. Race one saw some large lulls throughout the course, with competitors having to tack to make some of the marks. As the end of the fleet made there way across the finish line, the wind began to fill in. By race two the majority of the gold fleet had changed down to there smaller rigs, with winds now averaging 25-30 knots. The 6 mile down wind course was completed by the top ten sailors in well under fifteen minutes. The outer gybe marks provided some excellent action as the incoming tide saw an increase in the swell. Five more races were completed in quick succession. The high winds saw several equipment failures. Despite the rough conditions, all victims were swiftly brought back to shore by the large fleet of rescue craft.  Once again Pearse Geaney led the gold fleet, taking podium position in all six races. Also at the top of the fleet were Maurice Owens, Hannes Louett Feisser, Danny Mulryan and Guy Molyneux. Newcomer to the Slalom events; William Revels sailed very well all weekend taking several top five positions. Local young hotshots Mat McNutt and Joseph Fletcher were consistently in the top ten. 

Despite the rough conditions, the silver and junior gold fleets were once again battling it out on the inner course. Six more races were completed. Seasoned Gold Fleet sailors were amazed by the skill of eight year old local sailor John Fletcher in the U-14 category, who won all but one race in the Junior Gold Fleet. John was closely followed by another local hotshot in the U14 girls category; Rebecca Fletcher. Racing alongside the junior gold fleet were the older members of the silver fleet. After completing 14 races throughout the weekend, newcomers Alessia Stocca (Ladies), John Mahon (Mens)and Sally Fletcher (Grand Master) lead the way in there respective age groups.  

To round off a hard day’s work, Nick lined all sailors up on the beach for a Le-Mans style start. Here we go again; it’s the annual master blast. Three miles out to the far side of the bay, gybe round the 30 foot Iron Man, in large rolling swell and back to the beach. Testing everyone’s stamina, even Batman and Superman turned up to join in on the action. To the relief of many sailors this marked the end of a cracking days racing.  

A large crowd gathered on the beach in the late afternoon for the prize giving. Downings renowned for excellent prizes raised the bar once again. The large fleet of younger sailors were all awarded with prizes. The winners in the older fleets also left the beach with some very substantial prizes.  

A big thank you to all who made the event a massive success: Nick Fletcher and the Downings Event Crew, Tushingham Sails, Starboard, The Irish Slalom Series Team, DiscoverIreland.ie, Mulroy Sea Cliff and Rescue and the long list of supporters and volunteers. Full results and photos are available on here. The next event on the series takes competitors south to Cork on August 15^th/ 16^th 

Overall Results Gold Fleet (Including Non Ranked Races)

1. Pearse Geaney

2. Paul Simmons

3. Hannes Louet Feisser 

Grand Master – Chris Loughridge

Master – Guy Molyneux

U20 – Matthew McNutt

U17 – Joseph Fletcher

U14 – John Fletcher  

Overall Ladies Gold Fleet

1. Marie Buchanan

2. Katie McAnnena

3. Johanne Murphy 

U20 – Amy McBride

U17 – Anna Bonner

U14 – Rebecca Fletcher

Report photo: By Steve & Zoe