The final day of the MeesPierson IRC Championship today saw lighter and brighter conditions than Saturday but not by much. At the start of racing the wind speed was about 16 knots but had increased to up to 20 knots by the start of the final race.

The general banter on the dock at Shepherds Wharf after racing was that the MeesPierson IRC Championship had been a happy event. The weather had served up some mixed and at times trying conditions and the level of boat handling and great courses set by the Race Committee had produced some tight and interesting racing.

IRC Super Zero

Kit Hobday’s Farr 52 retained the Super Zero title and against the odds, before the regatta, most felt that Nik Lykiardopulo’s Aera would be too quick upwind and Eamon Conneely’s Patches too fast downwind. However, Bear of Britain ran out deserved winners after performing consistently all weekend and the young crew kept there heads up even when they were beaten by Patches on the first day.

IRC 0

Colm Barrington had a big grin on his face as the Ker 39 Flying Glove tied up at the dock and rightly so having beaten off stiff opposition to win class and take the MeesPierson RORC IRC Championship Trophy back to Ireland for the first time. Barrington commented: “The racing was great fun and I have really enjoyed the Championship. It is always a pleasure to come Cowes as we find the place and the people give a great welcome.Next we will be racing in Kinsale in the Sovereign’s Cup and we are looking forward to competing there against the likes of Tiamat and Patches.”

Second in Class Zero was Jonathan Goring’s J/133 Jeronimo who managed to beat Flying Glove in race 7 but could not catch the Irish Flying machine.

IRC1

Jerry Otter’s IMX 40 Exabyte 2 kept up a consistent performance to win a highly competitive class of 17 entrants. However, the E2 crew were pushed all the way in this championship with Lance Stevens Bavaria 42 Sidney and Eamon Rohan’s Corby 35 Mustang Sally still in contention going into the last race. However, Eamon and his crew on the Corby 35 suffered not one but two collisions in the last race pushing them down to third.

IRC2

More joy for the Irish as Anthony O’Leary’s Corby 36 Antix won IRC3 from the J/39 Assassin and took home the Jackdaw Trophy for second overall. A tense final day was well sailed by the all Irish crew winning race 7 and tying for first place with Peter Rutter’s Elan 37 Quokka in the last race. Antix will be sailing back to Ireland and will be competing in the Irish IRC Nationals in Kinsale.

IRC3

David Pinner’s X332 Kiss won IRC3 with a first and a second on the last day, Adam Gosling’s Corby 29 Yes! retired from Race 7 after a protest was lodged which effectively took them out of the running for first place but the sleek Corby recovered well winning the last race and just holding off the Royal Navy’s Sigma 38 Gauntlet of Tamar.

Overall Results (provisional after 8 races

IRCSZ

1. Bear of Britain Farr 52 Kit Hobday 11pts

2. Aera Ker 55 Nik Lykiardopulo 16 pts

3. Patches TP 52 Eamon Conneely 23 pts

4. Oystercatcher XXVOyster 72 Richard Matthews 29 pts

IRC0

1. Flying Glove Ker 39 Colm Barrington 9 pts

2. Jeronimo J 133 Jonathan & Lisa Goring 16 pts

3. Vespucci’s Black Sheep First 44.7 Leo Clifford 24 pts

IRC1

1. Exabyte 2 IMX 40 Jerry Otter 12 pts

2. Sidney Bavaria 42 Lance Stevens 15 pts

3. Mustang Sally Corby 36 Eamonn Rohan 18 pts

IRC2

1. Antix Corby 36 Anthony O’Leary 8.5 pts

2. Assassin J 39 Peter Jackson/Gary Shaffur 15 pts

3. Quokka Elan 37 Peter Rutter 22.5 pts

IRC3

1. Kiss X332 David Pinner 8.5 pts

2. Yes! Corby 29 Adam Gosling 18.5 pts

3. Gauntlet of Tamar Sigma 38 Royal Navy Sailing Association 19 pts