Mercedes Benz Belfast RS400 Eurocup and Noble Marine UK/Irish Nationals - Overall

The morning after the night before and the dinghy park at The Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club was eerily quiet, following the spectacular Gala Dinner that competitors, guests and sponsors were treated to. The band played until the wee hours and the craic was perfect, leading to many a sore head. One of the barmen had commented that he had never served so many pints of Guinness!

Coming into the final day of racing, it was all to play for up and down the results sheet, not just at the top of the table. Many crews were eager to get on the water to try and get one over on their closest rivals. The biggest showdown was going to be between Endeavour winners Ollie Groves & Esther Parkhurst from Beaver SC in England and the Irish Champions Cup winners Robert Espey & Michael Ferguson from Ballyholme YC in Northern Ireland. There were just two points separating them and tensions were high.

Robert Espey and Michael Ferguson (Irish National Champions) with Nigel Gilbert (Mercedes) - Mercedes Benz Belfast RS400 Eurocup and Noble Marine UK/Irish Nationals - photo © Thomas Anderson / www.sdsphoto.pro

After a very eventful week weather-wise, we had our fingers crossed that the wind would abate enough for the fleet to get out. The Met Office forecasted that the breeze would be 14 knots gusting 28 knots from the west and it was accurate. Most boats were getting rigged, and everyone was changed and ready to hit the water when the safety team put a quick halt on launching due to a big gust.

Sadly, that big gust never really went away, so the postponement flag was hoisted. Espey & Ferguson went out followed by a RIB, did a few laps of the moorings, with a couple of spinnaker hoists and manoeuvres to impress the TV crew, before coming ashore. Even they, who love the big winds and had much to gain, thought it was too much for safe racing.

The final straw was the committee boat reporting that it was pitching so badly in the troughs of the waves that not only was the bow getting covered with sea water, but the stern was also close to going under. With that, racing was cancelled, and the points from the day before stood as the final results.

Ollie Groves and Esther Parkhurst (Eurocup winners) with Gerry Reid (RNIYC) and Nigel Gilbert (Mercedes) - Mercedes Benz Belfast RS400 Eurocup and Noble Marine UK/Irish Nationals - photo © Thomas Anderson / www.sdsphoto.pro

Congratulations to Ollie Groves & Esther Parkhurst in first place. They took home the Mercedes Benz Belfast RS400 Eurocup and the Noble Marine UK National Champions Trophy. They were closely followed by Robert Espey & Michael Ferguson in second place overall and winning the RS400 Irish Nationals Trophy. In third place were Chris & Rachel Eames from Queen Mary SC. They also collected second Irish as Chris is originally from SLYC. Robert Dixon & Adam Hyland from Howth took third Irish.

Robert Espey and Michael Ferguson - Mercedes Benz Belfast RS400 Eurocup and Noble Marine UK/Irish Nationals - photo © Thomas Anderson / www.sdsphoto.pro

Peter Kennedy from SLYC & RNIYC picked up first Grandmaster and first Master trophies. Paul & Adam Robinson from CSC won first Family trophy. Andrew & Leon Mullally from Killaloe won the Holt Trophy for first Youth Helm and Crew. The Loving Cup (not in top three) was presented to Jacob & Kayleigh Ainsworth from Tynemouth SC. First Lady Crew (not in top three) was presented to Catherine Hide from Tynemouth SC. Finally, Adam Lockhart & TC Mulvenna won the Combined Age of Under 50 trophy.

In Ollie's speech he thanked everyone at RNIYC for an incredible week. He said the hospitality shown to them was second to none, and this sentiment was echoed by the entire fleet.

Running an event like this takes a massive amount of organization, so huge thanks goes to Event Director Gerry Reid and his team, Sally Campbell from the RS Class Association, Frank and his team on Rescue and mark laying, Sarah & Kevin running the slipway, Brick recording the race results, Leigh and her team in the office, the bar and catering teams and all of the other club volunteers and staff. Without the volunteers, we couldn't have had the brilliant racing, shoreside efficiency and warm hospitality that everyone enjoyed this week.

Ollie Groves and Esther Parkhurst flying - Mercedes Benz Belfast RS400 Eurocup and Noble Marine UK/Irish Nationals - photo © Thomas Anderson / www.sdsphoto.pro

Race Officer Sheela Lewis and her team did a brilliant job in extremely testing big conditions, very much appreciated by the sailors.

Both Ollie Groves and Gerry Reid thanked the generous sponsors, Mercedes Benz Belfast, Noble Marine, Ridgeway, Rooster and official chandlery partner of the event, the RS Sailing Store.

Moving a few to tears, Ollie's final emotional thanks were to Esther, who he said, "he was immensely proud of," and, "will soon be my wife!"

A superb event from start to finish, thank you Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club!

Ollie Groves and Esther Parkhurst - Mercedes Benz Belfast RS400 Eurocup and Noble Marine UK/Irish Nationals - photo © Thomas Anderson / www.sdsphoto.pro

Overall Results: