The EDMYC have organised, the first of what is hoped to be an annual, Celtic Challenge.
To be held on Lough Money, nr Downpatrick, on the weekend of 2/3 November 2013.
Strong Entry List For The
2013 Cat Sails IOM Ulster Championships (incorporating the Celtic Challenge Cup)
"On
Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd of November East Down Yacht Club will host the
second IOM Ulster Championships in Northern Ireland with a marked increase in
expected entries over last year's event.
To date (14th
of October) 19 skippers have confirmed they will compete, representing clubs
from as far afield as Buchaness and Aberdeen, Howth and Lough Erne. The depth
of talent already entered should ensure last year's winner Pat Johnston of
Greenock MY & PBC, has a real task on his hands in returning to defend his
title.
The
Venue:
On
the advice of some of last year's more experienced Scottish competing
skippers a new venue for the event has
been chosen. The 2013's Championships
will be held off site at Lough Money, a disused reservoir situated just a short
distance outside the town of Downpatrick, 7 miles from the club; and it could
prove a challenging venue for even the most experienced of competing skippers.
Lough Money is over a mile long and almost
half a mile across at its widest point, and has the luxury of crystal clear
waters with a large, weed-free race area.
What
could make it a challenge for the competing skippers? The topography. A steep hill, rising to over 100 metres is
situated right on the bank of its Western shore in the lower body of the Lough
where the race area is sited. ts
height, steep gradient and immediate proximity to the shore means this hill
greatly affects prevailing winds, which predominantly blow from South West to Westerly
in direction, although can at times veer to North West.The steep hill causes prevailing winds to
bend sharply around it, resulting in the altered wind flowing roughly in either
a North-South or South-North direction and along the length of this part of the
Lough.The effects of this natural
phenomenon produce a continuously shifting and difficult to read series of disturbed
and pulsing wind patterns, which can be particularly prevalent at windward marks
and leeward gates if in fact we do have a North-South or South-North wind flow
over the race area.This
flow can also often suffer from significant and unpredictable holes in pressure. Allied to this and particularly
if prevailing breeze is strong, is the presence of katabatic gusts. These gusts
drop like 'wind bombs', often taking skippers totally by surprise.
Any of the Scottish or
Irish entrants who might have previously raced big boats in the Scottish Series
on Loch Fyne should have a fair idea of what to expect. But if the wind gods
provide breeze from any other points on the compass, then this disturbed air
feature should be absent.
Team
Racing: Over the course of the 2 days of racing a team element is included, as competing
skippers will also be representing their respective countries in the battle for
the Celtic Challenge Cup.
The Social
Side: For participants arriving
on the Friday evening a social gathering with dinner is planned at http://www.denvirs.com/ in the near-by town of Downpatrick.
On the Saturday evening and early Sunday afternoon of the event a dinner and
prize-giving lunch are also planned at http://www.paddysbarn.com/, close to the venue.
Additional
entries:
For guidance and advice with accommodation, directions to the venue, and
general enquiries for additional entrants, please contact the event secretary
via the MYA's Events and On Line entry page: http://www.mya-uk-members.org.uk/events/event_details.asp?id=1148"
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