| Ireland. Royal Ulster Yacht Club to host Hamilton Shipping Sigma 33 Class Championship |
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| Thursday, 08 June 2006 | |
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Betty Armstrong: Next week twenty one of the top Sigma 33 yachts in the British Isles will gather in Bangor Marina for the Class Championship. This is the first time this prestigious one design sailing championship has come to Northern Ireland and Royal Ulster Yacht Club looks forward to welcoming sailors from the UK, Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Man to Belfast Lough, one of the best sailing areas in the country. Race Officer Robin Gray will be running the racing and the fleet will be based in the Five Anchor Quay Marina – at the foot of Bangor’s Main Street - and Royal Ulster, just a short walk from the Marina, will be the hub of all shore activities, including an attractive social scene. Among the visiting contenders expected to make the running will be Paul Scutt’s Carmen from Helensburgh, Scotland, who took number one slot in last year’s Irish Championship at the same venue. Carmen’s most recent success was first place in the Sigma 33 class at the Bell Lawrie Scottish Series in Tarbert, considered to be the Cowes of the North. Also one to watch will be White Mischief, Tim Goodbody’s hot boat from Dun Laoghaire. She was runner up in the Irish and in the recent Scottish Series and Neil Love and Joe Rielly’s Wardance, also from Dublin Bay. Among the locals expected to give the visitors a run for their money are Ken Green’s Starshine Challenger, Gerry Bell’s Cariad, with ex GP 14 World Champion, Bill Whisker on board, the Scottish/local trio of Sid Brierley, Nigel Hamilton and David Milne racing Blues and Irish Championship Silver fleet winner, Signet, owned by Rob Armstrong. Such is the attraction of the event that Richard and Pauline Donnan’s crew from Spindrift has chartered the Cushendall based Insider and Conal Casey is making the long passage from Lough Swilly for the racing. Another Isle of Man boat, Sorcery, is at present scouring the country for crew, so keen is owner Mike Stanton to be here. Vice Commodore Peter Ronaldson is looking forward to the event. “Royal Ulster has a great deal of experience in organising big sailing events and we’re very pleased to have Hamilton Shipping on board for what will be the major open meeting of the season”. The nine race Hamilton Shipping 2006 Sigma 33 Championship will run from 14th until 17th June. www.ruyc.co.uk www.sigma33.net |
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| Last Updated ( Thursday, 08 June 2006 ) |
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