(Many thanks to Gareth who loaned me a camera for prize giving when mine had a problem)
1st Overall - McCready's Gill Race Team
Impressive Ulstermen Take Investwise SB3 National Title
The Royal Ulster YC crew of Gareth Flannigan/Brian Spence/Jeremy Tomalin on 'McCreadys Gill Team' were the emphatic winners of the Investwise SB3 National Championship at Howth with a remarkable 17.5 points margin over runner-up 'Yeti' (Sean Craig/Stephen Boyle/Alan Green) of the Royal St.George YC, with early pacemaker 'Sharkbait' (Ben Duncan/Brian Moran/Ric Morris) of HYC a further two points adrift.
The northerners simply got better and better as the series unfolded. After a tentative start with an 8th and a 6th on day one, they strung together an impressive record of three bullets and three seconds, clearly revelling in the strong wind conditions over the weekend.
They arrived in Howth as the pre-event favourites on the back of top class performances at the four regional championships and did not disappoint. Overnight leaders going into the last day, they only had to steer clear of trouble and keep an eye on Craig and Duncan to be sure of overall victory.
Winning the penultimate race (just ahead of Craig and with Duncan back in 17th) effectively sealed the title but the last race threw up the highly unusual result in one-design racing of a tie for line honours with 'Bullet' (Trevor D'Arcy and crew from Carrickfergus), with Duncan salvaging a third after several average results.
Discarding an 8th was a clear indication of the Royal Ulster crew's dominance of the event and the pre-event predictions as to who would be the podium finishers was highly accurate. In addition to the top three, there were four other northern crews and four Dun Laoghaire boats in the top ten.
Duncan was the leading local boat in 3rd overall, although two other Howth crews 'Flying Saucers' (Emma McDonald) and 'Lia' (Dave Barry) filled 11th and 12th places respectively.
David Quinn of sponsors Investwise, who competed himself and finished mid-fleet, was delighted with the event which, with 49 entries, ranks as one of the biggest one-design class championships in the country. Organisation of the championship was headed up by Suzanne Carroll and her committee.
Investwise SB3 National Championship - overall result - Top 6
