Eastern Glory for HYC Members at 1720's

30 September 2025
Eastern Glory for HYC Members at 1720's
 
 
Julian Hughes and his crew on Root 1 claimed the 1720 Eastern Championship title at the Royal Ulster Yacht Club over the weekend, delivering consistent top-three finishes across five races. Shane Hughes, Mikey Fergusson (Chunky), and HYC members Matthew Cotter and Cuan Whelan were part of the victorious team.
 
Close HYC Competition for the Podium
Robert Dix on LemonCello finished just one point behind in second place, while national champion Ross McDonald’s Rope Dock Atara completed the podium in third. Fourth went to El Diablo, helmed by Ben Scallan, with Andrew G. Boyle’s No Show finishing fifth after a strong final race.
 
 
 
Day 1 – Heavy Winds and Action-Packed Racing
The championship got off to a challenging start, with winds averaging 20–23 knots and gusts approaching 30 knots. Despite heavy rain, three competitive races were completed.
 
Ben Scallan took Race 1, followed by Atara and Root 1. Race 2 saw twists for the top boats: Root 1 led early but a spinnaker mishap allowed Atara and LemonCello to move ahead. After a short break to repair their spinnaker, Root 1 won Race 3, finishing Day 1 in first overall.
 
Day 2 – Light Winds and Tactical Battles
Sunday brought lighter conditions, with a gentle breeze of 5–8 knots dying off by lunchtime. The day’s racing was tactically demanding, with shifting puffs and lulls impacting positions.
 
Root 1 and Atara battled closely in Race 4, while LemonCello executed a perfect strategy in the final race to move up the fleet. Confusion at the finish line in Race 5 led to a collision between Root 1 and No Show, with No Show lodging a protest. After the hearing, the protest was dismissed, confirming Root 1’s overall victory.
 
 
Final Results
1st: Julian Hughes – Root 1
2nd: Robert Dix – LemonCello
3rd: Ross McDonald – Rope Dock Atara (also awarded the Joe English Trophy for best boat of the season)
 
The event attracted 11 entries and completed five races over two days, with a single discard applied under Appendix A scoring. HYC members shone throughout, showcasing skill and consistency in challenging conditions, from heavy winds and rain to light, tactical breezes.
 
Race Officer Sheela Lewis ensured all races ran smoothly, delivering a thrilling championship for competitors and spectators alike.
 
Race Report: Matthew Cotter