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 | TIAMAT WINS INAUGRAL FRENCH IRC NATIONALS
Article sent by unleash. Posted by Admin
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Bright summer sun, a Scandinavian chill and the normal slight chop familiar to the Baie de Seine encouraged the Race Commitee to increase the number of starts given from early this morning on this final day of racing at Deauville International Week.
The 500 racers have really been put to the test since the start of the week with fog and low-lying cloud colouring the racing. The teams simply relished the four or five races (for the Mumm boats) contended today. In a slightly steadier wind, the leaders in the 7 series managed to consolidate their positions. In this way Deauville crowns a number of recognised champions, of which the most renowned have to be the English sailor Louis Browne (Mumm 30), the Irish sailors Tim Costello & Brendan Foley (IRC 1) and the Brest sailor Patrick Bot (J80). With 8 to 11 races validated per series, Deauville, host for the occasion of the National IRC, the J 109 Euro Cup and the Mumm European Cup, has once again proven its ability to host and organise top level races. Both the French and International racers were absolutely delighted with the event and have already pencilled it into their diaries for next year.
Tiamat had a clean sweep winning every race and discarding a 1st in the 8 race series. This bettered the crews win of the British IRC national championships last year in Cowes where again Tiamat won every race discarding a 2nd. The racing was all windward – leeward courses which very much plays to the boats strengths. A coastal race was attempted but was thrown out under protest when after a heavy fog had fallen and the committee boat failed to be on station at the given GPS coordinates. 5 of the class leaders in IRC 1 were seeking redress and on that basis the international jury threw out the race.
"It was the French we met at Cowes, who encouraged us to come here” explained Brendan Foley, helmsman of Tiamat, the Irish Mills 40, second in last year’s Commodore’s Cup behind the French team. “We knew we had a good boat to sail here with and this confirms that". Fast upwind, Tiamat also adapted itself really well to the light winds from the start of the week. The crew, a close unit some who have been together for over 7 years on all kinds of craft, took great pleasure in coming to sail in Normandy prior to racing in the Irish nationals next week. “The race zone is very interesting and our families have really enjoyed spending time in Deauville whilst we've been sailing."
Crew for the championship were; Navigation – Tim Costello, Tactics – Gerbil Owens, Helm – Brendan Foley, Main – Pierre Kezsler, Up Trim – John White, Down Trim – John Curtin, Grinder – Dave Gould, Pit – Colm O’Buachalla, Mast – Kevin Johnson, Mid bow – Tara Giles, Bow – Malcom Moir, Shore Crew – John Coffey & Biddy Clark
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