Andrew Craig had been a leading competitor in the Dragon class in for many years. As well as competing in the championship circuit in Ireland, "Chimaera" has represented Ireland overseas at many European and World Championship events. It was in Hobart, in 2003, whilst coaching the Irish Mirror team at the Worlds there, that I first met Andrew who was racing at that time with the late Graham Elmes and Klaus Hoj-Jensen.
Over the past decade or so, occasionally, one of his trusted teammates Mark Pettit or Brian "Matty" Mathews were unavailable for the odd event so I was fortunate enough to stand at various times in Dublin Bay, Glandore, Belfast Lough and Cowes in the UK. His Dragon "Chimaera" was powered by North Sails' world championship-winning one-design sails, so, when he made the switch to the J109 class in late 2016 for the new "Chimaera", we were delighted to continue our involvement with Andrew and his great team.
Once the switch to North Sails had been made on the J109, the results started coming FAST.............
"Chimaera" flying her 3Di RAW mainsail and Code 1 jib Photo: Maurice O'Connell / North Sails Ireland
In the one-design J109 fleet, two podium finishes at the 2017 and 2018 National Championships in Howth and Dublin Bay were achieved. Then in 2019, under IRC, "Chimaera" won her class and "Boat Of the Week" at the 2019 Scottish series. During this year's truncated season, she also won the National YC 150th centenary regatta in August.
North Sails powers "Chimaera" using 3Di RAW 780 upwind sails and downwind she flies asymmetric spinnakers manufactured in Contender A GRADE Superkote.
To read more about the "Chimaera" success story, click here.
