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Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Carrybridge RNLI’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat Douglas Euan and Kay Richards and rescue water craft
Carrybridge RNLI is looking for new volunteer crew members to join its search and rescue service on Lough Erne. The station, on the River Erne between the upper and lower loughs, is now calling on potential recruits to come forward…
Members of Lagan Search & Rescue
Belfast used to turn its back on the River Lagan. Not anymore writes Betty Armstrong. Within the city much development, both commercial and urban, has taken place around the river – a weir, Belfast Harbour Marina, riverside walks, a new…
Maurice Adams with his trophy haul, including (far right) the Gingles family trophy
A septuagenarian yachtsman has scooped the top award at the recent East Antrim Boat Club prize-giving event, writes Tom Jobling. Maurice Adams, who has Parkinson’s, received the solid silver trophy — presented to EABC by the Gingles family in the…
Doug Smyth OBE
Tributes have been paid to Northern Ireland sailing stalwart Doug Smyth OBE who passed away this summer writes Betty Armstrong. Doug, a member of Carrickfergus Sailing Club and former Chair of The Royal Yachting Association Northern Ireland (RYANI) died on 21…
Bangor's Mikey Ferguson (right) and Ari Huusela
Belfast Lough sailor Mikey Ferguson from Bangor in County Down and his Finnish co-skipper Ari Huusela will this Sunday (27th) start the Transat Jacques Vabre, one of the most spectacular of the world’s ocean races writes Betty Armstrong. The route…
Laser racing at the Ballyholme Yacht Club Icebreaker Series Race Two
Week two of the Ballyholme Yacht Club Icebreaker series on Belfast Lough in Northern Ireland was quite a bit calmer than the first week. One the water at least. The previous night's activities did have an impact on the turn…
The Junior Icebreaker at Ballyholme Yacht Club on Belfast Lough
Adverse weather with strong gusts in the lead up to this week’s racing threatened to spoil the day again for this week’s Charles Hurst Jaguar Land Rover sponsored Junior Icebreaker at Ballyholme Yacht Club on Belfast Lough. Saturday morning however…
GP14s contest a start at July's Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta
The final event of the Irish GP14 year sees the national fleet travel to Lough Erne Yacht Club this weekend. The closing event of 2019 follows Shane MacCarthy & Damien Bracken's emphatic win of August's National Championships at Skerries Sailing Club.…
Supported by three coaches from the RYA Magenta Project, the group sailed from Bangor Marina in six yachts from the Belfast Lough Quarter Ton Class and Sigma Class.
Ballyholme Yacht Club on Belfast Lough has hosted a keelboat coaching event as part of the Magenta Project, with 34 female sailors taking to the water. The Club is just one of five clubs across the UK to become successful in…
There was a turnout of 16 Ruffians, including five visiting boats for the Championships at the DMYC
Belfast Lough Ruffian 23 Carrageen (Trevor Kirkpatrick) from Carrickfergus has successfully defended her national title on Dublin Bay today. A turnout of 16 Ruffians, including six visiting boats, enjoyed boisterous conditions over three days. The Race Management team, led by…
Laser racing at Ballyholme Yacht Club for the National Title
Over 100 sailors competed across 4 days for the Irish Laser Nationals at Ballyholme Yacht Club from 22nd to 25th August 2019.  Nine races were completed in the first 3 days of the championship in moderate to fresh southerly breezes…
The RS400 UK and Irish dinghy National Championships will be held on Belfast Lough
The Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club hosts the RS 400 UK and Irish National Championships on Belfast Lough this weekend. This is the first time this event has been hosted in Ireland waters, and also the first time that…
Co-skippers Ari Huusela (left) and Mikey Ferguson on the former’s IMOCA 60 Ariel2
Bangor sailor Michael Ferguson (36), whose CV includes both dinghy and major offshore racing success, has been signed on to co-skipper the IMOCA 60 Ariel2 (formerly Dee Caffari’s Aviva) in the record 67-boat Transat Jacques Vabre fleet from Le Havre…
John Minnis's Royal Ulster Yacht Club entry, Final Call leads the Beneteau 31.7 scratch fleet at Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta
Frank Heath's local entry Crazy Horse of the Royal Irish YC and Royal St George YC leads the Dublin Bay challenge to overcome the leading visitors in the Beneteau 31.7 scratch fleet at Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta. Heath is only two points off…