Royal Yorkshire Yacht Club’s Catapult Northern Championship: A Premier Sailing Event
Catapult Northern Championship at the Royal Yorkshire Yacht Club
10-11 August 2024
Eamonn Cotter emerged as the Northern Champion, narrowly winning by just one point over George Evans in an exhilarating Championship held at the Royal Yorkshire Yacht Club in Bridlington over the weekend.
Race 1
The racing commenced in brisk conditions, with winds between Force 3 to 5. A triangular course that included a bottom gate provided tactical opportunities for the sailors. Mike Gough, leveraging his height and weight, secured a strong start and quickly pulled ahead. Eamonn Cotter, despite being lighter, skillfully maneuvered and overtook Stuart Ede to chase down Mike. In the end, Mike took first place, followed by Eamonn and Stuart in third.
Race 2
An unexpected shift in wind direction turned the second race into a close drag race, with Stuart leading initially followed closely by George. However, Mike and Eamonn skillfully sailed over them, capitalizing on a timely gust of wind. Eamonn ultimately overtook Mike, finishing with George taking third after accurately gauging the lay line.
Race 3
In this race, Mike and Eamonn rounded the windward mark ahead of Stuart and George. Through strategic trapezing, Eamonn overcame Mike and established a substantial lead. Meanwhile, George closed the gap on Mike, finishing just ahead.
Race 4
Conditions lightened on Sunday, leading to a brief postponement before the fourth race commenced in winds that gradually strengthened. George showed remarkable upwind performance, creating a 50-second lead and maintaining it for the win. Stuart worked hard to secure third place ahead of Mike.
Race 5
George again led early in the race, but Eamonn’s ability to utilize the increasing breeze tightened the competition. Ultimately, George managed to hold onto the lead, winning the race by a narrow margin.
Race 6
As winds increased to the top end of Force 3, Eamonn took an immediate lead at the first windward mark, showcasing impressive performance. The competition spread out considerably, with Eamonn finishing with a solid 2¼ minute lead over George.
Northern Championship Results:
Eamonn’s impressive performance secured him the title of Northern Champion, edging out George by a single point. Mike finished third, despite skipping the last race.
| Pos | Helm | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eamonn Cotter | ‑2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
| 2 | George Evans | ‑4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 |
| 3 | Mike Gough | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | (DNC) | 14 |
| 4 | Stuart Ede | 3 | ‑4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 17 |
| 5 | Chris Upton | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNF | 5 | 4 | 33 |
| 6 | Damien Cooney | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNF | 6 | DNC | 38 |
| 7 | Syd Gage | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | 40 |
Alastair Forrest Personal Handicap Series Results:
The Catapult Class Association also hosted a Personal Handicap Series alongside the Championship. Remarkably, the finishing order mirrored the on-the-water results, with Eamonn clinching the Lilac Pennant for his win on handicap. Other notable performances included Damien Cooney winning Race 5 and Chris Upton finishing second in Race 6.
| Pos | Helm | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eamonn Cotter | 2 | 1 | 1 | ‑3 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
| 2 | George Evans | ‑4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 11 |
| 3 | Mike Gough | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | (DNC) | 16 |
| 4 | Stuart Ede | 3 | ‑4 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 17 |
| 5 | Chris Upton | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNF | 6 | 2 | 32 |
| 6 | Damien Cooney | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNF | 1 | DNC | 33 |
| 7 | Syd Gage | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | 40 |
Oliver Hayes, a seasoned sailor and marine journalist from Southampton, has a profound love for the sea that has shaped his career. Holding a degree in Marine Journalism from the University of Portsmouth, Oliver is celebrated for his compelling and insightful storytelling. His work vividly captures the excitement of sailing and the rich maritime heritage of the United Kingdom, making him a respected figure in the sailing community. When not writing, Oliver enjoys exploring the British Isles’ diverse coastlines and participating in local regattas, always on the lookout for his next nautical adventure.