The event, which was held at Rutland Sailing Club, returned from 30 April to 2 May after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
Over 300 aspiring young sailors took to the water for the racing, with dry weather and light winds ensuring a sociable event – although challenging for the race committee.
A single race took place on Saturday and Daniel Palmer from Ballyholme Yacht Club achieved a 12th in the 54 boat ILCA 4 fleet. On the Topper course Bobby Driscoll scored a 7th place.
In a bid to catch up on racing, the event started slightly earlier on Sunday with four races taking place. With shifting, patchy breeze, consistency and smart considerate sailing was prove key.
Daniel Palmer scored a 47th in Race 3 but with solid results in the other races and a discard he sat in 4th Overall for the day.
There was similar success in the Toppers with the majority of NI sailors making the cut for Gold fleet overnight into the final day of racing.
On Sunday, competitors were greeted by a mill pond where glass flat water with no wind all day. By midday the decision was made that racing was abandoned for the day and so the results for the final series were as they stood.
RYA Northern Ireland’s Performance Manager, Andrew Baker, commented: “Being a smaller nation, both geographically and in the number of young sailors, racing in big fleets can be a daunting prospect and a tactical challenge.
“This is the perfect environment to learn to become comfortable racing in large championship events. Having worked with the sailors throughout the event, it is great to see their confidence and curiosity grow as they were met with new scenarios on the racecourse. I am looking forward to seeing what they achieve in the weeks and months ahead.”
Since the first event in 1986, thousands of young sailors have taken part in the Eric Twiname Regatta over the years, including Olympians past and present.
Named in memory of legendary sailor, author and journalist Eric Twiname, the Regatta is regarded by many young racers as a rite of passage as they continue their pathway into high level youth events.
Full results can found here
