Boats are beginning to arrive at the Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club (RNIYC) for the highly anticipated Mercedes-Benz Belfast RS400 Eurocup and UK/Irish National Championships.
Practice racing and coaching are scheduled for Sunday, with official championship racing running from Monday, August 4th through Friday, August 8th. This is the second time RNIYC has hosted the event, the last occasion being in 2019 – coincidentally, also the same week as another major event on these shores, The Open Championship.
Key Competitors to Watch
Travelling from England, Jacob and Kayleigh Ainsworth are well-known names in the RS400 fleet. Regularly dominating events in Tynemouth, they’re aiming for a top five finish here in Belfast.
Also making the trip are Ollie Groves and Ester Parkhurst from Beverley Sailing Club. Ollie is a true RS stalwart, progressing through the RS200s and RS300s before finding success in the RS400s, recently winning the RS400 Northern Tour. With Ester at his side, the pair are gunning for some championship glassware.
Christopher Eames, originally from Northern Ireland and now based at Queen Mary SC, teams up with Rachel Tilly. Known for their pace and style, they’re sailing a newly rigged boat and are expected to be at the front of the fleet. In an intriguing family face-off, Christopher will be racing against his father Niall Eames, a duel sure to be closely followed.
Irish Contenders
From Howth YC, Olympian Rob Dixon and his crew Adam Hyland have shown real potential, particularly in the RS400 Winter Series where they impressed in limited appearances. They are serious top-five contenders.
Joining them are Chris Helme and Alan Claffey from Blessington SC, fresh from winning the RS Inlands and currently in top form. Expect them to be in the mix throughout the week.
Local Heroes
On home waters, local favourites include Ross Kearney, a former Mirror World Champion, and his experienced crew Andrew Vaughan. With a new boat and high expectations, they’re one of the top local hopes.
Another strong local entry features Olympian Peter Kennedy and his crew Stephen Kane, boasting immense RS400 experience, including three Winter Series victories. They’ll be locking horns with last year’s Winter Series winners, Bob Espey and Michael Ferguson, in what promises to be a thrilling home fleet showdown.
Conditions and Coverage
The long-range weather forecast suggests spicy conditions on Monday and Tuesday, with more stable championship conditions expected through the rest of the week—ideal for tight, tactical racing.
Racing kicks off on the Cultra coast, Belfast Lough, on Monday morning.
