Patriots' Cup Report

ROYAL ALFRED YACHT CLUB PATRIOTS CUP 2009 , RIYC Sep 5&6

This years Patriots Cup Invitation Team Racing event was sailed in 1720's from the Royal Irish Yacht Club. The Royal Thames was represented on two teams with David Newey on the UK South Coast Sigma Association Team and Judith Sasse on the local Lough Derg YC team.  Other teams were fielded from The Royal Alfred YC, The Royal Irish YC, and The Royal George YC.  The race committee did well to fit in 3 round robins  over the 2 days, with shifty winds gusting above 25kts,  even whilst in the shelter of  the Harbour Wall, on Saturday and then heavy rain squalls on Sunday! The weather did however help to wash away any delicate heads resulting from charming Irish hospitality in the form of a superb Saturday evening dinner hosted at The Royal Irish YC.

Whilst Judith, being German and on her first trip to Ireland, was introduced by her team to the more colourful side of the English (Irish) Language, many words cannot be repeated here!  David meanwhile was helming steadily towards victory as his team showed precision in only dropping one match (11 wins -1 loss) over the weekend . The winners from last year, The Royal Alfred YC (6-6), lost their chance of running The Sigma's close by loosing the last two matches of the round robin on Sunday. Tthis gave RStGYC (7-5) the runner up slot. Only one win divided 2nd to 4th with Lough Dergs (6-6) and Judith going down on the tie break with the Alfred.

David and Judith can report back that the Irish Hospitality was first class.  With regular flights from all the London airports and a quick transfer to Dun Laoghaire from Dublin airport it was possible to leave work at 1730 on Friday and be enjoying a pint of Guinness just after 2200!  Many thanks to the Royal Irish YC for hosting the event and all at The Royal Alfred YC involved in making the event a success. Hopefully there can be a full RTYC team for the event next year.

Final Results

1st South Coast Sigma's, Matt Greenfield & David Newey (RTYC), 11-1
2nd Royal St. George Y.C, Sam Hunt and Marty O'Leary, 7-5
3rd Royal Alfred Y.C, Tim Goodbody Sr & John Sheehy, 6-6
4th Lough Dergs Y.C, Stefan Hyde & Peter Bayly, 6-6 (Including Judith Sasse from RTYC)
5th Royal Irish Y.C, 0-12