A Successful Inaugural Fastnet Trophy
More than 100 young sailors descended on West Cork last weekend for the inaugural Fastnet Trophy, which was organised by Schull Community College Sailing Club in conjunction with Irish Sailing and hosted by the Fastnet Marine Outdoor Education Centre. With teams traveling from as far afield as Cape Cod, Massachusetts and Suffolk in England, the event marks a new highlight in the youth team racing calendar.
The Schools National Team Racing Championships were incorporated into the event under the auspices of the Irish Team Racing Association which added greatly to the sense of occasion on what was a hugely successful weekend.
After two windy, action-packed days on the water, the RHS Blue team from the Royal Hospital School in Suffolk emerged victorious, claiming the Fastnet Trophy in impressive fashion. Local teams Schull Sharks and Schull Seals sailed their way to second and third places respectively, ensuring strong home representation on the Fastnet Trophy podium and clinching the national team racing title in the process. This is the second consecutive year that Schull Sharks have claimed the National team racing title for the Mizen school. The SCC team consisted of Ryan O’Driscoll , Lucy Copithorne, Daniel Copithorne, Heidi Hogan, Dylan O’Driscoll and Aidan O’Reilly. Schull Seals, the Munster champions, came a close second. St Andrews College were the winners of the Silver Fleet with Crosshaven and Bandon Baddies claiming second and third in this fleet.
Despite very blustery conditions on Friday, the event got off to a flying start with a remarkable 120 races completed by sundown. Each team completed 15 races on Friday alone, showcasing the smooth running of the event and the stamina of the teams involved. Saturday's racing was called off due to strong winds, but spirits remained high as sailors, coaches, and supporters gathered for a dinner hosted at Schull Community College. Conditions eased enough on Sunday for racing to resume, and another 56 races were completed in competitive style.
With its stunning setting in Schull harbour, top-tier competitors, and international flavour, the Fastnet Trophy is already being hailed as a standout fixture in youth sailing.