The Taggarts Icebreaker 2025/2026 Series 1

12 hours ago

Last Sunday’s Topper Traveller event at Skerries Sailing Club saw fantastic sailing conditions and even more impressive performances from our BYC sailors, who took home prizes in both the 5.3 and 4.2 fleets!

In addition to the Traveller event, the overall Topper Championship Series prizes were also awarded and BYC made a big splash there too!

A huge congratulations to Emma West-Hurst, who was crowned 1st Junior Girl Overall in the 5.3 fleet! In a strong performance, Caroline Byrne finished as 2nd Junior Girl Overall. In the boys' category, Leo West-Hurst secured an excellent 2nd Male Overall, rounding out BYC’s impressive results. In the 4.2 fleet, Rory McGovern sailed a fantastic series to finish 1st male overall!

A big well done to all our sailors who competed!

#BYCSailing #TopperTraveller #JuniorSailing #TopperSailing ... See MoreSee Less

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Fabulous results! Well done everyone. A great end to the season 🙌👏

🙌🏻🙌🏻

1 week ago

RS Fevas from all over Ireland travelled to Cushendall Sailing & Boating Club this weekend for the RS Feva Northerns 2025. What a weekend for our BYC Sailors! Over half the fleet travelled from BYC – tents and campervans providing overnight accommodation for the 2 day event.

Forecasts for the event were for very strong wind and a weather warning for rain. However the Race Committee managed 4 races on Saturday and a further 2 on Sunday. As per Sis. Of particular mention was the Race Officer’s ability to pack in the racing, with only minutes between races. This was appreciated by the young sailors, who then kept warm and had the strength and stamina to compete in the demanding conditions. and there was a lot of sunshine to go with it.

Conditions for the sailors were demanding with strong shifting winds rolling off the headland, some tide, with a good bit of chop and swell. Including metre high waves on Sunday. However, the young sailors were more than up to the conditions, and the strong northerly winds provided a good bit of high-speed planing that is so much fun in the RS Feva with asymmetric spinnaker.

The Fleet also welcomed some Topper stars – Leo & Ben who took 3rd place, proving how transferable Topper skills are to the Feva. Leo arrived on Saturday morning the proud winner of the BYC Corinthian Cup along with his sister Emma.

Cushendall S&B Club was a perfect host – catering for everyone with delicious hot food each day. During racing the spectators had the perfect view from the stunning Clubhouse – warmed by the roaring open fire! Event Sponsors, Glens of Antrim Crisps provided snacks for the sailors throughout the weekend. A huge thanks to them! A weekend to remember for both sailors and parents, on and off the water!

The RS Feva fleet is growing steadily throughout NI – lead by BYC and this was the perfect end to a great season. Hopefully next year will see more travellers to the RS Feva events.

Keep an eye on Facebook for further RS Feva training opportunities for our Cadets.

Prizes:-
1st Emily & Annabel Ridout (BYC)
2nd Jessica Dadley-Young & Sally Nixon (BYC)
3rd Leo West-Hurst (BYC) & Ben McAldin (Lough Erne YC).
Family – 1st Matt & Peter Ridout

Cushendall Sailing and Boating Club
RYA Northern Ireland

Link to full results:-
www.sailwave.com/results/RSFevaNorthernsCushendall2025.htm ... See MoreSee Less

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I only raced in Cushendall once and what a great venue. Always a fantastic welcome, and who else gets a “Glens of Antrim crisps company” to sponsor a youth event!🤩 Well done to the Club, the Feva class and the BYC sailors 👏🏅

Fab weekend, well done Cushendall S&C Club for getting the races in and an amazing introductory event for Leo & Ben. They will definitely be looking out for next years Feva calendar 👏

A brilliant weekend and some amazing sailing! Well done everyone 👏👏🎉🎉

Are you having a haLLoween party this year

1 week ago

Corinthian Cup Madness!
We made the most of a perfect weather window on Friday evening for the long awaited Corinthian race. Cadets of all ages teamed up in toppers and headed to the beach, ready for the biggest race of the year with the Corinthian Cup up for grabs.
The race started with a sprint to fetch a plastic ball before joining the helms who were ready and waiting with the boats. The 3 challenges were to sail backwards, capsize (no dry capsizing allowed!) and a man overboard drill. You could only finish on BYC slip if you still had your crew and your plastic ball on board! The winners of the 2025 Corinthian Cup were Emma and Leo West-Hurst.
Back ashore, hotdogs were waiting to warm everyone up and wrap up a brilliant evening and a great summer season. Thanks to all the volunteers who made it possible. ... See MoreSee Less

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One of my favourite races. Never won it, but watched/supervised/organised over the last 56 years🤣 Well done to the old family members - THE WESTHURSTS 👏👏👏👏👏

Thank you to all the volunteers for managing to fit this in a very small window this year. Great to see so many boats on the water for it 👏👏

Brilliant!

Great 🏁

1 week ago

NEW Youth Series Icebreaker – 2025/26 Series 1

The 29er/200’s YIB will have its own course and is open to under 23’s and parent and child combo’s. Organise a boat and join us for some great racing!

🗓️ Dates: Saturdays from 4th October to 6th December
🕝 Time: 13:30 – 16:00
⛵ Please be rigged and ready by 14:00 – first race starts at 14:25
Entry Options:

Separate course from JIB, youth, parent and child welcome.

Icebreaker will run across 10 Saturdays from 4th October to 6th December
13:30 – 16:00

TIMINGS FOR SAILING:

Rigged and ready to Launch 2:00 — First gun at 2:25.

Option 1 – BYC Member – £45 per boat
Option 2 – Visitor – £60 per boat

Whether you're racing competitively or developing your skills in the double handed pathway, the youth Icebreaker is a great way to stay on the water, meet friends, and build skills over the autumn months.

Numbers are limited, so early sign-up is encouraged.

Book here - ballyholme.com/events/taggarts-junior-icebreaker-2025-26-series-1/
We look forward to seeing you on the water!

#YouthIcebreaker #BYCJIB2025 #YouthSailing #BallyholmeYC ... See MoreSee Less

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2 weeks ago

❄️ The Taggarts Icebreaker 2025/2026 – Series 1
We're looking forward to welcoming sailors back for another season of great winter racing at Ballyholme Yacht Club.

Series 1 starts on Sunday 5th October 2025
Entries close: Friday 3rd October 2025
First warning signal each Sunday: 14:24

Entry Fees – Series 1
For Members:
£35 – Single-handed
£45 – Double-handed (only the helm needs to register)

For Visitors:
£60 – Single-handed
£85 – Double-handed (only the helm needs to register)

Whether you're a regular on the start line or new to the Icebreaker series, this is a great opportunity to keep sailing through the autumn and winter in a friendly, competitive fleet.

Please register before 3rd October to take part in Series 1.

Book here - ballyholme.com/events/the-taggarts-icebreaker-2025-2026-series-1-2/

#taggartsicebreaker #winterracing #ballyholmeyc #icebreaker2025 ... See MoreSee Less

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