CSC IRC, PY & One-Design Keelboat Championships 2023 (Day 1)

Originally intended as the CSC J24 Championships, this weekend’s annual keelboat championships has slowly evolved into a more inclusive event, allowing for IRC, PY & Platu Classes to participate as well. We welcome our friends from Singapore Management University Sailing Club (SMUSC) and Republic of Singapore Yacht Club (RSYC), as they support the event with 4 teams and 2 teams respectively. Defending J24, Platu and IRC champions Jellico, SMUMad and Born in Fire have returned to defend their title, but face stiff competition from both new and old challengers.

The weather forecast was for a light but consistent breeze from the South-west. It however did not materialise, as an easterly wind settled in, leaving the race committee to set a windward-leeward course perpendicular to Chek Jawa. The wind eventually shifted to the south later in the afternoon, prompting a course shift in Race 3. Coupled with the gusty downdraft from landing airplanes, sailors were treated to tricky conditions in Day 1.

Emerging on top with 3 bullets from 3 races was defending J24 champion, Jellico. The scoreline however did not do Balqis and Shengli justice, as both challengers had taken turns to lead during Race 2. Skipper Cedric and his team were definitely made to work extra hard for their victories, and will be looking to consolidate their position on Day 2. The rest of the J24 Class trailed the leaders by a fair bit, mostly due to the lack of training and introduction of new crew. Nevertheless, great effort, and we shall expect to see renewed vigour and plenty of action around the marks for the remaining 3 races.

In the Platu Class, Notus completes Day 1 with 4 points, scoring wins in Races 1 and 3. Defending Champions SMUMad were off to a shaky start, only managing to steal a bullet in Race 2, amassing a total of 6 points to trail by 2. In 3rd place, a commendable effort by SMUSC President Patrick and Crew, steadily improving on every race, closing the gap between SMUve and the 2 leaders, reducing their deficit to only 4 minutes in race 3. Considering this is their first major regatta, a great result for the team.

The IRC Class see the return of the X99 Born in Fire. Skipper Thomas and crew have been out of action for the past 4 months, mainly due to extensive repair and maintenance works. The lack of training seemed evident from the results, as they struggled to keep pace with leaders Waka Tere. The Nelson 10 enters Day 2 with 3 points, and look on track to claim this year’s IRC Title. Silhouette have been posting steady gains, but require further finesse from their technical maneuvers to sail to their handicap.

New entries Birregurra, Remington and Nevis make up the PY fleet, a refreshing addition to this event. The Catalina 23 claimed first blood, taking Race 1 on corrected time. Nevis however struggled to keep pace with the S&S 42, as Remington took Races 2 and 3 to sit on top with 4 points. Birregurra are however not to be written off, as she completed Race 3 with a 2nd position, ending Day 1 just 2 points behind Nevis.

We look forward to the remaining 3 races on Day 2 – good luck to all participants!

Results

Day1_KeelboatIRCPYODChampionships_Results2023