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ISA Yachtsman Euromarine Rib Championship 2008

When the ISA Yachtsman Euromarine Rib Championship 2008 was launched at the Boat Show last spring the Final in October seemed in the distant future. This championship was a new concept and nobody knew how it would progress or be received by the ISA clubs and training centres. No need to worry, during a busy summer four regional finals were held and the top teams selected for the National Final. Teams came from the four corners of Ireland for the National Final.
Lough Derg Yacht Club in Dromineer, Co Tipperary provided the final with a wonderful venue and the hospitality could not be beaten.
So onto the Final.
We had 12 teams all wanting to take ownership of the ISA Yachtsman Euromarine Rib. With a Rib at stake the final was not going to be a walk in the park for any team. What faced the teams was a competition that would challenge all their combined skills and nautical knowledge.
First up was the group stages where all teams not only faced the teams in their group but 4 competitions that would show them just how much they knew about power boating. With three teams in each group and one to qualify to the final in head to head competition the pace was sure to be explosive.
The four tests were a boat handling challenge, a boat trailer handling competition, a mechanical test where a boat and engine had to be got ready for sea, and finally a theory test with chart work. As the competition progressed the tension was rising and with the end of the group competitions, the following four teams progressed to the semi finals Wexford Harbour Boat & Tennis Club A, Galway Bay Sailing Club, Courtown Sailing Club and Wexford Harbour Boat & Tennis Club B.
It was noticed at this stage that out of the 4 finalists that 3 teams came from the sunny south east but the Galway team were not going to let the boat go east if they had anything to do with it. The team skills were pushed to the limit. It was all very close and with the crowd cheering on their team Wexford Harbour A and Galway Bay qualified through to the final.
After a long day it all came down to the final test where one team would go home with the ISA Yachtsman Euromarine RIB.
The final test would need teamwork and energy. After a running start, one team member had to hand over their Club Burgee to the waiting crew of two on the rib. Once the burgee was received the two crew members set out on a challenging boat handling course and once over came alongside a jetty to hand over the club burgee to the final team member. The final member then had to sprint to the Flagpole and hoist the burgee to the top. Sounds simple but this test was against the clock. Pressure was not just high but explosive.
After an enthralling and exciting race there could be only one winner.
Inside the crowd and ISA President Peter Crowley and Yachtsman Euromarine owner Matt McGrory were waiting to hand out the prizes. But to who? Then came the announcements.
In second place was Galway Bay Sailing Club, gallant runners up who had pushed the winning Team to the very end.
And with a great cheer and lots of smiles Wexford Harbour Boat & Tennis Club A Team were the overall winners of the ISA Yachtsman Euromarine Championship 2008.
The ISA President in his speech talked about how this competition will benefit the skills of all powerboat users throughout the country. He also thanked Lough Derg Yacht Club for hosting the competition and finally he thanked Yachtsman Euromarine for backing the championship and hoped this year’s competition was just the first a series of ISA Yachtsman Euromarine Rib Championships.