Local sailors, Robert Espey and Michael Gunning, got the 2013 RS Season off to a successful start, securing a win at the 2013 RS Irish Eastern Championships, held at the Royal St George Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire, Dublin.

Finishing first on 7 points, a cool 2 points clear of last year’s event winners, the Ryan brothers, the Ballyholme duo have certainly made a lasting impression for the season ahead. Despite the difficult conditions on Saturday, which saw dying and shifting breeze, the boys managed to return to the club as overnight leaders eagerly awaiting Sunday's forecast of heavy breeze.

James Espey from Ballyholme Yacht Club currently leads the last leg of the ISAF World Cup at Hyères having won the first race against the best on the world including Olympic champion Robert Scheidt from Brazil.

James has just started with a new coach in his bid to qualify for his second Olympics at Rio in 2016 (he also sailed the Laser at London 2012), and all the new hard work already seems to be paying off.

Ballyholme YC will be hosting the WPFG Sailing Championship this August in Laser dinghies.

We already have enquiries from the USA and Australia and entries are in double figures. Charter boats are available via McCready Sailboats. The information sheet, event poster and Notice of Race are now available at www.ballyholme.com/events.

Bangor town is steeped in maritime history and we hope this ‘invasion’ of kayaks will add a bit of colour to the annual festivities.The entry fee is only £25 per kayak and includes a T-Shirt and the BBQ after the race.

Robbie Gilmore from Strangford Lough has reigned supreme at the 2013 ISA (Irish Sailing Association) Youth National Championships on Lough Derg in Tipperary. Gilmore sailed masterfully throughout the four day, 11 race regatta to beat last year's champion Finn Lynch to the gold in the 44 boat Laser Radial fleet. Never relinquishing the top spot on the podium he has deservedly earned the title of Ireland's best youth Laser sailor.