Dinghy Regatta 2011 ....at Last !!

With chief forecaster Tim Gibbons predicting too much wind it was not looking good for the third attempt at the 2011 Regatta. But the offshore breeze gave a false enough impression of a lovely day so 19 boats launched under the command of Mick McCann and Chris O’Hare.

When the fleet reached the committee boat it became apparent that Gibbons knows a thing or two about the wind as it gusted to force 5 on occasions with lots of shifts.

Race one saw Henry Mc Laughlin Junior take advantage of a big port end bias and lead the race from start to finish. The McLaughlin seniors chased hard from start to finish but had to settle for second with Richard Cranley in third.

Race two started well for the McLaughlin seniors with a good lead established at the first gybe mark, but in a vicious gust all was lost and an early swim was the order of the day. Paul McParland was sailing brilliantly and was second at the windward mark but had to settle for third place behind the Cranley brothers and Henry McLaughlin Junior.

Race three was another bullet for McLaughlin Junior with the Cranley brothers taking second and Richard Cranley third.

Dara O’Connor took the prize for first lady in the A’Fleet.

In the B Fleet Conor O’Farrell cleaned up with three bullets, Hannah Byrne was close behind with three seconds and up and coming 4.7 sailor Matthew Collins with three thirds.

Connla Conway, Joe Byrne and Michael O’Farrell were kept busy in rescue boats all day with at least 30 capsizes. Connla performed a dramatic rescue, leaping from his RIB to help Liz McLaughlin who had abandoned ship unexpectedly.

Remember the Annual Dinner on Saturday 12th November. Contact Siobhan or Liz for tickets. Also please note the AGM will be held after sailing on Sunday 20th November. This is to try and encourage a better attendance than usual, so please note this date in your diary.