Last weekend the IDRA14 fleet returned for their annual pilgrimage. It was a two day event and for the Saturday races Kieran Cranley was in charge with Terry Rafferty and Philip O’Connor on rescue. Because of a bad forecast for the following day Kieran squeezed in three races including the popular race to Warrenpoint. That night in true IDRA fashion a great BBQ was run by Caitriona O’Farrell and Joan MacAdorey despite the rain. Disaster stuck that night with winds so strong that the tents of many visitors took flight and they had to retreat to the Club house for shelter. Morning brought lighter winds but no sun, and Michael O’Farrell arrived to officiate a further two races in shifty offshore winds which tried the sailors to their limits. Alan Carr and Dan Gilroy from Sutton YC came out on top with two firsts and two seconds.
Wednesday Racing
The Ulster Savings trophy was contested last Wednesday and was run the old fashioned way with a battery start. Unfortunately the battery was flat and Brian McCann had to resort to shouting. The race itself was very close with Kieran and Brian Cranley, McLaughlins Junior and Senior and Rooney/McDonagh all fighting for first. It looked like McLaughlin the elders had it the bag until the very last leeward mark allowed junior to show his disrespect for his elders as he stole through on the inside putting them into such a spin that they lost not only 1st but 2nd place as well to arch rivals Rooney/McDonagh.
Sunday Racing
A great fleet of 20 boats turned out to compete alongside the IDRA14s in shifty and gusty winds that made for very testing sailing. Race 1 turned out to be an epic at over an hour. Calamity struck early for Rafferty/McKevitt as their boom fell off striking Rafferty on the head. This had the unexpected effect of making him sail a lot better. McKevitt will be carrying a big stick on board in future! The race was won by Henry McLaughlin Junior with Jim Linton having to settle for third after a long battle with the Senior McLaughlins.
Race 2 was considerably shorter but with huge holes in the wind waiting for the unwary, there was a lot of tussling for the lower placings. Kieran Cranley who had against his better judgement given Tim MacAdorey another try out, found himself stopped suspiciously close to a lobster pot. The race was another walkover for Henry McLaughlin Junior with Helen McParland sailing a stormer in the Radial to take third. The B Fleet saw Conor O’Farrell and Conor Quinn take a bullet each. Rachel McKay and Stephen Finnegan took a second each and Matthew McNulty showed great form to take his best result this season with a third.
Sailing courses are filling up quickly so get your application forms in and remember the Orr Trophy takes place on Tuesday nights at 7pm.
Alan Carr and Dan Gilroy winning race 1 of the IDRA Northern Championship
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