CLYC take Two Top Spots at NI Championships

The club fielded a top squad at this year's zones and the results were fantastic. Club Coach Chris O'Hare said he was "delighted" to hear the exploits of his junior squad, which included Conor O'Farrell with 6 bullets in 6 races to claim the Laser 4.7 title, and if that wasn't enough, Paul McParland repeated this feat to take the Laser Standard title. In the Toppers, Anna McNulty took 4th, Stephen Finnegan 7th, Tom O'Hare 15th and David Corkey 21st. Kate MacAdorey took a fantastic 11th in the Laser 4.7s and Dara O'Connor 16th in the Laser Radials.

CLYC Junior Squad at Ballyholme. Left to right: Dara O'Connor, Paul McParland, Anna McNulty, Kate MacAdorey, David Corkey, Stephen Finnegan, Conor O'Farrell

A Dramatic End To The Cruiser season at CLYC
As previously reported the late season series of races at Carlingford Lough Yacht Club couldn't have been closer. Five boats were in contention to win the series going into Saturday's racing, but there can only be one winner. Even before the two races began, the dramatic news was announced that Gannet (Brian McCann) was unable to sail. This left the field wide open for Synergy (Chris Cassidy), MaxiMeyes (Mick McCann) Atlantic Diva (Gerry Byrne) and Thetis (Don Campbell). Conditions were perfect for the heavier boats with strong winds in the glorious sunlight. Thetis took full advantage of the situation skilfully weaving his way through the fleet to snatch first place in the first race from MaxiMeyes just at the line.

Cruisers Battling for Series Honours

The stage looked set for Thetis to scoop up the series trophy, but as it turns out that was by no means straightforward. At the start of the second race all Thetis had to do was come fourth or better to beat Synergy in the series. But Thetis had an equipment failure at the start of the race and could only manage fifth place. Could Chris Cassidy's Synergy steal the trophy from right under Don Campbell's nose in Thetis? The answer is no, MaxiMeyes and Atlantic Diva out-sailed Synergy in a display of superb helmsmanship, leaving Synergy in fourth place and the series in Don Campbell's hands.

Everyone agrees that this season's cruiser racing at Carlingford Lough Yacht Club at Killowen has been the best ever. All the skippers and crews are eagerly awaiting more excitement next year. The hope was expressed that lots more boats will join in the fun when things kick off again in the spring. Anyone who is interested in taking part should contact www.clyc.info and click on Contact Us. You'll be made very welcome.

Dinghy sailing continues with the Late Season and in winds gusting to 25 knots very few boats braved the water. Rooney/McDonagh got off to a good start but a poor gennaker launch by McDonagh caused disaster and a 30 minute inversion, Kieran Cranley followed suit, perhaps he was just demonstrating capzise drill to his latest crew Paddy Loughran? This man goes through crews at a fearful rate! This left The McLaughlins sailing an ultra conservative but upright race to take line honours ahead of Jim Linton. There was then crew mutiny on the McLaughlin boat and the Cranley boat, who both retired leaving the the second race wide open for a Rooney and Linton one-two.