St Stephen's Day Racing & Prizegiving

A window in the weather allowed Paddy Rooney and company to set a windward-leeward course for the Cranley Mince Pie and Roche Trophy 2012. The windward mark was just off the Clubhouse which was great for the gathered spectators including those put off sailing by the threat of impending gales and the driving rain!

The A Fleet race was always going to be between Richard Cranley and Henry McLaughlin Junior and despite a brief attack in the second lap, the elder McLaughlins just couldn't match the pace. Cranley failed to take advantage of a capsize by McLaughlin Junior at the last windward mark and lost by only two seconds.

The B Fleet race was a tense affair with less than a minute separating the top 4 boats. Conor Quinn came out just 7 seconds ahead of Anna McNulty with Conor O'Farrell in third.

Afterwards in the Clubhouse, new Sailing Secretary Ian Finnegan presented the last prizes of the year including the Frostbite Series which went to Henry and Liz McLaughlin, only a heartbeat ahead of Rooney/McDonagh. Best in the Laser class went to Jim Linton. The B Fleet Frostbite went to Conor Quinn, Best Under 14 Matthew McNulty, Best Under 16, Kate MacAdorey.

The Orr Trophy also went to Conor Quinn who will need an extension to house this year's haul of medals.

That’s the end of Club racing until Easter 2013. Hopefully Junior Training will get started soon in preparation for next season which promises to deliver some super results. Also just announced is the news that CLYC will be hosting next year's Ulster Laser Championships in June, so club Laser sailors will want to be in top form for that.

Prizewinners at CLYC on Boxing Day (L-R) Henry McLaughlin Senior, Henry McLaughlin Junior, Matthew McNulty, Kate MacAdorey, Conor Quinn, Philip O'Connor (Commodore) Liz McLaughlin.

Conor Quinn (L) receives the Mince Pie (sponsored by Kieran & Ann Cranley) from Commodore Philip O'Connor.