Frostbite Opener Cold Comfort for Rooney and McDonagh

The club was busy last Sunday with the RYANI Laser Sailing squads training and club racing running alongside, there were over 40 boats on the water. Kieran and Brian Cranley took charge of the first Frostbite race of 2013, ably assisted by Admiral Pat Dunbar and Midshipman Nigel Finlayson on mark laying. The wind was shifty but mainly westerly and about force 2. A strong ebbing spring tide made the windward mark hard to reach.

Despite the best efforts of Rooney and McDonagh in the RS400 and Linton in the Laser, the McLaughlins were unstoppable in conditions that suited them well. Leading from the first windward mark to a 2 minute lead at the finish they were in the clubhouse before most boats were off the water. The B fleet race was fought between Kate MacAdorey in the Laser and Conor Quinn, Luke McIlwaine, Matthew McNulty and Erin McIlwaine in the Toppers. Despite nearly fighting a losing battle with the tide at the finish Conor Quinn managed to take nearly 2 minutes out of MacAdorey on handicap.

The Annual Dinner Dance and Presentation takes place this Saturday in the Whistledown Hotel at 8pm. Contact Joan MacAdorey for tickets.

A good turnout for the first race of the winter series

Luke McIlwaine - not feeling the cold