Baptism of Fire

The first race of the season hung in the balance as Race Officer Paul McParland prevaricated in the face of the dreaded westerly wind gusting to 25 knots, with even a sighting of a small Carlingford Kettle on the far shore. After a long period of “slip gazing” the decision was made to go for it albeit for a windward leeward course in the absence of a committee boat.

The wind shifted just at the start and a heavy port line bias was not spotted by all the sailors. Helen McParland and Luke McIlwaine were on the money at the pin end, and at the windward mark were well ahead of the rest of the fleet. Conor Quinn was giving chase but never managed to close the gap. Colin Matthews put in a star performance in the Laser to take second place in the A fleet, while the Commodore and the Sailing Secretary spent a significant proportion of the race in submarine mode. Sailing well in the B Fleet were David Corkey, Matthew McNulty, Hannahelisa Smyth and Sean Lane who braved the conditions to the end.

With wind shifting and gusting the second race was wisely cancelled by McParland who was no doubt glad to see his charges safely ashore.

Commodore O’Connor looking good in a rare vertical position

Luke McIlwaine leads the B Fleet