Roche Rules the Roost

Wednesday Racing eventually kicked off last week. Race Officer Rachel McKay laid a full olympic course. A spring tide flooding in and light easterly wind caused problems for all reaching the windward mark situated just off Killowen Point. Although Rooney/McDonagh led on the water, Ian Roche used his years of experience to take the win easily on handicap. Browne/Hicks took a well deserved third behind Rooney. In the B Fleet Stephen Finnegan took the bullet ahead of Tom O’Hare.

Albert Basin Demonstration. An intrepid fleet (two) of Picos launched into the canal last Saturday and enjoyed a beautiful sail up to the Albert Basin where some demonstration races were held. Aidan McKay, Philip O’Connor and Andy Browne put the boats through their paces. I hear they even did a capsize drill, purely for educational purposes of course! Leaflets on club membership and summer courses were distributed by Kieran Cranley ashore. John White also sailed up in his Drascombe to advertise the new dinghy cruising section of the club. He thankfully elected not to demonstrate a capsize drill.

Last Sunday Race Officer Rooney took charge of the fleet in light westerly winds and fine drizzle. It would have seemed to the casual observer that Browne/Hicks had it all tied up but once again Ian Roche was in control and took not one but two bullets. Jim Linton took two seconds leaving poor Browne with a third and a fourth. Back on the sailing scene Emma Flood impressed with a third place in race 2.