O’Hare on the Money

Last Wednesday a small fleet gathered at the top of the slip for a spot of wind gazing otherwise known as “will we or won’t we”. The cause of this uncertainty was a stiff breeze of about 20-25 knots from the west. The arrival of Race Officer McKay soon put the doubts to bed when he issued the launch command, and in no time had a fine course laid. Stephen Finnegan and Tom O’Hare were sailing in the A ‘Fleet for the first time in their new Radial rigs along with veteran sailors Tim Gibbons and Paddy Rooney.

However Tom O’Hare had obviously not read the script and proceeded to beat not only Stephen Finnegan but Gibbons and Rooney as well. A long list of excuses were presented in the clubhouse afterwards but there was no denying a fine performance. Meanwhile at the rear of the fleet the Cranley Brothers failed to recover from an early capsize and spent the greater part of the race swimming. Browne / Hicks also spent a fair part of the race inverted and struggling with their gennaker but my word when they got it going they were fast.

Remember Orr Trophy continues on Tuesday nights at 7pm and details of courses can be found at www.CLYC.info.