Conquerors from the south

Conquerors from the south

25 May 2016

SOUTHERN raiders stormed to victory at the North of Ireland Flying Fifteen Championships, hosted by Portaferry Sailing Club, on Strangford Lough at the weekend.

Sailors from The National Yacht Club, based at Dun Laoghaire in Dublin Bay, swept the board in emphatic fashion by filling the top three places.

Taking the overall honours were Alan Green and English helm Charles Apthorp, who won three of the five races and were never out of the top five in the 18-strong fleet.

In second spot five points adrift were Ian Matthews and Keith Poole whose best results were two seconds, a third and fourth.

Only a point behind in third place were Dave Gorman and Chris Doorley, who led overnight after first, second and third place finishes in the opening three races, but fell away slightly on Sunday.

The best of the local sailors were Brian McKee and Darren Martin, from Strangford Lough Yacht Club, who finished fourth and rounded off the weekend in style by winning the fifth and final race on Sunday afternoon.

In fifth place overall and winners of the silver fleet in their new boat, which was having its first outing, were the Martin brothers, Andy and Rory, also from Strangford Lough Yacht Club.

To mark the 30th anniversary of the formation of the Flying Fifteen Association of Ireland, the presentations were made by Kircubbin sailor Jim Rodgers, a former British and Irish champion and the inaugural president of the association, and another class legend, Colin Coffey.

The race officer was John McAlea, who thanked the competitors and his support team for making the event an outstanding success.