Spence lifts top prize at Quoile Yacht Club regatta

Spence lifts top prize at Quoile Yacht Club regatta

16 June 2021

THE first sailing regatta on Strangford Lough for almost two years was hosted by Quoile Yacht Club on Saturday.

Almost 80 boats and their crews enjoyed excellent racing in the near perfect conditions of a steady breeze and warm summer sunshine.

At the end of an enjoyable afternoon of sailing there were some familiar names at the top of the leaderboard.

Killyleagh’s Mike Spence won the big boat IRC 1 class, while in IRC 2 Stephen Lynn once led the way. The Dark and Stormy Syndicate from Whiterock were celebrating after winning the NHC 1 class and Colin Earney, from East Down, scooped the prize in the NHC 2 standings.

The restricted sail classes went to Richard Ramsey and John Findlay, from East Down, and the Bloch 

family’s Folkboat from Whitrerock.

In the one design fleets, Kenny and Sonya Smyth won the Rivers, while Richard Aiken showed the rest of the Glen fleet the way home. Brian Bailie, from Portaferry, was the pick of the Flying Fifteen racers and Robert Marshall, from Portaferrty, led the Squibs home.

Afterwards club commodore Joanne Magowan welcomed reduced numbers to the prize giving ceremony, which was held under Covid restrictions, and also thanked John O’Kane, of MGM Boats, for sponsoring the prizes. The race officer was John Magowan.

Results

IRC 1: 1st Le Basculer, M Spence, KYC; 2nd Hijacker, S Cranston, DCC; 3rd Lion, J Dickson, EDYC.

IRC 2: Mipaal, S Lynn, EDYC; 2nd Apache, J Gifford, QYC; 3rd Maverick, J Patterson., EDYC.

NHC 1: 1st Adelante, Dark & Stormy Syndicate, SLYC; 2nd Magdaleyne, M Petticrew, EDYC; 3rd Cheval de Mer, Messrs Barr & Bowsie, KYC.

NHC 2: 1st Club Coffee, C Earney, EDYC; 2nd Shanty, B White, PSC.

NHC 1 Restricted Sail: 1st Self Expression, Messrs Ramsey & Findlay, EDYC; 2nd Mithril, M Mackey, QYC; Scary Bird, S Andrews, QYC.

NHS 2 Restricted Sail: 1st Folkboat, Messrs Bloch, SLYC; 2nd Monkey Business, N Bradshaw, SSC; 3rd Nirvana of Rhu, D Bridges, KYC.

River: 1st Laragh, K & S Smyth, SLYC; 2nd Gweebarra, Messrs Cunningham, Martin & Brooks; SLYC; 3rd Quoile, J McClay, SLYC.

Glen: 1st Glen Lark, R Aiken, SLYC; 2nd Glen Orchy, P & J Martin, SLYC; 3rd Glen Elg, P Storey, SLYC.

Flying Fifteen: 1st Fflapping Eagle, B Bailie, PSC; 2nd Ffrigit, P Lawson, PSC; 3rd Going Grey, T McLaughlin, SSC.

Squib: 1st Slipstream, R Marshall, KYC; 2nd Blue, D Hanna, 

KYC; 3rd Firecracker, S Bridges, KYC.

Large Dinghy Handicap: 1st Wayfarer, G & F Reid, EDYC; 2nd RS400, L McIlwaine, NSC; 3rd 29er, M Miskelly, QYC.

Laser Radial: 1st Josh McGregor, BYC; 2nd Colin Crichton, QYC; 3rd Cody Halliday, SLYC.

Topper: 1st Sam Kelly, EDYC; 2nd Autumn, 3rd Cormac Byrne, QYC.