Christopher fires on all cylinders to secure Gore’s Island Trophy

Christopher fires on all cylinders to secure Gore’s Island Trophy

1 July 2015

CHRISTOPHER Cannon secured the prestigious Gore’s Island Trophy at Quoile Yacht Club on Sunday.

The talented teenager was the leading Quoile member in the unique race which has been a fixture in the club’s racing calendar for over 40 years.

Christopher finished a very close second in the Topper fleet after a ding-dong encounter with Strangford Sailing Club’s Ben McMeekin, who snatched victory on the finish line.

A stiff breeze and warm sunshine made for fantastic conditions, with the leading boats finishing in record times. There were also plenty of capsizes, particularly on the dicey downwind legs, among the 20 competitors, who were spread out over seven classes.

There was another close finish in the Laser Radial class where Tom McMeekin held off a strong challenge from his brother Paul after runaway leader William Findlay disqualified himself for rounding a mark in the wrong direction.

Gareth Quinn, from Strangford Lough Yacht Club, won the full rig Laser class, Adam Fermor, also from Strangford Lough YC, collected the Laser 4.7 prize and Colin Crichton, from the host club, won the Topper 4.2 class.

Connor and Emma McMahon, from Killyleagh Yacht Club, were popular winners of the Pico class and Graham Dickson and Liam McKeating won a hotly contested Squib race.

The race officer was John Magowan.