Killyleagh gets on to the water

Killyleagh gets on to the water

8 May 2013

ALTHOUGH the weather so far has hampered even the most determined sailors’ attempts to get ready for the water, sunshine and steady, moderate winds encouraged eleven yachts to take part in Opening Day at Killyleagh Yacht Club.

In the Squib class, the racing was extremely competitive and the battle to win the Claret Jug Trophy was practically decided on the line when Gary Shields’ Mikado finished just ahead of Scott Rodgers and Aimee Bridges in Winnie What, with Kyle and Sharon Bolton taking third place in Allsorts.

The combined PY class saw vastly different yachts setting sail to compete for the Commodore’s Shield and despite a valiant effort by Raymond Beattie’s Tiger Lily, the conditions were ideal for Mark Bridges in his Moody 34, Extreme, and he and his crew romped to victory on corrected time. In third place was Cheval de Mer under the guidance of Barr and Bowsie.

With the racing season now started at KYC, the next big event on the calendar is the annual Sail4Cancer series, now in a shorter two-day format on May 25-26. The sailing instructions and entry forms for this excellent event are now available on the club website, www.killyleaghyachtclub.co.uk.

All competitors are very welcome to come along and enjoy the sailing and entertainment and to help raise money for this excellent charity.