Last regatta of season

Last regatta of season

1 September 2021

EAST Down Yacht Club was the venue on Saturday for the final of the season on Strangford Lough.

There was a thick sea mist and no wind early in the morning, so conditions were not looking promising. However by late morning the mist had gone and replaced by glorious sunshine and a light breeze.

There were 64 entries, and considering the extremely light winds that had been forecast all week, this was an excellent turnout. 

The regatta featured competitors from around the lough aged from 10 years to 89.

Ten year-old Samuel Stocking, who only started sailing six weeks ago, was out on his racing Optimist and 88 year-old Finlay Reid competed in his Mark 4 racing spec Wayfarer which recently replaced his wooden Mark 1 Wayfarer which he had sailed for the last 35 years.

There was high drama in the first seconds of the opening race when one of the large IRC boats approached the line on port with another yacht fast approaching on starboard having to give way. 

Some races later it was equally exciting to watch the 28 foot Hunter Impalas jockeying for a good start.

After some very competitive racing Michael Molloy, another young EDYC sailor, came home first to take the honours.   

Laurence Denyer brought his Mark 2 Wayfarer out of mothballs and after some competitive racing in the light airs he tied for first place in one of the dinghy classes.  

Many crews came ashore for hospitality after the racing and before the prizegiving they were entertained by Bangor Ukes.

Club commodore Stephen Dow presented the prizes and thanked everyone, both on and off the water, for making the event a success.

Results

IRC1: 1st Le Basculer, M Spence, KYC; 2nd Hindsight, D Hinds, PSC; 3rd Lion J Dixon, EDYC.

IRC2: 1st Vela, M Molloy, EDYC; 2nd Beeste, M Hamilton & J Curran, EDYC; 3rd Apache, J Gifford, QYC.

NHC1: 1st Cascade, C Harte & J Orr, SLYC; 2nd Juno, T O’Neill, PSC; 3rd  Lizante, J Regan, EDYC.

NHC2: 1st Triad, R Darnley, SLYC; 2nd Club Coffee, C Earney, EDYC; 3rd Scallywag, D Courtney, EDYC.

NHCRS1: 1st Self Expression, R Ramsey & J Findlay, EDYC; 2nd Just Du It, T Nixon & S Clarke, SLYC; 3rd Finola’s Wing, D Thompson, KYC.

NHCRS2: 1st Seaborne, R Dow, EDYC; 2nd Bonaventure 2, M Browne; 3rd Meg, M McLoughlin & G Lynch, EDYC.

River: 1st Laragh, K & S Smyth, SLYC; 2nd Quoile, J McVea, SLYC.

Glen: 1st Glen Cuan, R Pannell, SLYC; 2nd Glenoe, M Stephens, SLYC; 3rd Glen Shiel, I Gleadhill, SLYC.

Leisure 17: 1st Heidi Q, T Hanna, EDYC; 2nd Shalso, C Grey, EDYC; 3rd Minstral, R Edwards, EDYC.

Squib: 1st Blue, D Hanna, KYC; 2nd Volante, S Watson, KYC; 3rd    Dotzboat, G Cromie, KYC.

Dinghy Handicap 1134 & under: 1st (tie) Swifter, L Denyer,  EDYC; G & F Findlay,  EDYC; 3rd Brane Wave, S Jeffery, EDYC.

Dinghy 1135 & over: 1st Cody Halliday, EDYC.

Topper: 1st Autumn Halliday, EDYC.

A special prize went to Samuel Stocking in an Optimist.