Sailing ‘Top’ class at Quoile

Sailing ‘Top’ class at Quoile

7 October 2015

A LATE burst of summer made Strangford Lough a superb setting for the fifth and final round of the 2015 Topper Traveller Series on Sunday.

The event was hosted by Quoile Yacht Club and a fantastic entry of 54 young sailors from all over Ireland competed in two fleets, with 43 going to the line in the full rig category and another 11 in the 4.2 rig.

From Northern Ireland there were competitors from Strangford SC, Strangford Lough YC, Donaghadee SC, Ballyholme YC, County Antrim YC, East Down YC, East Antrim BC, Newcastle YC, Carlingford Lough YC, Holywood YC and the host club.

From the Republic, there were entrants from Royal Cork YC, Courtown SC, Waterford Harbour SC, Royal St George YC, National YC, Lough Derg YC and Howth YC.

Three races were sailed and at the end of it all there was plenty of local success to celebrate.

Pride of place in terms of flocal involvement went to Erin McIlwaine, of Newcastle YC and Carlingford Lough YC, who finished first in the U-12 category, while Evie McLaughlin, from Strangford SC, finished third in the same category.

Ben McMeekin, also from Strangford SC, finished third in the U-14 category and Juliette Kennedy, from Strangford Lough YC, was third in the U-17 age bracket.

In the 11-strong 4.2 fleet Colin Crichton, from Quoile YC, also sailed consistently well to finish second.

4.2 fleet results: 1st Dan McGaughey, Donaghadee SC; 2nd Colin Crichton Quoile YC; 3rd Cameron Thompson Donaghadee SC.

Full rig: 1st Geoff Power, Waterford Harbour SC; 2nd Ella Hemeryck, National YC; 3rd Jack Fahy Royal St George YC/Lough Derg YC.

U-12: 1st Erin McIlwaine, Newcastle YC/Carlingford Lough YC; 2nd Rory Williamson, East Antrim BC/County Antrim YC; 3rd Evie McLaughlin, Strangford SC.

U-14: 1st Jenna McCarlie, County Antrim YC; 2nd Eoghan Byrne, Courtown SC; 3rd Ben McMeekin, Strangford SC.

U-17: 1st Caoimhe Foster, Royal Cork YC; 2nd Ellen McCarlie, County Antrim YC; 3rd Juliette Kennedy, Strangford Lough YC.

First lady: Ella Hemeryck, National YC.