Tricky conditions at East Down Regatta

9 July 2014

THERE was a good turn-out of over 80 boats spread over 15 classes at the East Down Yacht Club’s annual regatta on Saturday.

The forecast of sunny with showers proved correct. All the classes had tricky conditions at the start, with the winds, light and fluky, making for testing times for the crews fighting their way against the tide to the first mark.

While some might say there was a lot of luck involved, the leaders claimed it was their skill to read the conditions.

The large cruisers had a great spinnaker run down the lough in the increasing wind, while the other classes reached across with a number broaching in the ever increasing wind.

The thunderstorm blasted the sailors for a short while and caused problems for some of the juniors in the Toppers. Thanks are extended to the safety boat crews from all the clubs for doing a great job.

After the storm the wind ped to zero again, causing those boats who had not finished to be pushed back from the finish line by the increasing flood tide — more frustration for them.

IRC 1: 1st What’s The Rush II, E. Kelly, BBC; 2nd Le Basculer, M. Spence, KYC.

IRC 2: 1st Alcyone, P. Thompson, EDYC; 2nd Mipaal, S. Lynn, EDYC;.

NHC 1: Stardust, G. McCullough, EDYC, 2nd Magdaleyne, Petticrew/McMahon, EDYC.

Flying 15: 1st Too fast & Furious, A. McCleery & C. Dougan, KYC; 2nd Don’t Look Back, M Crichton & R. Scott, SSC.

NHC 2: 1st Kestrel, McCrory/Williams, EDYC, 2nd Arenaria, McRobert/White, EDYC.

Sonata: 1st Intruder, T. Patton, SLYC; 2nd Triad, R. Darnley, SLYC.

NHCR 1: First Magic, P. Niblock, SLYC; 2nd Independence, I. Brown, EDYC.

River: 1st Laragh, K. & S. Smyth, SLYC; 2nd Gweebarra, Messrs Cunningham & Martin, SLYC.

Glen: 1st Glen Lark, R. Aiken, SLYC.

NHCR 2: 1st Club Coffee, D. Earney, EDYC; 2nd Seaborne, R. Dow, EDYC.

Squib: 1st Volante, S. Watson, KYC; 2nd Second Chance, S. Stewart, KYC.

Leisure 17: 1st Minstrel, A. Crockard, EDYC; 2nd Octavia, McLaughlin/Lynch, EDYC.

Wayfarer: 1st Hart Beat, G. Reid, EDYC; 2nd Mistral, M. Crawford, EDYC:

GP 14: 1st A. Duffin, EDYC; 2nd G. Farrington, EDYC.

Topper: 1st No. 45242; 2nd No. 43345.

Laser: 1st No. 107747; 2nd Bo. 176280.

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