Youth at Killyleagh

Youth at Killyleagh

20 August 2025

GLORIOUS sunshine was the order of the day as 15 young sailors from Killyleagh Yacht Club took to the water to compete for the highly coveted Beattie Cup, awarded each year by the Beattie family in memory of Joanne Beattie. 

Always highly contested, many of the young sailors were determined to get their name on the cup, following in the footsteps of older siblings who have triumphed in the past.

Racing in a range of dinghies, of varying shapes and sizes, a 10-boat fleet lined up at the start, but despite an initial light and steady breeze, the sunshine played havoc with the wind, making it tricky for the competitors, as well race officer Scott Rodgers and his team. 

After a delay and a wind shift however, the course was reset and the race got underway.

First across the line was Jonah Kelly in his ILCA, over ten minutes ahead of the rest, while the battle for second and third was much more tightly contested.  

Cormac Dickson led the Topper pack, crossing the line in third, but although Maya Kelly and Emily Duggan took second on the water, when the handicaps were adjusted, Dickson finished runner-up, with Kelly and Duggan in third.  

As a result, despite the best attempts of his sister and her crew, it was Jonah Kelly who claimed the Beattie Cup for the second time.

The Beattie family have provided support to junior sailing at Killyleagh Yacht Club for many years, with Kate Beattie offering prizes for the competitors and refreshments for everyone involved, even the spectators.  

Now that her grandson, Dara, has signed up for a training course this week, perhaps a member of the family will lift the prize next year.