Sunday 16th March
Light winds from a westerly direction and sunshine meant a perfect if slightly chilly afternoon of sailing for the sixteen boats that made the first start. Race Officer Lawrence Baalham set a windward beat to mark 2 for the first race. A short course and a single lap meant that the slow boats did well. Just 56 seconds separated the first eight boats on handicap! Race one was won by Ed Reynolds Jnr, Topper 5.3 with Susie Harris’ Topper 6.4 Lorelei, just 12 seconds behind and five seconds after that was Andrew Monahan’s Laser Radial.
Several of the younger Topper sailors then retired, unsurprising as they had been on the water for a couple of hours prior to racing practising starts and tacking. Their enthusiasm for sailing is to be applauded and we wish them well with the next few weeks of coaching and their first event of the season at Ballyholme on April 6th.
Race two was the same course which Adam Nelson, Laser Radial won closely followed by Ed and then Andrew. The wind shifted slightly and mark 3 became the upwind mark for the final race. Jennifer, having arrived late, managed to get changed and into Josh’s ready rigged Topper to join the fleet in time for this last race. Susie beat Fraser & Niamh Menzies, GP 14 Elana by 14 seconds with Adam in third place.
Overall the results were:
1st: Ed Reynolds Jnr Topper 5.2
2nd: Susie Harris Topper 6.4
3rd: Adam Nelson ILCA6/Laser Radial
The entry fees raised some £85 for Donaghadee Lifeboat and everyone had a great day on the water. A big thank-you to all our safety volunteers and to our race officer.