420 End of Season Regatta – Lough Derg YC 25/10/09
The 2009 Season has come to an end as the End of Season regatta draws to a close after only getting 3 races in due to what can only be described as extreme weather.
A fleet of 8 boats made the journey up to Lough Derg despite a poor forecast for the weekend, Race Officer John Leech with his assistant Richard Kissane tried to get the sailors racing on Saturday, with the sailors been out for 20 minutes, the call was made to abandon racing for the day.
The fleet came ashore, with a short break, the annual AGM took place where we saw the election of the new committee for the 2010 season. Here we saw Lucille Bradfield, stand down from chairperson from what can only be described as an epic time as chairman. Lucille’s drive and determination saw the fleet go from 8 boats actively sailing to 30, with the fleet continuing to grow. With Richard Kissane been elected as the new chairman.
Sunday had an equally poor forecast, however racing started at 10am to try to get racing in before the worsening weather. Race 1 got under way in about 20 knots and building, the first beat saw a mix of leaders coming to the windward mark, however Rob Lehane and Iarlaith Kennedy taking the lead around the mark and continued to build a gap between themselves and the fleet. Diana Kissane and Hazel O’Neil put in an equally good performance holding onto 2nd position from Jamie Aplin and Jack Burke.
Race 2 got under way with a strengthening 20 knots, Rob Lehane and Iarlaith Kennedy again took the lead from start to finish, with 2nd and 3rd place changing throughout the race between Jamie Aplin and Jack Burke, however Richie Harrington and Robbie English had a spectacular capsize loosing 2nd place. Jamie Aplin and Jack Burke finsihed in 2nd and Emma Geary and Niamh Connely finishing 3rd.
Race 3 saw an increase in breeze from the west, the fleet got under way in about 26 knots with huge gusts. Rob and Iarlaith took the lead early holding on till the end, Jamie and Jack where hot on their heels in 2nd yet where unable to catch them and Diana and Hazel closing the gap throughout the race.
With large squalles coming in well over 30 knots, the race officer made the decision to abandon racing for the day.
Over all results are as follows.
1. Rob Lehane + Iarlaith Kennedy – 3
2. Jamie Aplin + Jack Burke – 7
3. Diana Kissane + Hazel O’Neil – 12
4. Laura McCarthy + Louise McCarthy – 14
5. Emma Geary + Niamh Connely – 16
6. Richie Harrington + Robbie English – 20
7. Pauline Quallis + Patrick Daly – 21
8. Eoughan Cudmore + Phillip - 22