David Kelly and the crew of yacht Storm from Howth Yacht Club and Rush Sailing Club have won the coveted overall Clyde Cruising Club's Scottish Series Trophy. Having won their class the previous year to come back and do so again is an outstanding achievement by the Irish J109 National Champions.

As well as the overall trophy David Kelly walked away with the Rose Bowl for best boat in the Luddon IRC fleet and The McIver Salver. In a very competitive Makars Mash RC35 Class, Kelly was pushed by fellow Dubliner's Brian and John Hall sailing 'Something Else' of the National Yacht Club finishing only four points behind in their J109. More on this win here.

David Kelly and his Storm crew show off their Trophy haul in Tarbert Pictured left to right: David Kelly(jnr), Paul O’Hare, Lauren O’Hare, Paddy Kelly, David Kelly, Pat Kelly, Paul Kelly, Alan Ruigrok, Cian Hickey, (front row) Ronan Kelly and Patrick Boardman.Photo: Marc Turner/Scottish Series

As Afloat.ie reported earlier, as Irish boats were closing in on a successful Scottish tour, in a haul of trophies for Irish racers at the Scottish Series, there were also victories in class one and class four when Carrickfergus yachts from Belfast Lough lifted the silverware after three days of competitive sailing on the Gourock. 

Spirit of Jacana (Alan Bruce/James Douglas) came from behind to win class one on the last day to earn them The Causeway Cup, awarded to the boat normally based out with Scotland which in the opinion of the Race Committee has given the best performance of all boats.

Also In IRC 1, Conor & Denise Phelan's Ker 37 'Jump Juice' from Royal Cork YC, with North Sails finished third overall.  

In IRC four, cruiser debutante Rory Fekkes was the overall winner in his First, 'F'nGr8'.

In IRC three, Johnny Swan's classic half-tonner "Harmony" from Howth YC, finished a close second in her class, losing out on overall victory only by a single point. 

'Team Storm' had one simple quote, to sum up their Scottish Series victory, "we're not here to win, we're here to take over."

But the toast of the night has been for Kelly who was absolutely delighted with the crews' performance at this year's Scottish Series with the class and the overall win. "This is probably some of the best racing around. I've been coming here for the last 12 years and will be back again next year; we have been targeting this event for a while and are really chuffed to win it overall; this crew has done an amazing job."

Powerful start for Storm Photo: Marc Turner/Scottish Series

'Team Storm' had one simple quote to sum up their Scottish Series victory, " we're not here to win, we're here to take over."

Scottish Series Event Chairman, David Denholm, commented "The Clyde Cruising Club Scottish Series enjoyed some brilliant sailing in stunning Loch Fyne off Tarbert with superb Bank holiday weather. David Kelly's 'Storm' crew are without doubt worthy winners of CCC Scottish Series 2018 and the IRC Scottish Championship; the crew looked particularly pleased to have won a gallon of Bruichladdich whisky. He also commented that the event is extremely grateful to the companies that provide sponsorship to support the event; The Botanist was certainly well-received as part of the prizes for the overall class winners."

Overall Results

The VALHALLA OF ASHTON SALVER for a volunteer who makes a particular contribution to the event was awarded to Alan Cassels who, for the last 20 years, has acted as the Race Officer for the One Design Fleet.

The CRINAN CUP was awarded to the boat which, in the opinion of the Race Committee has given the most meritorious performance of all competitors in the Passage Race from Largs; this year that boat was Brian Robertson's 'Celtic Spirit' from CYCA class 7 also taking home the Clyde Bowl for the best combined times for the Passage Race from Largs and the Tunnock's Inch' Race.

The TUNNOCK'S CUP for the boat with the lowest corrected time in the CYCA classes in the Tunnock's Inch' Race this year was awarded to John Corson's 'Salamander XXII'.

The CRAWFORD McINNES TROPHY supported by Hempel Paints for best under 25 helm or crew, who in the opinion of the Race Committee has given the best performance of all eligible competitors in the Series, was presented to Rory Fekkes of 'F'NGr8' and Hempel product prizes to the youth crew of 'Jump Juice'.

The SINBAD TROPHY was awarded to the family boat, regardless of class or results, as judged by representatives of the organising committee; this year was presented to the Morrison family sailing 'Synergie' in CYCA 7.

The LEMARAC TANKARD was awarded to the boat which, in the opinion of the Race Committee achieved the best performance of all competitors in the White Sail classes in the Series this year, 'St Bridget' owned by Ian Nicolson.

The ALFRED MYLNE CUP TROPHY which goes to the best performance of all competitors in the EventScotland One Design classes in the Series, and was awarded to the winner of the Scottish National Championship of the class, Brian Wiseman sailing National Sonata One Design 'Virtuoso'.

The JOE DEANE CUP, for the best performance in the Tunnock's CYCA handicap Classes in the Series this year goes to Howard Morrison of 'Enigma'.

The ROSE BOWL for the best performance in the Luddon Fleet IRC Classes in the Series this year goes to David Kelly of 'Storm'.

The CAUSEWAY CUP awarded to the boat normally based out with Scotland which in the opinion of the Race Committee has given the best performance of all boats in the Series went to Alan, Bruce and James Douglas in their Irish based boat 'Spirit of Jacana'.

The McIVER SALVER (owned by the Mudhook Yacht Club) was awarded to the winner of the IRC SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIP, David Kelly of the yacht 'Storm'.

The overall award, the Clyde Cruising Club SCOTTISH SERIES TROPHY, also went to David Kelly's 'Storm'.

Overall results are here