A combination of rain, mist and flat calm meant a 30-minute postponement by Race Officer Richard Doig for the East Antrim Boat Club Christmas Regatta yesterday (27th).
But that didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the 37 starters. As forecast, the breeze filled on Larne Lough giving a good breeze of 10-15 knots, and they sailed three races with a bonus for spectators that the leeward mark was just off the club.
Christmas Regatta at East Antrim Photo: Trevor Jackson
Commodore Lucy Whitford was pleased with the turnout – “It was great to have visiting boats from Carrickfergus, Ballyholme, Newcastle and Malahide Yacht Clubs”.
The biggest fleet was the Single Handers which included one Aero. Here Laser Coach Barry McCartan came out on top with Gavin Doig just one point behind and Lucas Nixon 3rd. Five Optimists crossed the line and first was Freddie Doig from the host club. That fleet included Siun, Paidi and Tomas A’Coistealbha from Malahide Yacht Club. Ryan Wilson and Katie Nelson in an RS400 won the Double Handers.
Louis Leonard’s three firsts gave her the prize for first Topper and the Flying Fifteen prize went to Philip Ford-Hutchieson and Michael Kane.
There’s just a short break from sailing at East Antrim as racing continues with the late Winter series running from 2nd January to 27th March 2022.
