Martel's First 40.7 Pippa VI Wins Ailsa Craig Race

19th June 2022

Gareth Martel (right) and crew from Pippa VI, winners of the 60th Anniversary Ailsa Craig Race, missing is Zander Boyd

The light winds forecast for the Ailsa Craig Race from Royal Ulster on Belfast Lough on Friday night turned out to be at times 17 knots, which for Stuart Cranston’s Ker 32 Hijacker appeared just at the wrong time when the Bobstay on the bowsprit exploded. But for the eventual winner Gareth Martel in the First 40.7 Pippa VI things went rather more smoothly and he took line honours and the overall first prize.

The original four entries had risen to nine by the time of the start of the overnighter.

The 60th Ailsa Craig start Photo: Bob Torrens

Second overall was Michael Eames in the Sunfast 3200, All or Nothing from Strangford Lough Yacht Club with the Carrickfergus-based Corby 29 Elixir (Brian and Ryan Wilson) finished in third slot. Fourth was Russell McGovern of Sailschool NI in the Tripp 40, Infinity.

And despite Hijacker’s demise, it was a fifth for them. The question is now whether the damage and be fixed in time for the start of the Bangor Town Regatta on Wednesday next.

Published in Northern Ireland Waters, Belfast Lough

Published in Northern Ireland Waters

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Ailsa Craig Race

About The Author

Betty Armstrong

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Betty Armstrong is Afloat and Yachting Life's Northern Ireland Correspondent. Betty grew up racing dinghies but now sails a more sedate Dehler 36 around County Down

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