The last big event of the cruiser racing calendar at Carlingford Lough Yacht Club took place on the last weekend in September and drew an entry of nine boats from all around the Lough.
Carlingford Lough lies between the south Co Down coast and the north coast of Co. Louth.
Three races were scheduled for each day, with the main prize being the Claire McCann Whitesail Trophy.
As spinnakered boats are not eligible to race for that trophy, the competitors had to make the decision whether to fly a spinnaker and be in with a chance of winning overall or should they keep the big sail down below and have a chance of winning the Claire McCann Trophy?
Some of the Spinnaker and Whitesail yachts in action at the Carlingford Lough Yacht Club Cruiser Regatta
Saturday’s racing was exciting with a lumpy Northerly wind, and after three races, Ron Finegan’s SB20, So-Brr! scored three first places, closely followed by Gerry Byrne’s Gibsea 312 SD, Atlantic Diva with three-second places overall.
In the Claire McCann Trophy races, Tom Kearney’s Beneteau 25 Platu Supersonic picked up three first places, followed by Tim Gibbons’ J80 Warrior.
The crew of Supersonic with the Claire McCann Trophy raced for as part of the Carlingford Lough Yacht Club Cruiser Regatta
Sunday’s races were raced in an even livelier 10 – 18 knots from the northwest. Ron Finegan scored two-second places and a first in his SB20, making him the overall winner.
In the Whitesail class, Tom Kearney finished with six first places in his Beneteau 25 Platu, Supersonic, making him the clear winner of the Claire McCann Trophy.
Results are below
