The penultimate regatta of the Irish Fireball regatta season has seen the best turnout of boats this year–16 writes Cormac Bradley.

Sailing with the 420s (15 boats) on Lough Derg and hosted by Lough Derg Yacht Club, the fleet took advantage of favourable conditions to have four races today. The first race was an abnormally short trapezoid – abnormal because Race Officer John Leech, Vice–Commodore of LDYC, doesn't normally make mistakes like that.

Niall McGrotty & Neil Cramer (Skerries/ 14938) were the beneficiaries with Jon Evans & Aidan Caulfield (National YC/14748) second and Noel Butler & Stephen Oram (National YC/15061) third.

Thereafter normal service was resumed with Butler/Oram taking three wins over a second trapezoid and two Windward/Leeward courses. 2nd places were shared between McGrotty/Cramer, Mick Creighton & Joe O'Reilly (RStGYC/1506) and Mike Murphy & Alex Voye (National YC/14908).

Conor & James Clancy (RStGYC/14807) claimed two thirds in these races with the other third going to Frank Miller & Grattan Donnelly (DMYC/14713).

The nett effect is to give Butler/Oram a five point cushion on McGrotty/Cramer who have two points on Evans/Caulfield.

Competition for the Classic Trophy is much tighter with this correspondent of the view that this is being led by Owen Sinnott & Cormac Bradley (31pts) followed by John Bolger & Jay Dalton (32pts) and Adrian Lee & Edward Coyne (32pts). These three occupy 10th, 11th and 12th.

Leading ladies are Class Chairman Marie Barry crewing for Cariosa Power.

Two races are scheduled for tomorrow

Lough Derg Yacht Club, founded in 1835, is situated in Dromineer, close to Nenagh, in Co Tipperary.

Day membership is available to visitors to the club and adult sailing classes are available for non-members. The club offers great sailing and cruising for all types of boats. Dingy classes sailed include Optimist, Mirrors, Lasers, 420s and the Shannon One Design.

Fishermen at the club are always willing to lend their knowledge and skill to visitors and new members.

The Clubhouse hosts many formal and informal social gatherings the highlight of which is the Midsummers Night Ball.

Children and teenagers receive excellent tuition during the junior sailing courses, which can lead to ISA instructor qualifications.

The annual regatta is the highlight of the sailing calendar for adults and children combing racing with a vibrant social scene.

Dromineer Bay is a regular venue for regional and national sailing competitions hosted by the club.

Lough Derg Yacht Club, Dromineer, Co. Tipperary. Tel (clubhouse): 067 244 55, (membership secretary): 067 222 66, email: [email protected] or [email protected] (membership)

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