The Lough Ree Yacht Club Annual Regatta took place from Saturday, 3rd of August to Friday, 9th of August reports LRYC Commodore Donie Heraghty. It was Lough Ree's turn to host the 1922-vintage Shannon One Designs' National Championships, as it reciprocates between Ree and Derg each year.
An enchanted world of their own in the very middle of Ireland – Lough Ree's extensive complex at Ballyglass near Athlone Photo: Gerard Groarke
A fleet of 38 boats entered the event but the strong winds deterred some from taking to the water. As ever, Alan Algeo was our Regatta Organiser and PRO. We had a challenging week of racing with strong gusty winds. Two reefs were called for on a number of occasions during the week. Alan was assisted by Owen & Peter Delany and Eamon Temple on the committee boat.
The Shannon One Designs racing at Lough Ree YC
TEN DIFFERENT SOD CHAMPIONS IN TEN YEARS
The SOD National Championship 2024 was won by Ian Croxon in SOD 81. His dad Harry was sheet hand, and his sister Melanie Fullard was third hand. Harry last won the SOD Championships 49 years ago at Lough Derg Yacht Club crewing for his father, Ted Croxon, so it was a very special win for the family.
In his winning speech, Ian Croxon outlined to us that 10 different boats/crews have won the SOD National Championship over the last 10 years. That is a great testament to a very competitive class. Going into the final day, four boats could have won the Championship as they were only separated by 1 point.
- 1st - 81 Ian Croxon Helm/ Harry Croxon Sheet / Melanie Fullard 3rd hand.
- 2nd - 97 Andrew Mannion Helm/ Ellie Byrne Sheet / Conor Duffy 3rd Hand
- 3rd - 50 Mark McCormick Helm/ Nikky McCormick Sheet / Micheal Casey 3rd hand.
Three generations of the winning Croxon family with Commodore Heraghty Photo: Amanda Groarke
SB20s AND CRUISERS
The regatta also attracted a fleet of five SB20 keelboats and seven mixed Cruisers. Strictly Business helmed by Eoin Leahy in the SB20s won the Kennedy Crystal Trophy for the weekend part of the regatta, and also the overall trophy for the weeklong regatta. While Emmet Sheridan on Slippery Nipple won the passage race series and the Midlander Trophy.
Have we a plan? SB20 in a decision situation on Lough Ree
FAMILY HISTORY IN CRUISERS
Martin McNamara took the silverware in the Cruiser Class in his Evolution 22 Moonshine. Martin's late father Peter purchased Moonshine brand new at the Dublin Boat Show in 1982. After having numerous boats after Moonshine, he bought the Evolution 22 back last year, not long before he passed away from a long illness. Moonshine still sports the original striped gelcoat and brown cushions.
One of the family. The winning cruiser, Martin McNamara's Evolution 22 Moonshine, has been twice-bought with the first time in 1982. Photo: Mark Rafter
