Lough Foyle Yacht Club

Racing in Culmore Bay. Medium/light winds. Anton H sailing with Michael(welcome Michael). Great to see so many boats out.

Racing today in Culmore bay. Congratulations to Anton and Jack H who launched their new GP14 today. They were awarded an LFYC handicap of the GP14 PY 1127. Great to see Joy Whelan out sailing well in a Laser on LFYC handicap of 1195. Great to see Liam Doherty racing a laser also has been awarded an LFYC handicap of 1200.

Anton H and Jack H figuring out new GP14

The Culmore Regatta 2016 was blessed with good sailing conditions and great racing. A few notable sailing achievements.

Congratulations to the winners (I think the Gallaghers won race 1 and the Louden’s race 2)

Kevin and Caoimhe Lynch dusted down their GP14 for the Regatta. They sailed exceptionally well: Comhghairdeachas libh!

The regatta overall sailing highlight was probably the second Punt race. For the first time there was a joint first. The Hockleys and the McCanns crossed the line at the exact same time. A great crowd had gathered to watch them and cheered as they battled it out but it was impossible to split them.

Congratulations to the Regatta organisers and helpers, it was a great event.

(I am not sure who to thank for the Photos, but thanks to whoever, there are lots of photos and videos on FB, LFYC page)

The start of Race 1 for the Dinghys. (With the Lynchs in 13519)

Familiar faces.

Joint First. Hockleys and McCanns crossed the line at the exact same time

Light winds and strong tides took a heavy toll of DNFs tonight. Anton H gave up after 90 minutes of sailing….The difficulty was about getting across the channel to reach Harts mark. The two GPs crossed near the slipway and then crept along the shore before heading up to Harts. Anton tried to go up the other side hugging the docks. That is much shorter and had worked on the first lap but as the tide increased and the wind dropped it did not pay.

Sailing from the Perch to Conniborrow to Fahan to home. One lap in very light winds and a strong flood tide.

Sailing close to the shore on the way to Conniborrow and then sailing by the bow across the channel to cheat the tide.
Anton H got ahead just before the Conniborrow mark and held the lead home. The wind changed so instead of a run it was a beat home also. The tide changed also and as the wind dropped even more there was no way home for boats still down at Fahan. One lap took 55 minutes.

Starting from a boat (James J) using the flag and the perch we raced to harts back down the bay (near the green nav light) back to the power station in race one (all starboard marks). In race two we went the other way (all port marks). Great to see Liam out again.

Patchy winds (F2-3). Bill and James J sailing very well.

Just two boats racing this evening with honours even

No racing today – no wind

We all headed down to Moville early on Saturday morning. Joe Kelly was organizing for MBC (many thanks Joe, a great job) and he said it would start at 11. In a shock development it actually did start fairly near 11ish.

A good fleet turned up from Coleraine with lasers and toppers. The weather was kind. The kettle was on, there was loads of food and crack. It was great.

I think Ken and Davy L won the first race and the McGuinness Bros. the second race but am not sure about that.

I know all in LFYC look forward to this event every year and this year was brilliant. We look forward to next year. (Check out Sean McC photos from 2013)

The fleet makes its way out to Moville Light

Group shot

Anton and Aoife H rented a boat from Inishowen Adventures and a great day out on the water

At last I have caught up with the results postings to actually remember what happened on a particular night.

It was a night of light winds and very strong ebb tide. Anton H got swept away before the start of the race. He eventually got back into it but on the second lap found himself pinned to the wall of the pier on the Lisahally side. James H Snr folded himself into a laser and sailed very well. Kevin T got swept away on the second lap crossing the channel near the Perch but fought his way back against all odds and finished the race. An excellent and determined performance!

Congratulations to Ken and Davy L the light winds masters!