Colin Leonard of Strangford Lough and Ballyholme is “Sailor of the Month (International & Cruising)” for February

1st March 2024

Double jobber…..Colin Leonard of Strangford Lough and Ballyholme won Silver at the ILCA Masters in Australia in February, and also collected an Irish Cruising Club award Credit: Jack Fletcher

There seem to be two Colin Leonards prominent in the sailing scene in the north, but in fact, it’s one and the same man making the best of several possibilities.

Colin Leonard of Ballyholme was tops in the medal stakes in the Irish squad in the ILCA Masters in Adelaide in Australia with the Silver in the Apprentice Masters division confirmed on 10th February. And then a week later, he was awarded the Wybrants Cup of the Irish Cruising Club for a brisk ten-day cruise in the family’s attractive Strangford Lough-based Starlight 35 Ariadne to St Kilda, away to the west beyond the Outer Hebrides.

The Leonards are ICC royalty – Colin’s grandfather Gerry was an Atlantic circuiteer who held several offices, including ICC Vice Commodore in 1974-76, while his father Alan filled the same role in 2012-2014.

Village Bay on St Kilda far to the west of the Outer Hebrides is one of international cruising’s iconic destinations. Photo: Colin Leonard

Published in Sailor of the Month, Cruising, Laser, Northern Ireland Waters

Published in Sailor of the Month

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Colin Leonard

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