Multiple champion Tim Goodbody's retirement from the Sigma 33 class was saluted at a packed Royal Irish Yacht Club on Friday night when class captain Paddy Maguire honoured the stalwart with an 'Excellence Award' setting out his achievements over 16 years in the one design keelboat class.
In 1999, Goodbody bought his Sigma 33 White Mischief. He was joined by two of his crew that had sailed with him previously, namely Paul McCarthy and Brendan Farrell and was joined by Patrick Cafferky, Paddy Boyd, David Crawford and Richard Cotton to form the basis of the new crew.
From 1999 to the current season they won the UK National Championships, the Irish Championships and all of the club prizes in Dublin Bay Sailing Club (DBSC). They also achieved podium finishes in many other events. Of all races that Tim and the White Mischief crew competed in, Maguire estimated they won '75% of all races sailed; an extraordinary achievement'.
'This performance record clearly demonstrates an exception level of ability and sailing skills that are so rarely if ever achieved in a One Design Class. More importantly it was achieved on a consistent basis throughout', Maguire told the class.
It is the second honour for Goodbody in as many weeks. Last weekend DBSC honoured the Dun Laoghaire sailor at its prizegiving when it uniquely captured Goodbody, his son and grandchildren all as annual prizewinners in Ireland's biggest sailing league.
86 members were in attendance for the prizegiving including no less than five Commodores and the Chairman of Sigma 33 Class Paul Prentice.
The prizes were awarded to :
White Mischief : Tim Goodbody : Sigma Model : Best of Sigma qualities
Leeuwin: Henry Leonard & Bobby Kerr : Corinthian Qualities
Rupert: Dick & Philip Lovegrove : September Series Winner
