In true proverbial fashion, the weather for the races in Part 1 of the Antrim Boat Club Winter Series came in like a lion and out like a lamb. And for the last two races in the series winds were light and the water was flat on Lough Neagh, the largest lake in the British Isles. Antrim Boat Club lies on the northern shore.
Race 5
The north-easterly wind dictated the finish position, which unusually was in front of the clubhouse, so the large crowd gathered to see Santa had the added pleasure of watching the racing close up on the short course.
Light weather series finish to Part 1 of the Antrim Boat Club Winter Series
Karl Thrower in the Trapper TS240 Murphy and Peter Frazer’s 323 Tictac were first away. Unusually FAToo, Charlie McAllister and Jeff Harrison’s Limbo 6.6 started late but came through the line at speed and found just enough space to squeeze between the committee boat and the Achilles 24 Tenacious (Alfie Mayrs). Andy Speedy in the MG25 Corinthian risked a port hand start and found clean air.
Peter Frazer second overall in Part 1 of the Antrim Boat Club Winter Series with Marian McAllister
A wind shift before the second windward leg saw FAToo taking a long port tack followed by Tictac, who likes fewer tacks as possible as he was short-crewed. Corinthian, Murphy and Tenacious went up the centre and it seemed the latter plan was the better as FAToo lost some time. Tictac lost out and fell within the clutches of the ever-improving Murphy, who managed to get in front of him at the windward mark. These three had been sailing nip and tuck throughout.
On the last beat, Tictac took second place over the water but handicap shuffled the fortunes once again, as Alfie Mayrs in Tenacious clinched second place behind FAToo.
Race 6
Again for the last race in the series, the wind was in short supply. Although the first half results were all but settled, the races all count towards the complete series, so points were important.
With the wind in the north, temperatures were very low and ice had to be cleared off the committee boat deck. The lough level had dropped considerably, and TicTac grounded in the river mouth but wriggled off to join the fleet who were waiting for at least a hint of a breeze to start the race.
The Race Officer Alan Reilly took a gamble when a suggestion of a breeze showed on the water, and the race got slowly underway. FAToo started off on port, and it appeared to have been the right choice, as the other boats were in a small bunch with only enough energy in the wind to drive the windward boat, TicTac. Tenacious, with Alfie Mayrs at the helm, starved of wind, tacked from the lee of that group and passed behind Tictac into what he expected was clean air. From then on it was a slow and painful negotiation, finding what little breeze there was, with TicTac first at the windward mark.
Charlie McAllister and Jeff Harrison’s Limbo 6.6, FAToo under spinnaker on Lough Neagh in Part 1 of the Antrim Boat Club Winter Series
Ever so slowly, FAToo began reeling in the upstarts who had dared to better her on the beat and by the time they reached the gybe mark, the race officials had decided to shorten the race to just one lap. First over the line was TicTac but FAToo now only seconds behind, won on handicap.
The return to the river and the prize giving was not without drama; Tictac again went aground and had to be towed off by the committee boat, but skipper Peter Frazer, was happy enough as his efforts rewarded him with second place.
The event was sponsored by the local branch of Howden Joinery, and the second half of the Winter Series starts on Sunday 29th Jan.
Part 1 of the Antrim Boat Club Winter Series results
