#som – May 2015 has been a good month for Dunmore East, with the confirmation that the long-awaited dredging of this pretty fishing/sailing port – a €6 million contract – will swing into action in June, and then from far-off Scotland came the news that one of Waterford Harbour Sailing Club's most popular and enthusiastic skippers had emerged as overall winner of the Silvers Scottish Series 2015.
Rob McConnell is well-known at all Ireland's main sailing centres, as he campaigns his A35 Fool's Gold with targeted campaigns of skill - coupled with sheer joy in sailing - in any event which can be fitted into a busy schedule. Crewed by friends who may be from all parts of Ireland but undoubtedly have a Dunmore East emphasis, he can be relied on to be always in the frame on the leaderboard, and in line with this approach, The Scottish Series was regarded as unfinished business after Fool's Gold finished second overall in 2014.
This time round, racing in the biggest class of all, things were looking good from the start. But such was the competition that it wasn't until after the final race on the three-race concluding day that the WHSC boat could be confirmed as overall winner, and a worthy provider of the Afloat.ie "Sailor of the Month" for May 2015.