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In 2006 we are building on the well established timetable of organised races in May/June /August September/October.
Sailing is fun, you don't need to be an Olympic Gold Medalist to take part. The programme this year is focusing on fun/family events in addition to the established race programme.
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Annual Rathlin Island Race and BBQ
Following on from the last few years of fantastic support and great craic, CYC's Rathlin Weekend takes place this coming weekend. Last year again we saw boats full of families and battle hardened crews. Boats that used sail power alone and those with only dirty great engines came to the Island, and all are encouraged to bring their cheer, humour and BBQ's again this year.
Rathlin Weekend 19th August 2006
Start Time 1300 off Portstewart
Communications on Channel 8
Plan to BBQ on the Pier in the evening.
High Water Dover 0826 (neaps).
As always please pass on the news to all potential participants.
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2006 Cruiser Programme
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- May 27th Raft Race Weekend: Racing will take place in Portrush, to include the RNLI Pennant Race forming part of this weekend of craic.
- June 10/11th J24 Northern Championship. Portrush
- June 17th/18th Passage Race/Club Cruise to Islay: This event is aimed to encourage the maximum number of boats racing (or just cruising-in-company) to Port Ellen. Power boat/RIB users are welcome to join us for this trip.
- June 24th: Inishtrahull Race will be followed by a BBQ on the island and an overnight stay on Inishowen.
- August 4th Gigha Race. Race to the island of Gigha, with an overnight stay, returning on the Sunday.
- August 19th see what has become our best-supported event - The Annual Rathlin Race (and of course the now obligatory BBQ on the quay).
- To end the summer in style, the Club Regatta will take place over the weekend of the 26th August.
The seven races of the Autumn Series kicks off on 2nd September - 14 October 06. Two of these weekends will involve joining in with the fleets at Moville and Ballycastle. (Da tes are yet to be finalised.) This year's programme should provide plenty of opportunity for racing and fun so, whatever your boat/ability/experience.
Good luck and fair winds!
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A quick reflection on the CYC Regatta.
Lots of thanks were issued on Saturday evening, and all greatly deserved. The racing was great, the facilities, food, prizes and welcome were excellent, demonstrating the effort and expense that went
into the event over the preceding weeks.
The Starts
What a sight from shore that must have been. Thirteen "yachts" jousting for position on a line that was successful on the Atkins Diet! Then onto a good short legged course where we needed our protein for grinding in headsails and yelling "Water", "Starboard", and "Go Away Please".
Geoff, skipper of the Committee Boat summed it up very eloquently in his short speech on Saturday evening. He noted that as a "motor boater" he found observing the starts, finishes, and bits in between, not only exciting, but downright dangerous on occasions. The vigour with which Geoff spoke reinforced how impressed he was with the "yachties". Thanks Geoff, for your support and very kind words. We'll have you fully converted to a 'yachtie" soon.
How racing brings out the Jeckal and Hyde in us all. I can only speak of my own encounters, and I'm sure we all have our own stories. Remember back to the prize giving and that genteel skipper with trousers rolled up above his knees, always gracious and accommodating. . . .
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At the start of the last race, I decided to chance my luck. I decided to steam down on a full reach and tuck up around the committee boat. My sturdy crew poised to grind in the genny, a light blue boat loomed in my gun-sights, then accelerated towards the line.The door was well and truly shut!A loudhailer was not required as it's shapely legged skipper "informed" me that there may not be room. Forced to back off we tacked Ionia away and started at the back of the fleet. Immediately after the race, or maybe even during it, my telephone rang . . . . "Very sorry about the start" the leggy voice apologised, "I get a little aggressive when racing, maybe I should have let you in". The lesson to learn here folks is whenever you've broken the rules - shout at your crew, display total indignation and make the guy you've wronged, feel guilty! So now I must apologise to the skipper of that particular race horse, not just for barging, but for not phoning him first.
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We heard tales of David and Goliath during the second race, not at the start line but when rounding the inshore mark. One of the boats, took a dislike to the Committee Boat and attacked it for some unknown reason. Reality is more cruel than myth, and Goliath won this battle, sending the "piper" home wounded to play in the sand, missing the next two races.
Two Gannets took part in the event causing confusion on the radio. Blue Gannet raced all three races, skippered and crewed by the one person. Watching her tack and joust for position in the thick of the action, Joe must have grown ten arms and legs. No doubt on Sunday he must have ached enough for five people. White Gannet, sailed by Big Brother McCann, Daughter McCann and another Captain Joe, tore round the course.
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On more than one occasion I looked astern to find his anchor inches from my head, and a huge grin on the skippers face. And we thought he was the sensible brother.Many commented on the graceful sight of perfectly set transparent sails on Panther. Ivor won many prizes on the day, including overall winner of the Regatta and the superb Crannagh Cup. However he must win the prize for the most outstanding hat. A little pink and white flowery number.
Mahuri gave Panther a run for her money though, with a first and two seconds. However he did seem to stop for a wee look around at some of the marks. I think he couldn't believe his eyes when he saw Ivor's hat, it matched the boots of one of his crew!
We had our own races with Delphine, Gannett and Lipitzana, they unwittingly kept us focused and driving as hard as we could. One minute Delphine was ahead, the next beside us. The purple and black spinnaker was hoisted, jibed, lowered and packed repeatedly, all with the quiet cool of real professionals. Gannett was behind him, ahead of him, alongside him. All the while, Davey, my crew, tactician, helmsman, was whispering, they're catching us, we're catching them. And with this race in a race, we all gave Panther and Mahuri a run for their money. Just a word of advice to any potential crew on Lipitzana: bring a spanner!
The skippers, crews and shore teams of Armeria, Babac, Carnival, Delphine, Gannett, Gannett, Jayne E, Lipitzana, Mahuri, Panther, Sandpiper, Sham and Scorpio had their own stories to tell on Saturday evening, and indeed their own versions of the same stories. Everyone seemed to enjoy the racing, barbecue, craic and banter. With everyone receiving a prize, my youngest crew is so proud, that prize is under his pillow and hat glued to his head!
And so, on behalf of the Rear Commodore and all involved, thanks for turning out yet again and making it happen. Here's to good racing in the Autumn Series and hopefully we'll see plenty of boats on the water.
Johnny. Out
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Rathlin Weekend
A big Thank You to everyone who braved the scorching rays of Saturday to create another great Rathlin Weekend.
It was really hard work lying on the deck of the boat trying not to sizzle in the sunshine, the glow from David Maybin's face was evidence of total failure on that front. The male contingent demonstrated their culinary skills, as all males do, around the BBQ, as we chewed the fat of the days events.
Turnout was brilliant. At 0850 Portstewart Bay was full of sails, boats approached from the East, from the West and from the North, crowding the start line. Jim Millar arranged for Seamus Carey to drop a buoy and anchor his power boat to form a line. Jim provided Seamus and his team with the start sequence to issue over the radio, with written instructions to the team as to when to call Coleraine Boats etc. Just to play safe, they read everything out over the radio, providing us all with a little giggle to start the day. Thank you to Seamus and his team for working with us and their support. Well, we needed that giggle.....
With lumpy seas left over from the previous days wind, and very little wind on Saturday to justify them, most boats fell foul of Poseidon's Poison. But the junior members of the crew, consoled their parents, telling them it would soon be over and they would motor the rest of the way. The wind fell away to next or nothing and most boats retired. Three boats persevered, Jaynee, Jasmine and Mahuri, working the little breeze there was and finished under sail. Well done to skippers and crew.
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Three boats from Donegal joined in the race, Mageara, Firecracker and Delta Blue, arriving at the start line about 45 minutes after the start gun. They were happy to run with the same start time as us and were included in the results. Again many thanks to Bill McCann for encouraging participation and dragging people out of bed at insane hours of the morning.
Sandpiper left Coleraine after 1500 and joined us in time for the BBQ. Keith Gilmore was so determined to get to Rathlin that he left the previous Saturday..... mind they left from Dartmouth having just become the proud owner of a new boat. Health to sail Keith.
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As if by magic, our commodore appeared on the island and I've called him "Merlin". Did he sail? Did he Rib? Did he fly? He did bring a smile. More labels were issued, some not repeatable, but one stands out . . . . . "Cutlass Bill" . . . . a.k.a. William McCausland.
The "Likely Lads" - Arnold, Richard and Ivor went for a walk and returned stiff, sore and in need of refreshment. Their wives were becoming concerned as to the "boys" lateness, knowing that male bravado would prevent any throwing in the towel and requesting they turn back. Meanwhile Davy (Mandarin) Walpole, was taking a bus tour of Rathlin and waved as the bus was overtaken by Kevin Balmer on the uphill stretch of the tour!!!
As all this silliness was taking place, this skipper settled down to a cooked lunch, a wee ciggy and snooze on deck, entering the race for catching rays!
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At this stage, due to the early start and especially because most came with family and friends, it is only fair that all boats get a mention,. So I attempt to remember and name all the boats, if I've left any out please forgive, as Rathlin Weekend does not promote healthy memory cells!
Armeria; Babac; Carnival; Carrick Spray; Dancer; Gannet; Holly Blue; Ionia; Jasmine; Jaynee; Kyrstal; Mahuri; Mandarin; Moonfire; Panther; Sandpiper.
We were also joined by: Pierre with his catamaran, and two motor yachts from Coleraine. A few other club members appeared on the island in the same manner as our commodore - as if by magic. Many thanks to all for making the event a superb combination of sailing and social interaction.
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Results: Three of our own boats finished under sail in the following order on the water - Mahuri, Jasmine and Jaynee. The Donegal boats, also numbered three - Mageara, Firecracker and Delta Blue. The corrected finishing order was:
1 - Mahuri
2 - Jasmine
3 - Firecracker
4 - Mageara
5 - Jaynee
6 - Delta Blue
The bar on Rathlin sponsored trophies for the first three places, many thanks to Peter and Johnny from McCuaig's Bar (and to our Rear Commodore for having the arrangements made well in advance).
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The trip home on Sunday provided flat seas and plenty of breeze for a cracking sail home, and no doubt early nights for all....
Next weekend is our Regatta weekend - details to follow very soon by email. I am away all week so Alan McCann will be in touch to give all the details.
On behalf of Alan and myself, thank you to everyone who supported the club this weekend and I hope you all enjoyed as much as me.
Please forward this to anyone not on the email list above and ask them to forward their contact details to myself or Alan McCann.
Johnny. Out
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Starting boats -
Jasmine,
Mahuri,
Ostracon,
Ionia,
Sandpiper
A big thank you to everyone who was able to join in the Islay Race last weekend.
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The skippers briefing on Thursday night promised light winds and flat seas....
We all know that when things go wrong onboard a "pleasure" boat, they go wrong in multiples!
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Race winners, Mahuri
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Out over a lumpy Bar Mouth, the lumps just seemed to grow! Especially when below deck.
The well organised start line (pot markers) had a day off...
Ten minutes below deck trying to find the radio under bacon, eggs and socks, left this head more concerned with preventing breakfast making a return appearance. Subsequently broadcasting new start details on channel 16 led to this skipper with a face changing from resembling a starboard light, to a very port hand light, with a telling off from our omnipresent Belfast Coastguard - my apologies!
Not to worry, that other intangible being on the water - Mahuri - soon had us organised and a fine start was executed by all.
Jasmine seemed to enjoy the lumps so much, she performed a little circular dance while the skipper chatted merrily on the phone - tales of malfunctioning autopilots and 360 degree wind shifts didn't fool us!!!!
For those of us without fancy wind speed indicators, a need to tighten hat bands was technology enough. A quick crossing awaited.
By the time we had passed Rathlin, the lumps were just bumps, and green faces smiled once more.
Just over five hours saw us tied up in Port Ellen. Tales of bravery recanted and wounds were attended, as Sandpiper's crew scrubbed the blood off the deck in fine sunshine.
The White Hart beckoned, with warm food stowed in empty tummies, the race results were announced:
1st boat under 30 feet in length - Sandpiper
1st short-handed boat - Jasmine
1st Beneteau - Ionia
Winner of Islay Race 2005 and Seaton Trophey - Mahuri
A race packed with winners - well done to all.
A big thank you to the White Hart Hotel for sponsoring a prize of a bottle of whiskey and to the staff of Laphroaig Distillery for delivering the other prizes during their lunch hour.
The evening was topped off with an attempt at Strip the Willow, with Mitch willingly (worryingly) joining the ladies side to make up numbers. As for the crew of Ionia, namely Navigator Seaton and Captain Bligh- our enthusiasm far exceeded our talents!
As with all recollections of voyages, this tale may be prone to a little licence, but rest assured, by Annual Dinner, those lumps will become mountains.....
Johnny
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