Newtownards Sailing Club Bank of Ireland Spring Series

Alaitair Duffin and Steven Nelson win the Newtownards Bank of Ireland Spring Series © Avril Torrens

After 14 close races, the winners of the Bank of Ireland Spring Series at Newtownards Sailing Club were Alastair Duffin and Steven Nelson who took 8 first places throughout the series. Second place went to Nigel Sloan and Mark Valentine on equal points with Duffin but with less first places to their credit. Bob Torrens and John McArthur took third place with Johnny Park and Bob Stinson coming in fourth overall.

Torrens and McArthur took an early lead in the series while autumn 2003 series champions, Sloan and Valentine, had boat tuning problems. This was soon resolved and by late May they had got back into their winning ways. Duffin and Nelson never actually lost their winning way ensuring that they won every race with Duffin at the helm, even from seemingly impossible positions after bad starts.

This year’s racing has been the closest yet and aside from Duffin, an Irish Gold Fleet sailor usually finishing in first place, the outcome of any race could not be predicted. The improving standard of racing at the Club has meant that any one of a number of boats is capable of a good result. In the bronze league Ed Bolster and Adrian Galloway are putting in some consistent results to take the honours.

The Club sees an average of tens boats turning out regularly for racing and thanks for this are due to Sailing Secretary Newenham de Cogan for co-ordinating the series as well as to all the rescue boat drivers and race officers for making it an enjoyable two months.

Overall Results:

More Information:

• Newtownards Sailing Club website