Squib Spring Sail at East Antrim Boat Club
by Tom Jobling 8 May 2002 11:39 BST
Absolutely Fabulous Squib Spring Sail
Photo © Janice Kirby
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The second Squib Spring Sail to be held at East Antrim Boat Club on Larne Lough not only attracted a top class fleet but a weekend of weather more suited to a summer’s day in Cowes…
After five races in light going, over the 4th & 5th May, Ruan O’Tierneagh & Maureen Ennis in “Absolutely Fabulous” emerged as clear winners counting three wins and a second place.
Whilst the “Ad-Fab” team dominated the 15 strong fleet, the supporting places were anything but predictable in this season-opener sponsored by Ciba Specialty Chemicals PLC.
In the opening race the local boat “Prodigal” sailed by Tom Jobling & George Kirby piped the defenders of the Larne Lough Trophy (Squib half model) Greg & Richard Bell in “Fagin” for second place. For Race 2 however, “Contender” with Nigel Hamilton & Michael Creighton from Royal Ulster YC won the photo finish for the second placing, with “Prodigal” on the windward-leeward course.
After lunch ashore the programme moved to triangles & sausages in an increased SE breeze which attracted the only general recall of the weekend. In this race the “Ad Fab” crew recorded their best win of the day, but in second place came the father and son team of John & Jamie Ritchie from Royal Ulster YC in “Wits End V” with club mates Gary Sims & Paddy Brow in “Kewdeetwo” taking third.
Sunday dawned with the same blue sky, but with a reduced northerly breeze, which saw the fleet out into the North Channel, and around the bays of Islandmagee for their Inshore race. Whilst “Fagin” led the fleet out of Larne Lough, it was the Bangor boat “Wits End V” who led them back in a nerve racking three mile spinnaker run, which culminated in a line abreast finish... Wits End held on, but “Ad Fab” came from near the rear of the fleet the snatch second from “Fagin”!
The final race was a real light weather affair which eventually saw the RNIYC boat “Toys for the Boys” with Peter Wallace & Catherine McQuitty take the gun, from…. “Ad Fab”, and “Fagin”.
This Squib Spring Sail is clearly established within the Irish calendar, and at the conclusion of the day the EABC Vice Commodore Rory O’Neill reminded the competitors that the entire pre-event organisation comes to nought if the race team do not perform. Dr Mike Hill and his crew were exemplary and transformed this outing into a text book Open Meeting. The V.Commodore also conveyed the competitors appreciation the full sponsors namely, Ciba Specialty Chemicals PLC, Pencro Structural Engineering (the crane), UK McWilliam & Roy Wilson Cars.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Boat Name | Helm | Crew | Club | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | Absolutely Fabulous | R. O’Tierneagh | M. Ennis | RNIYC | 4.25 |
| 2nd | Fagin | G Bell | R Bell | RNIYC | 13 |
| 3rd | Wits End V | J Ritchie | J Ritchie | RUYC | 20.75 |
| 4th | Prodigal | T. Jobling | G. Kirby | EABC | 22 |
| 5th | Seven of Nine | G. Patterson | D. Caskey | RNIYC | 23 |
| 6th | Contender | N. Hamilton | M. Creighton | RUYC | 23 |