Laser 2 Irish Westerns at Mayo Sailing Club
by Shane Kennedy 9 Sep 2003 22:12 UTC
Mayo Sailing Club set the scene for a most spectacular championship. There was a big turn out of sailors trying to improve and defend their rankings in the last event of the season. Wind conditions this weekend varied from a force 4 to 0 which tested competitors on all their sailing techniques.
Saturday’s racing in the heavier air had recent World Laser II Champion Noel Butler lying in 2nd place behind Michael Ennis who was leading by one point. The heavy ocean swell of about seven feet caused a lot of confusion in race 3 by hiding the windward mark and causing the fleet to U turn after sailing blindly beyond it.
Sunday was a day of frustrating sailing, heavy rain and light airs forced many competitors into retiring, however our world champ had different ideas, he wanted to show us how well he deserved his title. Concentration was at a max all round, with some interesting close racing in the top five boats for all three races. Butler of course came out on top, but not without a lot of pressure which was put on him by John chambers who worked hard to gain a first in race 6.
Overall Results:
1st - Noel Butler & Stephen Campion (D.M.Y.C)
2nd - Conor Clancy & James Clancy (R.St.G)
3rd - Michael Ennis & Gavin Doig (R.N.I.Y.C)
1st Female Crew - Catherine Mooney (R.St.G)
1st Female Helm - Johanne Mc Carthy (M.B.S.C)
1st Juniors - Shane Kennedy & Sandy Rimmington (C.H.S.C)