Crosbie Cup 2009 - an event report

Lough Derg Yacht Club proved to be a very successful venue for the 2009 Crosbie Cup which was held over two days, Saturday 25^th and Sunday 26^th July.  Clearly the Club and its volunteers put a huge amount of planning and organization into the event and also worked successfully to get a variety of wind conditions over the two days.

Day 1 –  The winds were due to blow on Sunday so the Race Officer advised all the main fleet sailors that it would be his aim to get four races on the first day.   The sailors launched promptly and the constant 5 to 10 knot winds ensured four good races were completed with the sailors ashore by 16.30hrs.  The Race Officer set fair courses and with small winds shifts constantly coming in over the course the sailors had to work hard to hold their positions in the fleet 66 sailors. 

After the  first day’s racing and with one discard operating the top five places overnight were held by  Sarah Cooney (Snr LDYC), Jack Lee (Snr GBSC), Sorcha Donnelly (Jnr SSC/BYC) , Harry Craig (Jnr RSGYC), and Andrew Levie (Snr LDYC).

Day 2 – The sailors launched again straight after their 9.30 briefing. The wind had picked up as promised and there was a good 15/18 knots of wind, gusting 22+ on the course for the first race.  It was physically very demanding with 44 of the 66 sailors finishing the first race.  Cillian Joyce (Snr LDYC) controlled the race and won comfortably.

In the final race the wind picked up a little more after the start and the sailors were required to show strength and endurance with only 21 completing the course after the previous gruelling Race 5.  All the sailors’ skills were tested with Thomas Natin (Snr MYC), winning Race 6 while giving all watching a command performance on how to handle an Optimist  in strong winds.

After six races Andrew Levie (LDYC), on equal points with Callum Maher (SDC), won the Crosbie Cup. (Click on Results for complete results of the event)

This event is not just about winning. Many of the sailors were tested to their extreme on both days.  Saturday was good for mental concentration while Sunday was about boat handling in strong wind.  With the variety of wind conditions, the sailors learnt lots about their current capabilities.  It will be interesting for them all to see how well their sailing skills develop over the next twelve months with continued training.

The variety of weather conditions, good race management, and a lot effective onshore organization made for a great sailing event. The Club provided an excellent meal in the clubhouse on Saturday night which helped immeasurably to keep the centre of activity at the Club where sailors and their families were able to put names to familiar faces.  

Regatta Fleet

 A large Regatta Fleet of 59 sailors took to the water on Saturday, with a lot of first timers at an event in the mix.  The launching team did a fabulous job assisting some of the sailors get over their ‘leaving land’ nerves. There was a coaching session with a  1:8 ratio  coach to sailors which ensured all thoughts of land were forgotten. With the sailors completing four races on Saturday, there is no doubt that the event was a success. 

Sunday morning started with onshore activities. By late morning, the wind strength seemed to be beyond the capabilities of these young sailors.  However, the senior coach for the event, John White, knew better - as always when it comes to the capabilities of young sailor.   The top twenty sailors from the previous day’s racing sailed out to a relatively sheltered area of the lake and were given an exhilarating training session that they are unlikely to forget for a long time.

(Click on Results for complete results of the event)