THE Spring regatta was held on last Saturday in Fenit. There was a very good turnout with eight sailors in the Optimist fleet and seventeen in the main fleet. The main fleet event also included the Peter Greene Trophy for 2007 which had been held over due to the weather. Jack Galvin as OD had a difficult day with the wind rising and falling , and shifting too. But eventually all three races were sailed even if a few people headed off early to watch the rugby!

THE Optimist regatta and Young Helmsman Trophy was a close run thing. All eight sailors performed very well even though for some of them it was their first long event. Peter O’Halloran, Alacoque Daly and Eoin O’Buachalla enjoyed their day on the water. Liam Lynch was fifth, Donagh O’Buachalla fourth and Louse Magowan third. At the front of the fleet Michael Magowan and Fiona Daly had a great tussle but Fiona eventually won out with two race wins to Michael’s one.

In the main fleet it was Thomas Chaix with two race wins to Mark Mulrooney,s one who was the victor. David Lee was third, Diarmuid & Annette Dineen fourth and Michael Lynch fifth. The winner of the Peter Greene Trophy for 2007 was David Lee with Michael Lynch a close second. A prizegiving and barbeque were held in the bar afterwards to round off a long day on the water. Well done to Ian Magowan and his team for organising such a successful event. Racing and training move back to Sunday next weekend.

KEELBOAT racing resumes on Tuesday and Thursday evenings this week and a number of boats are already back in the water with their owners keen to get out racing. Four new boats are expected to be racing this year including a Sunfast 32, a Mini Transat, another Sigma 33 and an X332. It will be interesting to see how the new arrivals fare against the longer established boats and great competition is assured in both classes.

THE committee are actively working on improving the club’s facilities. Recent and expected developments include the resurfacing and lining of the dinghy park with tie down points due to be installed shortly. A new RIB has been purchased and the old one is being refurbished. A new cold store will be fitted in the bar in the next few weeks. The plumbing which has been troublesome for years is being upgraded and new electronically gates are to be fitted at both entrances. We also hope to tidy up the western frontage to the main road and improve the planting around the front door. Don’t wait to be asked to help – you could volunteer!

Remember to book your Summer sailing courses early at www.traleebaysailingschool.com as places  are limited and bookings are already heavy for this year.