Light Winds dominate Lough Derg for Keelboat Regatta

Lough Derg Yacht Club (LDYC) once again cemented its reputation as one of Ireland's premier venues for competitive sail racing, hosting the spectacular Craftinsure Freshwater KeelBoat Regatta last weekend.

The event drew a massive fleet of 58 boats from across the country to Dromineer for a memorable weekend of competition.

The regatta was a true test of patience and skill. The Dragon fleet was the only class to get racing in on Friday before the wind disappeared. On Saturday, extremely light conditions, consistent with a high-pressure system, forced Race Officers John Leech and John Roche to postpone all racing, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown on Sunday for the large one-design fleets.

The successful hosting of such a large and complex event highlights the skill and dedication of the LDYC volunteers and reinforces Dromineer's status as a top-tier destination for national sailing events.

The Squib Class saw a massive 38-boat fleet compete, with the overall victory going to Emmet Dalton and Neal Merryon Kerfuffle from Howth Yacht Club.

In the Squib Silver Fleet, local sailors David Adley and Patrick Birdthistle on Super Sonic secured a strong win for the host club in their division, a fine achievement in the competitive fleet. LDYC has a large and active Squib fleet at the club which enjoys club racing and also travels to other national events.

The remaining competition featured 20 other boats competing across the Dragon, SB20, and Flying Fifteen fleets, demonstrating the national appeal of the regatta.

A huge thank you is extended to the event sponsor, Craftinsure, and the legion of over 60 volunteers whose tireless work made the regatta possible. Congratulations to all the winners and participants who travelled to Nenagh for a memorable weekend of sailing.

Lough Derg Yacht Club offers a range of sailing courses for all ages and abilities, providing the perfect start to your own sailing adventure—see www.ldyc.ie for more details.