 Marcus Lynch of Rita collects first prize from Clontarf YBC's Ciaran Hynes Photo: Brian Turvey |
 Rita crossing the finish line at Clontarf Photo: W M Nixon |
| On Saturday 25th July, nine of the Howth Seventeens fleet took part in Clontarf Yacht & Boat Club's annual event which was fortified by a fresh sea breeze as the afternoon developed. Well done to Rita and crew who held their lead across the north of Dublin Bay to finish first in Clontarf. An energetic rock-hopping beat along Howth's northern and eastern shoreline against the tide made for very close cross-tacking and exciting sailing - a line that has been followed by these boats for over a century of sailing. The fleet showed it's colour with spinnakers and topsails as it raced from the Baily to the finish line at the North Bank mark at the top of the river Liffey. The Seventeen's 'elder member' Bryan Lynch reminded CYBC's Ciaran Hynes that the class has been following this race route since 1929, no doubt attracted by the secret recipe for the club's famous 'brack' as well as their generous hospitality. |