UCC sailing club turns forty | Emma Geary

    UCC Sailing Club celebrated their 40th anniversary on Saturday, the 29th of September, combining the Anniversary celebrations with their annual fundraising event. The charity chosen this year was the Joe English Trust. Joe English is a local international sailor who has tragically developed Alzheimer’s dementia at a very young age.

    The celebration took the form of a team-racing regatta and a dinner that evening in the Royal Cork Yacht Club in Crosshaven. Alumni, current UCCSC members and friends were invited to participate in the event. 12 teams took part in the regatta, which meant that 72 sailors competed. Firefly boats were provided for the 3 vs 3 team racing and the six person teams had to be made up of at least four alumni or present UCC students. Sailors from UL, UCD, NUI Maynooth and Trinity made up the numbers.

      The day was blessed with perfect weather and it went off as a great success. Racing took place on the Curlane Bank in Crosshaven, under the stewardship of race officers Rob O’Leary and Nathan Kirwan. After a hard fought final a mixed team consisting of Johnny Leahy, Sonia Minihane, Billy Clarke, Maddie O’Connell, Aiden McLaverty and Izzy Leahy were the eventual winners. Runners up were Rob Lehane, Alex Carey, Richard Roberts, Niamh Connolly, Cian O’Regan and Dave Healy. The Silver Fleet Final was won by Andrew O’Donaghue, Kirsty O’Flynn, Michael Walsh, Iarlaith Kennedy, Conor Lyden and Caroline Murnane.

    A great day’s racing was topped off by a great night and UCC Sailing Club was delighted with the success of the event; the sailors are already looking forward to UCCSC’s 41st anniversary regatta next year.