Firstly apologies for not including an update on the IDRA14 Northerns sailed in Rostrevor in last weeks Racing Update. Check out the link to the full event report. Congratulations to Alan Henry and Simon Revil on their victory. Alan and Simon were joined by 3 other Sutton boats at the event including Charles Sargent, Alan Carr and John Lynch in what is a big year for the IDRA14 Class. 
Last Sunday, despite the continual rain we saw a decent turnout for racing with IDRA14, GP14, Optimists and Lasers. The day was supposed to include a BBQ to celebrate the 70th birthday of the IDRA14 Class and while the weather did not hinder 2 great races between Alan Carr/Dana Kilroy, Charles Sargent/Caoimhe Flemming and Gordan Kelly/Mark Masterson the celebrations were reduced to mugs of tea and a marvellous birthday cake make by Catherine Sargent. This weekend will see the celebrations continue in Clontarf with the annual Open Event.
The 3 GP14 saw the new boats of Katie Dwyer/Michelle Rowley and Hugh Gill/Andy Johnston put in their place by Alan Blay/David Johnston in both races. The lads are showing the benefits of regular training and hours on the water, while the new boats are still getting tuned up. I can certainly say I did’nt help Hugh cause as his stand in crew when the wind popped up and proceeded to trawl the old spinnaker. No damage done and boat certainly is quick in a straight line if not round the corners with this crew. This coming weekend see the GP14 fleet in East Down YC for the Ulster Championships. Good luck to the Sutton competitors.
Still on GP14, last week also saw the GP14 Scottish Championships sailed in Arran. Former member Peter Collings, now studying in Edinburgh, crewed for GP14 International Class President Duncan Greenhalgh and took 2nd place at the event. Great to see Peter still sailing GP14 and hopefully we will see him back in Sutton at some stage soon.
Unfortunately for our Club Secretary Ian McCormack, the Volvo Round Ireland race ended early with Applegreen Sail4Kids forced to retire into Cork with sail and gear failure.