Sailing: It was a case of the bridesmaid finally becoming the bride when Roy Dickson's Cracklin' Rosie claimed the main Class One prize at the Bell Lawrie Scottish Series at Tarbert Loch Fyne.
Dickson's Howth-based Corby 40 has been to all of the Scottish Series since she was built eight years ago and was second in her first appearance at Tarbert.
This week she led the Irish when she took the top award for Class One with a solid scoreline of 3, 1, 2, 2 (4), 1 (RDG), 4, 1 to finish five points clear of Keith Miller's new Swan 45, Crackerjack.
With Jim Barden skippering in the absence of Dickson, who was attending a family wedding, Jamie Boag and Des McWilliam called the shots for sail-maker John Brinkers on the wheel.
The breezes were generally light to moderate - only once were they on their new code three sail - and with plenty of traditional Olympic courses and regular shifts in wind direction Rosie's asymmetric configuration worked well.
"Our success is down to Roy's vision and willingness to keep her competitive over the years. It is a huge testament to him," said McWilliam.
Cracklin' Rosie has had seven major modifications in the last eight years, starting with a carbon rig, lighter displacement, changed keel and rudder and asymmetric kites.
Meanwhile, the next big cruiser regatta in these islands, The Sovereign's Cup, has had its entry list capped at 150 boats. Kinsale Yacht Club do not want the regatta to become too big, wishing to maintain a friendly atmosphere focused on competitors. Repeat entries and feedback from competitors confirm this has been a positive move.
"We're delighted with the response to this year's Sovereign's Cup, and our marina extension has allowed us to accept in excess of past entry levels," said regatta director Pat Pyne.
"However, once our closing date of May 1st passed, we owed it to the sailors already entered to close off the event and start a waiting list."
On the east coast, in a further boost for junior sailing in this country, the RStGYC are running an upgraded version of their previously named "junior regatta", to include older participants up to the age of 21. It will be a two-day event and will take place two days after the club regatta on July 7th-8th.
It will include all the Laser classes, 420s, Mirrors and Optimists. The club is hoping to attract entries from Wales as well as around Ireland.
There will be two courses outside Dún Laoghaire harbour for the older competitors and one course inside the harbour for less experienced juniors.
As an experiment, on the second day different courses to the usual will be used.
One of Britain's top Olympic coaches, Jim Saltonstall, will be observing with a video camera and will debrief afterwards for the four classes.
Tomorrow, the Dún Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club will host their annual regatta on Dublin Bay. The Flying Fifteen class heads to Carrickfergus for its Northern championships, where number one-ranked Seán Craig and Stephen Boyle will seek to continue their winning run in the lead up to August's world championship on Dublin Bay.
