It was on one of the last and best days of the 2024 summer, Quoile Yacht Club held their Gores Island Race. This was the concluding race in the Strangford Lough Youth Series 2024. With bright sunshine and a fair Easterly breeze this race with three starts commenced at 12:00. With an earlier on-shore briefing at 11:00.
The Course
The course being set with a start finish line near the main chanel to Quoile Yacht club. The start was sailing across the line towards the main lough. Turning starboard round Gores Island. Rat Island being close to the turn provided a choice of routes. Following the turn and entering a more restricted and hence more flukey wind pattern, the fleet passed along the narrow channel eventually passing over the causeway to re enter the channel to the club and thence to the start finish line. A second lap commenced by hooking round the pin end buoy and covering the course in the other direction. Finishing on the same line and facing the Quoile pontoon and clubhouse. The slower dinghies were not required to complete a second lap. The causeway did generate problems and several capsises for some dinghies.
This long-standing and famous race is usually held on the Sunday following regatta. It’s a hugely popular event for junior sailors and encompasses a full circumnavigation of Gores Island — tides permitting.
The race attracted 37 dinghies, same as last year. Prizes were awarded for each class and finally the overall Youth Series prizes were awarded.
The overall club shield is shown above and the winning club SLYC competitors are in the photo below.
Strangford Lough Yacht Club won the overall series.
The EDYC competitors at the race appear below and the club came second in the overall series.
The Finish of Youth Series last year on 6 September 2023 – won by SLYC – was well covered by the Down Recorder – link
Details of Gores Island are available from the web link
Many thanks to all who competed in this race and in the Youth Series other events.
Thanks are especially due to the officials, the Rotary Club of Comber, all safety and support boats and those who provided the much welcome catering including hot dogs.
