Carolyn McCaldin

The weekend of 19/20 October saw the GP14 fleet return to Lough Erne Yacht Club for the Hot
Toddy, the final event of the 2024 calendar. The event was kindly supported by Fermanagh & Omagh District Council the Boatyard Distillery.

The warnings of Storm Ashley due to batter the country did not deter the 34 teams that entered the event. The 34 entries were made up of 3 local Lough Erne Yacht Club boats and 31 visiting boats, some of whom had travelled from as far as Tralee to sail on the beautiful waters of Lower Lough Erne. The fact that this many visitors travelled despite the forecast is testament to the renowned event management of the club.

On Saturday four of the events planned 6 races took place in near perfect sunny, dry conditions in a shifty southerly wind across the lake.

Race 1 was a battle between Sligo YC teams with the Irish youth champion team of David Evans & William Draper coming out on top from Niall Henry & Ossian Geraghty. Father & son team Keith & Mateo Louden, Lough Foyle YC, took 3 rd place. The bronze fleet was won by Lough Ernes brother & sister pairing Adam & Emily Torrens.

Race 2 went to Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club’s Ross Kearney & Daniel Nelson again from Henry & Geraghty with another Sligo sister & brother team of Jessica & Mark Greer in 3 rd place.

Race 3 was again a battle between Evans & Draper, Kearney & Nelson and Henry & Geraghty teams with the 3 finishing in that order. Unfortunately, the Royal North pair suffered a freak capsize at the final windward mark resulting in them losing their huge lead. 1 st bronze fleet boat was again the Torrens’.

The 4th race of the day turned out to be the final race of the event due to Sunday’s storm. Sligo team Paddy O’Connor with guest crew Richard Street took this race after a late start and some bad luck earlier in the day. Evans & Draper beat Kearney & Nelson and ultimately won the event. Top bronze in this race went to The Greers giving them 4 th overall and 1 st in the bronze fleet. Equal on points with this pair were the first Lough Erne Yacht Club boat of Adam & Emily Torrens finishing 2 nd in the bronze fleet and 5 th overall.

After a mentally demanding day on the water, the crews were welcomed ashore with a “Hot Toddy courtesy of sponsors The Boatyard Distillery followed by an evening of food and banter in the bar. At the prize giving, winners David & William thanked event organiser Michael Brines and all the Lough Erne Yacht Club volunteers and sponsors for a superb event.

October 19 / 20

Final Results Below

October 19 / 20

Our NEXT event is the Hot Toddy in Lough Erne Yacht Club the weekend of October 19 / 20.

Hot Toddy entry is now open. Please enter now. Free gin after sailing on Saturday for first 50 entries!

Please get you entries in asap to help the organisers with their preparation.

CLICK HERE for NOR and Online Entry