Sailing in Blessington started off on Easter Monday with very strong winds. I was asked to take one of the new-comers to cat sailing out to show him that it was too strong for him. I ended up showing that it was to strong for everyone by capsizing three times and ripping his main sail. As if this wasn’t proof enough Dermot McHugh & Cathy MacAleavey went out but decided it was too strong and turned for home. Dermot still found time to throw in a capsize.

Week 2 was better with a force 3, which resulted in great racing. Week 3 was very light and gave great light wind racing. But for Week 4 the wind was back.

1^st Neil Mangan & Emer/Pat/Paul – Dart 18

2^nd Dermot McHugh & Julie Mcguire –Dart Hawk

3^rd Dermot & Gary Mangan – Dart 16

The Blessington Dart 18 fleet is back after a few years of quietness after the top group of sailors headed off to sail Hawks or 1720’s. This year we have five new people sailing and the return of Adrian Foote. Pat Winters bought a Dart 18 at the end of last year and with some winter training is now ready for racing. Eddie Burgess (the new comer that I took for a sail) bought a Dart 18 with "Two pink Bottoms" from Cork and is eager for sailing. Ian Tompson, a friend of Dave & Susan Lynch, bought the Dart 18 that was out in Dun Laoghaire. James Stewart bought Fergus Madden’s boat after the boat show and Fergus bought Philip O’Sullivan’s. Philip has moved on to a Dart Hawk – reason - extra buoyancy. Joe Rothwell, a friend of Eddie Burgess bought Paul Hick’s Dart 18 and has just joined Blessington.

Also we’d like to welcome back Hurricane 4.9 sailor now Dart 16 sailor Robert MacKay. So interesting times ahead.

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