A great event. Things looked a bit doubtful in Culmore due to lack of wind and an ebb tide. Boats needed to be towed up past the new bridge, but when we got there the wind came in and we had a great race.
10 boats sailed, including James Campbell from CYC, great to see him in LFYC again. (LFYC wish him well on his new venture in Glasgow University). Great to see all boats , many thanks to all who sailed.
The race was started by a Musket gunner in full period dress for the Siege times. The start line was in Rosses bay at a point near the first navigation mark after the new bridge. Anton H got a good lead but could not quete hold on and Ken and Davy Louden passed him in the last couple of boat lengths. Davy was quick with the knife and efficiently broke the boom. Congratulations to Ken and Davy, at least that’s Derry saved for another year!
Many thanks to all the rescue boat drivers (Liam H, Peter F, George D) who offered everyone a tow up and then back down again.
Many thanks to Danny G for making all necessary arrangements on the water and to Joan D and John O’K for keeping everything moving well on shore.
And of course many thanks to the Apprentice Boys of Derry for hosting the event.
Ken: “Get yer knife ready”, Davy: ” Aye”
Musket Man
Anton H, Governor Brownlee, Ken and Davy L
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Notice of Race:
The Mountjoy Challenge – Breaking of the boom race
In 1690 the Siege was of Derry was lifted when Captain Browning and longboats from his ship the Mountjoy broke the boom and saved the City from certain starvation.
On the 6th of August the Apprentice Boys of Derry and LFYC are hosting a sailing race to break the boom again. A boom will be laid near the pontoon in the City Centre. Dinghys (all classes**) will race to break the boom.
This is an open invitation event. As this is a special race, a unique event no handicap will be considered, it is a simple race where the first boat to break the boom wins.
Boats should observe normal racing rules and Lough Foyle navigation Marks. (Skippers should arm themselves or their crew with suitable boom breaking equipment)
This is the third time the boom has been broken, first time being in 1690 the second in 2013. As per the 2013 edition Williamite, Jacobite and mixed boats are welcome!
Boats should gather in Rosses Bay (near the Foyle Bridge at 6.15pm for a race start at 6.30pm). To get to Rosses Bay in good time boats should set sail from Culmore no later than 5.30
The boom will be laid from the corner of the new pontoons in the city centre to a mark in the channel. After the race competitors are invited to tie up on the pontoon and come ashore for prize giving and light refreshments. We will sail back to Culmore at approx. 8.30 – 9.00pm
*NOR by Authority of the Commodore and Committee of LFYC
(**All classes, for example: Laser, Phantom, GP14, Mirror, Solo, RS400, 49er, RS700, Hobie Cat, Wanderer, Lough Foyle Punts)
Billy, the Musket man who started the race in 2013