The Howth Seventeen Footers held their Annual Dinner & Prizegiving at Howth Yacht Club on Friday December 4th.
The busy 2009 season provided an embarrassment of riches for two of the most campaigned boats - Oona and Leila. 'Oona's' Peter Courtney collected the Mark Lynch Trophy recognising his 'clean sweep' of the three club Summer Series, while 'Leila's' Roddy Cooper and crew were awarded the Brendan Cassidy Cup for winning the handicap category overall. The 'Leila' table also gathered a multitude of other trophies following timely performances in many of the Seventeen's 'Special Races'.
The traditionally boisterous annual event did not disappoint the gathered guests and the distributed silverware ensured that the revellers all got their share of the various concoctions from a range of trophies, some of which have been awarded around the class since the late 19th century.
The class thanked outgoing class captain Brian Turvey following two years at the post and welcomed 'Echo's' Harriette Lynch as incoming captain as well as John Curley as vice captain. Harriette is the third member of her direct family to take this post following her father Bryan in the 80's and brother Marcus a decade later.
The class look forward to the 2010 racing season with vigour and will decide on their calendar of events at their spring meeting before the boats are launched in late April.
Boyd No 1 Cup: Harriette presents father Bryan Lynch with the Boyd No 1 Cup - a trophy which in 1894 was originally called the 'Nash Cup'.
It was won outright by W.H Boyd following three victories in Malahide and he later presented it to the 17 class.
Mark Lynch Trophy: 'Oona's' Peter Courtney accepts the Mark Lynch Trophy for his 'clean sweep' in the club summer series.
The 'yellow boat' certainly marked her 100th year in winning form.
Brendan Cassidy Cup: 'Leila's' Ian Jackson determined to complete the job with the Brendan Cassidy Cup following the boat's winning overall handicap for the season.
(Left to right: Ruth Delap, Roddy Cooper, Ian Jackson and Trish Jones)
President's Salver: Harriette and 'Pauline's' Aileen O'Doherty with the President's Salver which is presented to the winner of three special races on handicap.
Wilkinson Trophy: New Class Captain Harriette Lynch ensures that Chris Malcolm collects the 'Wilkinson Trophy' for the Under 30s race.
Chris could be competing in this race for a number of years to come ...
