Larne Grammar sail to victory in Northern Ireland Schools’ Cup

The Larne Grammar School team, winners of the Schools' Sailing Cup pictured with Principal Mr Wylie. The team are Katie Kane, Hannah Liddle, Jenna McCarlie, Gary Fekkes, Jocelyn Hill, Lucy Kane, Abby Williamson, Emily Hill and Ellen McCarlie. INLT 41-305-PR

Larne Grammar School lifted the Northern Ireland Schools’ Cup at the recent RYA Northern Ireland Youth Championships at Ballyholme Yacht Club.

Nine pupils competed individually in a range of fleets and also as a team for the coveted trophy.

Year Eight pupil Jenna McCarlie, sailing in the topper 4.2 fleet, achieved first place with six straight wins, while in the topper regatta fleet, Year Eight Abby Williamson finished eighth.

Year Nine’s Ellen McCarlie came fourth overall in the topper main fleet and also won the first lady prize. Hannah Liddle achieved 16th place, and Lucy Kane finished 24th.

In the 420, the smallest fleet in the championships, Katie Kane and her crew claimed consistently high results in every race.

In the laser 4.7 fleet, Year 11 pupil, Emily Hill showed her potential to finish runner-up - her best result of the sailing season.

Gary Fekkes took an excellent and well-deserved third place in the Laser Radial fleet against some of the best sailors in Britain and Ireland. Year 13 pupil, Jocelyn Hill, was 13th.

Each individual result was outstanding, however the team’s success moved up a gear when it was announced that Larne Grammar had won the Northern Ireland Schools’ Cup.

The team was pipped to the post by Methody last year, but with such excellent results this time around, the 2013 squad was able to see off strong competition from Campbell College, Regent House and Methody.

The team is delighted to be able to bring home the trophy to the school and is aiming for further success in the future.