Happy New Millenium. 2000 has already taken off at a rate of knots – can you last the pace? We’re expecting over 40 boats on the water this year. The silver fleet has now exceeded the gold fleet in numbers so there may be some relegation on the way. (There’s a waiting list for transfers from the (g)old fleet to the silver fleet).

Brian and John O’Regan, Declan and Fergal Connolly, Jim Nicholson and Chris, Jim Blaney, Grattan Donnolly, Kevin Lande, Kevin Morrissey, Niall Monks. Also welcome back to Roger Bannon, John Hudson and Ciaran O’Dywer. There is an extensive training and orientation programme for new members this year. Speaking of new members, congratulations to Ian and Martine on the birth of their beautiful baby girl, Aoibheann. See you next year, Ian!

Mick Connolly from Clontarf Yacht and Boat club has been voted Fireballer of the season. Mick was rudely awakened one Saturday morning in January by Peter Houlihan’s ever enthusiastic request of "Mick – we need your boat".

As many of you know, ‘Smoking Gun’ was written off by a speeding Golf Gti on the way to the container port.

30 minutes later, before Mick has truly woken up, the papers were signed and Mick’s Fireball was loaded into the container headed for Thailand. Reports from Clontarf indicate that he still thinks it was all a dream. Mick – Thanks a bunch- we’ll send you a postcard.

We extend our sympathy to Louis and Rosemarie on the death of Louis’s dad in February.

Niamh