Hockey heroine Gillian Pinder visits Lough Owel

It’s been a fantastic and busy summer at Mullingar Sailing Club, whose members had a chance to catch up with world hockey silver medallist Gillian Pinder at the club at Lough Owel last weekend.

Gillian is granddaughter of Mullingar Sailing Club founding member Keith Pinder. The Pinder family have been at the heart of Mullingar Sailing Club since its beginning in 1964, and Gillian herself is a keen sailor, having completed Level 3 sailing qualifications before hockey took over. She now sails occasionally with her club champion father Alan on Lough Owel.

Michael Collinder and Brian Walker flew the flag for Mullingar Sailing Club at the recent GP14 World Championship, at Mount’s Bay Sailing Club, Marazion, west Cornwall. The round trip towing their GP 14 dinghy was nearly 2,000 kilometres – well done lads.

There were about 120 competitors for the five-day racing event and Michael and Brian did very well to be placed sixth in the bronze fleet.

Well done to all our instructors and committee, who did a tremendous job running the club’s summer sailing courses for both adults and children. Sailing continues Sundays and Wednesday evenings.