SNATCHING victory from the jaws of defeat, Kin, sailed by Simon and Mark Brien and Dallas Caskey, capitalised on the gear failure of overall leader Water Rat in the last race of the Teacher's Dragon keel boat championships yesterday to retain the national title.

Unlucky Water Rat, skippered by Robin Hennessy and crewed by Des Cummins and Anthony Shanks of the Royal Irish YC, needed only to finish ahead of Kin to take the title having sailed a consistent five race series in light and unpredictable winds on Belfast Lough.

In contrast, yesterday's sixth and deciding race was sailed in gale force conditions which proved too much for Water Rat. A genoa tore first but when the Dublin crew discovered a mast crack they retired leaving Kin, on home waters, to navigate her way into first place and with a sufficient overall margin and single discard to take the title.

Third overall in the 24 boat fleet was Tiamat sailed by Geoff Chadwick, Paul Maguire and Billy Riordan of the Royal St George YC.