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The two day Event got under way
at midday on Saturday 12th August with just under 30 yachts competing
in three separate classes. Yachts had come from all over the west
coast to take part, some using the opportunity to sail in the O'Sullivans
Marine 100 mile race the previous weekend to make the journey to
Clifden a potential prizewinner.
Conditions were perfect for racing with 20kts of wind and plenty
of sunshine when OOD Eddie Cats set the marks for the first race,
and a very competitive afternoon of racing was had. It can be seen
from the results and times that there was some very close competition.
Two windward/leeward courses were run on Saturday, and a very exhilarated
gang of competitors came ashore to await the results of the first
days sailing, enjoying a mountain of barbeque food and a few pints
at the clubhouse as well. While the yachts were at sea dinghy races
took place and some exciting competition was had there too with
a very mixed fleet of craft crewed by some keen and able youngsters.
Despite the forecast of wet weather, Sunday was fine and sunny with
a stiff breeze of wind blowing a shade west of north. Today there
were shore activities for the family such as face painting and welly
throwing. Also two more dinghy races took place.
The first yacht race was again windward/leeward which more than
warmed everybody up for a coastal race around Cruagh Island ( which
is north-west of Clifden Bay).
Class 3 on Sunday had a general recall on the first race which made
their start very exciting.
At the start of the coastal race the wind freshened just before
the gun to make a challenging start to the race, things resulted
in general recall and restart. After the restart the boats stayed
bunched together for the early part of the race and then a number
of the yachts tacked inshore others coosing an offshore course,
which then spread the fleet out and by the time they rounded Cruagh
Island for the downwind leg they were well spread.On the downwind
leg back to Clifden Bay there were a lot of colourful spinnakers
flying. The finish line for this race was under the Clubhouse and
spectators were treated to the sight of the fleet running at full
speed downwind to the finish under spinnakers.
A patient crowd of sailors and competitors alike waited on the final
details of the results. The prize-giving took place at half past
seven with Paul Ryan and Commodore Julia Awcock presenting a mountain
of prizes to the winners in front of a rowdy and appreciative audience.
The event
was a great success, and would not have been possible without our
sponsors and those that gave their time and effort to organize the
event. Also a huge thank-you to the many boats which came to compete.
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