Six young sailors from GBSC recently competed in the Crosbie Cup at Ree Yacht Club, the second oldest Yacht Club in the world. This is an annual national event where juvenile sailors from all around Ireland gather to race optimist sailing dinghies.

A record 120 participants competed. Weather conditions were almost Mediterranean with beautiful blue skies all weekend. Winds were unusually light but racing in these conditions can be more challenging strategically than the physical sailing on the rolling seas of Galway Bay. Many families camped on the banks of the Shannon for the weekend and some bunked down in Shannon cruisers moored in the marina.

The Regatta Fleet of 60 boats launched very efficiently within ten minutes on Saturday morning and raced within full view of the club house. Most sailors were sporting swim wear and lots of sun cream instead of the usual wet suits and "balaclavas". The racing proved very competitive with Rian Conboy and Jack Lee representing GBSC admirably. Jack was victorious in the third race of the day overtaking the disappointed race leader on the final beat to the finish line.

The main fleet could be seen racing in the distance past the lake islands on Lough Ree. With 60 sails competing for start line positions it proved to be quite a sight. Five races were completed over two days in highly tactical sailing on fresh water in light winds. Ciaran Jordan and Jack Collins from GBSC secured 1st and 2nd prizes in the Junior age group (U12), and 2nd and 3rd places overall. Timothy Starr of Lough Derg Yacht Club was overall winner. Donal Collins and Diarmuid Harvey also proved that the junior section of GBSC is developing a competitive 'Oppy’ fleet as all our sailors came away with at least one top-ten race finish.

Who would have thought that the sea sailors of GBSC would be victorious over the many lake sailors of Lough Derg and Lough Ree?

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