Cumann Séoltóireachta an Spidéil held their regatta on Sunday 21 September. Thirty-seven boats lined up for the event including a substantial travelling contingent from Galway Bay Sailing Club. This was one of the biggest fleets of sailing boats to gather off Spiddal in recent years, a great testament to the success of Cumann Séoltóireachta an Spidéil, which is only five years old.

The Optimist fleet at Spiddal.

The fleet included Optimists, single handed dinghies sailed by children from eight years of age to 14, and a several adult boats including Dart 16 foot catamarans, high performance skiffs – 'Iso's', laser single handed dinghies and 420's one of the most popular youth development boats in the world. At Cumann Séoltóireachta an Spidéil, the club fleet is limited to Optimists and 420s only to focus efforts and to keep everybody on an even keel!

The wind was light which meant racing required a high degree of skill and concentration. The Optimist fleet proved to be highly competitive. Those youngsters, ranging in age from eight to 13, who have had a lot of race experience this year were able to keep good boat speed in the light conditions. In each race the places at the top of the gold fleet was exchanged several times as the races progressed. Over the course of the day each of the three races were won by different sailors.

Within the mixed dinghy fleet racing was also sharp. The strong contingent of Spiddal 420 sailors took advantage of their home-water knowledge. The visiting sailors in Dart 16 catamarans were unable to power up in the light winds and struggled to match the monohulls. Yannick Lemonnier, GBSC Rear Commodore Dinghys, in the ISO skiff provided the substantial challenge from across the bay and won races 2 and 3. When finishing times were corrected for handicaps Yannick had just done enough to stay ahead of the leading 420s, Ruaidhri De Faoite and Stephen O'Gorman.

After the racing was completed the host club provided a welcome barbecue to the competitors and their families. Cumann Séoltóireachta an Spidéil once again excelled with their hospitality.

Paul Murphy, Commodore of Cumann Séoltóireachta an Spidéil (CSS), thanked the volunteers who helped to organise and staff the regatta, lay marks, run the racing, drive the rescue boats and provide the commitee boat. He then proceeded to award the prizes which went to:

Optimist Gold Fleet:

1. Jack Collins(GBSC) 2. Donal Collins (GBSC) 3. Ciaran Jordan (GBSC)

Spiddal Optimists

1. Caitriona Wood 2. Ciaran Murphy 3. Cathal O'Conchur

Optimist Silver Fleet winner:

Roisin Jordan (GBSC)

Spiddal Most Improved Sailor 2008:

Cathal O'Conchur

Spiddal 420s:

1. Ruaidhri De Faoite & Lorcan Colleran 2. Stephen O'Gorman & Ronan O'Gorman 3. Aoife De Faoite & Aoife Keady

Mixed fleet:

1. Yannick Lemonier & Johnny Murphy (GBSC) 2. Ruaidhri De Faoite & Lorcan Colleran (CSS) 3. Stephen O'Gorman & Ronan O'Gorman (CSS)

Comments (0) »

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Title

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment