It was Conor O’Brien of Foynes who said the main purpose of cruising should be to sail to islands. So it’s appropriate that a Foynes Yacht Club cruiser-racer owner, Joe Kiernan, is suggesting that there are enough islands along the Western Seaboard to provide interesting courses for a sort of Race/Rally series to be called the Atlantic Cup, to be undertaken with the blessing of the West of Ireland Offshore Racing Association (WIORA) in August over three weekends starting 24th August.
By that time, he and his family will have sailed their newly-acquired First 44.7 back from The Netherlands to Foynes, and they’ll be looking to demonstrate her pace. For much and all as family cruising is the primary purpose, in times past Joe crewed aboard John Maybury’s champion J/109 Joker II from Dun Laoghaire, and he’s hot to trot.
Hot to trot. The Kiernan family’s newly-acquired First 44.7 sailing in Dutch waters
CLIFFS OF MOHER
That said, in his initial proposals only one island will be involved as a stopover port, at the Aran Islands. Three eminently manageable races are planned for the Atlantic Challenge’s inauguration: 1:Foynes to Fenit; 2:Fenit to Aran Islands; 3:Galway to Kilrush.
The concluding Galway-Shannon Estuary leg is interesting unless an offshore mark such as Inis Oirr is stipulated, for in its suggested form, the course will take the competitors close past Black Head and in along the Cliffs of Moher towards Loop Head - nearly all decidedly steep-to or vertical except around Mutton Island and Quilty and Doonbeg.
As competitors in the Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race have learned, if you sail too close to the steep ocean side of Valentia Island, there are all sorts of wind cushions and a confused backwashed sea if you get near in near the cliffs. But it would certainly add to the sport to allow each crew in the Atlantic Challenge to judge for themselves how much they can cut the corners.
An entertaining bit of coast to race along – the Cliffs of Moher are along the direct track from Galway to Loop Head
INTEREST HIGH IN FOYNES
Interest in Foynes is high, having been shown by Ray McGibney (formerly of the Dehler 101 Disarray) who has bought Joe’s previous boat the Sigma 38 Gambit, as well as Ian Madden with the Elan 40 Elantic, and Derek Dillon with the new Big Deal, a Grand Soleil 37 – the previous Big Deal was a Round Ireland Two-Handed Class winning Dehler 34. As well, “export member” Kenny Cunnane, who keeps his Swan 46 Mynx at Dingle, is in the frame.
Now they’re casting a fly over folks to the north all the way to Sligo and Mullaghmore, and if you’re at all interested, give Joe Kiernan a call on 087-276 8740.
