'Wannago' Leads in Foynes After Four Races

5th August 2010

Skerries sailor Jim Dempsey, sailing his clubmate Paul Winters' Wannago, totally dominated today's Race 4 at Mermaid Week in Foynes. He led the 30 boat fleet the whole way around, with a constant battle and place swapping for 2nd place between last year's winner Paddy Dillon (Wild Wind) and his former skipper Jim Carthy (Vee), both from Rush. There were battles further down the fleet as well, with uncle and nephew James and Mark McCormack of Foynes constantly swapping places.
Conditions were lively, with 22 knots of breeze from the NNW at times. Spinnaker handling skills were tested and a number of crews went for a swim as the spinnakers took the boats over in
the gusts. One of those was Frankie Browne in his recently restored Cara II. He recovered well, bailed the boat and fought his way back up the fleet, picking off two boats on the finish line.
Race 5 tomorrow is at 16:00, after which the discard applies. 33 boats are competing and racing concludes on Friday.
You can follow all the action live on the Live Commentary blog, with real time photos from the Committee Boat and Race Office: http://www.dublinbaymermaid.org/foynes2010/index_files/Commentary.htm
Race 4: 1st Wannago, 2nd Vee, 3rd Wild Wind, 4th Innocence, 5th Zuleika, 6th Tiller Girl, 7th The Message, 8th Thumbalina, 9th Helen and 10th Fugitive. 3 boats DNS, 3 boats RTD.

Overall after Race 4: 1st Wannago, 2nd Wild Wind, 3rd Vee, 4th Innocence, 5th Dolphin, 6th Jill, 7th Lively Lady, 8th Cara II, 9th Fugitive, 10th Zuleika.

Daphne Fleet Overall after Race 4: 1st Lively Lady, 2nd Thumbalina, 3rd Swallow
Designer Fleet Overall after Race 4: 1st Hycilla, 2nd Clare, 3rd Syrena
Munster Fleet Overall after Race 4: 1st Hycilla, 2nd Argo, 3rd Three Chevrons

Published in Shannon Estuary

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Shannon Foynes Port Information

Shannon Foynes Port (SFPC) are investing in an unprecedented expansion at its general cargo terminal, Foynes, adding over two-thirds the size of its existing area. In the latest phase of a €64 million investment programme, SFPC is investing over €20 million in enabling works alone to convert 83 acres on the east side of the existing port into a landbank for marine-related industry, port-centric logistics and associated infrastructure. The project, which will be developed on a phased basis over the next five years, will require the biggest infrastructure works programme ever undertaken at the port, with the entire 83 acre landbank having to be raised by 4.4 metres. The programme will also require the provision of new internal roads and multiple bridge access as well as roundabout access.