The inaugural Midsummer Twilight Regatta ran from 12th to 14th June, sponsored by Newlyn Developments, developers of the Wyvern complex in the town centre, and local supplier Festa Foods.
Racing started every evening at 19.00 hours, and with the wind fading away each evening, Race Officer Richard Graves faced a difficult task running racing for the 15 boats competing. However the full programme of 6 races was sailed. Friday the 13th proved lucky for Bray Sailing Club, as a crew from RTE filmed the racing.
Thomas Hill proved that Bray-trained sailing instructors can also race, with a convincing demonstration of four firsts and a second. Lorcan Pratt and David Burke each won a race.
Ex-Commodore Simon Parker, sailing one of the club's fleet of Pico's ( a junior training boat) gave the younger competitors a lesson in enthusiasm. On Saturday he raced his trimaran in a long-distance cruiser race, then after 6 hours sailing, changed into his wet-suit and came out to sail in the dinghy event . He finished a well deserved fourth.
In the competition for crewed boats Conor Leonard, crewed by Terry Philips, won, sailing a Flying Fifteen. Steve Chadwick was the unluckiest competitor, who looked destined to triumph having already won three races, until his crew (who shall remain nameless) failed to turn up on Saturday evening.
Results:
Single-handed
1st Tom Hill, Laser Full Rig, 6points
2nd David Burke, Laser Radial, 11 points
3rd Sean Flanagan Laser Full Rig 13 points
Crewed boats
1st Conor Leonard and Terry Philips, Flying Fifteen, 10 points
2nd Ray Comiskey and Barry Groves, Flying Fifteen 11 points
