Hard work pays off at Clifden Regatta 2009

2nd September 2009

After hosting the West Coast Championships for two consecutive years, Clifden Boat Club were well prepared for their 2009 local regatta on the 8th and 9th of August. The organising team worked hard in the months coming up to the event to ensure that this somewhat smaller event was still run with the same precision and high standard that they had set for themselves. Even in times of financial difficulty, there was great support for this event from the businesses of Clifden town, and for this, both the Clifden Boat Club and the event’s competitors are truly greatful.

Jackie Ward and Crew of Hallmark – Overall Winner of Clifden Regatta 2009. Left to right: Tom Davis, Ian Shanahan, Damian Ward, Jackie Ward, Barry Ward and Mike Coohill. Not pictured is Mike Davis.

Bobbi O Regan, Clifden Boat Club Hon Secretary, reports that Galway Bay Sailing Club was well represented, with twelve of the fleet of 22 yachts racing in Clifden Bay for the weekend. Crews also travelled from Mayo, Foynes and Kilrush to take part. The fleet was split into two classes and were scheduled to compete in four races over the two days. With Galway Bay Sailing Clubs' Dave Vinnell heading the Race Committee, racing commenced as scheduled and four races were managed, with winds varying from very light breeze and sunshine on Saturday to rather heavy winds on Sunday – made for an interesting coastal race, which saw the fleets racing around the picturesque Crough Island and High Island.

Left: Hallmark doing that winning thing

Winds were high but so were spirits, as the final prize giving kicked off in the Clifden Boat Club House. Galway Bay Sailing Clubs’ Optique triumphed overall in Echo, taking home the Perpetual Kingstown Cup’and Clifden's own Hallmark, skippered by Jackie Ward and his crew, came out on top, winning the overall on IRC and leaving with the infamous Clifden Cup. Well done to all that took part in the event.

Detailed results can be found here

Published in Racing

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