WIORA Fleet Duels In Close Quarters

25th July 2015

#WIORA - Following Wednesday's wild offshore spin, competition for places in WIORA was heating up yesterday (Friday 24 July), with a number of close-quarters incidents despite the size of Galway Bay, writes Jim Grealish.

In class 2, WIORA Commodore Simon McGibney hurt his arm while attempting to keep control in a tacking event duel with blustery winds.

Tribal had a surprise when another bird landed on deck. However, the 'goose' ambled aft along the deck to share with skipper Liam Burke's hard boiled egg for lunch.

Meanwhile, the Sigmer 33 Trayona from Tralee Bay Sailing Club was pushing for place in Class 2, ably assisted by Dis-A-Ray from Foynes YC. And in Class 3, Leonidas of Cliften Boat Club was flying the flags for the far west.

Winds took a while to settle Friday, with OD Alan Crosbie having to postpone with wind shifts coming within minutes of first gun.

Hot competition in class 1 was down to the wire for the final results - and only today's races would settle the score.

Local GBSC skipper Glen Cahill of Joie de Voie was hot on the tail of NowWhat, the defending champion from the Westport event last year.

Crozz of Mayo Sailing Club pulled a great win on Friday with Gerry Daly having the crew on the right side of a wind shift, first over the line in Class 2.

What's more, redress was being requested again this morning following protest committee meetings yesterday, with Dis-a-Ray feeling more was due to them after their accident in Race 5 - two minutes of time were given for their trouble.

Published in WIORA

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MacDara Conroy

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MacDara Conroy is a contributor covering all things on the water, from boating and wildlife to science and business

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