The Munster Mermaid Championships sponsored by Ocean Crest Marine were hosted by Foynes Yacht Club on the Shannon estuary and a spectacular two days racing took place writes Gerry Ryan.
The officer of the day, Alan McEneff had a considerable job in setting the course on Saturday east of Foynes Island, because of the weather conditions that prevailed, with a north-westerly wind and gusting force 4 to 5 with wind shifts, of course this made the task harder.
After a postponement of a brief period the race went ahead. Stiff competition was the order of the day with four boats from Skerries and Rush Sailing Clubs competing. Anthony Carthy, RSC., on Innocence kept up the pace right through the race with Cara II shading it on a few occasions, but in the end Carthy got to the finish line first.
In the second race it was much the same picture with Innocence winning again and FYC boat Three Chevrons comin second, and Frankie Browne Cara II coming in third.
On Sunday, the weather conditions were a little calmer with a force 2-3 breeze, which the competitors did not need to worry about breakages to any of the boats fittings.
In the only race of the day Vincent McCormack won on Three Chevrons with Luke and Roisin McCormack; second was Anthony Carthy on Innocence and third was Enda Weldon on Mayhem.
The overall winner of the Munster Mermaid trophy after three races was Anthony Carthy on Innocence, his crew were Eoin and Alan Butterly. Three Chevrons came second and Cara II third. Claire Lowes, from FYC on Zest finished fourth, which was an excellent result for the Foynes boats.
Saturday, Race 1: 1st Innocence, 188, Anthony Carthy; 2nd Cara II, 135, Frankie Browne; 3rd Three Chevrons, 119, Vincent McCormack.
Saturday, Race 2: 1st Innocence, 188, Anthony Carthy; 2nd Three Chevrons, 119, Vincent McCormack; 3rd place: Cara II, Frankie Browne.
Sunday, Race 1: 1st Three Chevrons, 119, Vincent McCormack; 2nd Innocence, 188, Anthony Carthy; 3rd Mayhem, 190, Enda Weldon.
Overall results: 1st Innocence, 188, Anthony Carthy; 2nd Three Chevrons, 119, Vincent McCormack; 3rd Cara II, 135, Frankie Browne.
The skippers and the crews were happy with the courses set and the hospitality which the club afforded them at Cooleen Point, hopefully, they will return next year for good and fair sailing.
At the presentation of prizes on Sunday, Commodore Tom Murray thanked the Officer of the Day, Alan McEneff in his handling of the championships, and also thanked James McCormack as his assistant, and the rest of the members of the club who assisted in any way with the championships.
Published in Mermaid
Published in
Mermaid
Tagged under
About The Author
Afloat.ie Team
Afloat.ie is Ireland's dedicated marine journalism team.
Have you got a story for our reporters? Email us here.
We've got a favour to ask
More people are reading Afloat.ie than ever thanks to the power of the internet but we're in stormy seas because advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news sites, we haven’t put up a paywall because we want to keep our marine journalism open.
Afloat.ie is Ireland's only full–time marine journalism team and it takes time, money and hard work to produce our content.
So you can see why we need to ask for your help.
If everyone chipped in, we can enhance our coverage and our future would be more secure. You can help us through a small donation. Thank you.
