The WIORA championships concluded with the final two races on Saturday, June 21. On Friday evening, Race Officer (RO) Scorie Walls decided that due to Sunday’s forecast, she would try to run four races on Saturday, June 21, and cancel racing on Sunday, June 22.
The boats set off from their moorings to head out to the race area in beautiful sunshine but very little wind.
The Race Officer hoisted the AP at 11.00 and announced a delay until the wind filled in.
The RO got the race underway at 6 kts, but 10 minutes after Class One started, the wind died and she abandoned the race.
At about 13.00, the sea breeze kicked in and the RO got racing underway. She had advised the fleet that she would start all classes under the U flag as she couldn’t afford further delays if she was to get the 2 WIORA races and the 4 Ruffian races sailed.
The Ruffian WIORA first place went to Ann Kirwan and crew on Bandit
The 22-boat Ruffian 23 class had 3 general recalls before the RO went to black flag starts for the final two races.
Stephen Penny sailing Hot Orange won the Ruffian Nationals, with Robbie Keys sailing Siamsa in second place and Ann Kirwan sailing Bandit in 3rd place.
The Ruffian WIORA first place went to Bandit, second place was Joan Mulloy’s Golden Girl, and third place went to David Quinn’s Lone Star.
WIORA IRC One was won by Rachel Burke's Farr 31 Tribal on nine points, John Collins' GK 34 Ibaraki from Galway was second on 11, and Raymond McGibney's Tommiray third on 18.
WIORA IRC Two was won by Cormac Murphy's Chinook from Tralee Bay Sailing Club entry on eight points. Shane McGibney's Smile finished second on 14 with John Gordon's Fusion third on 19.
The event was superbly run by WIORA and the Mayo Sailing Club, with the support of volunteers and the Race Management team.
In closing, WIORA Commodore Ray McGibney thanked Mayo Sailing Club Commodore Pat Aylward and his team for their hard work and the excellent staging of WIORA 2025. "The unsung heroes of the championship are those who provided the food, drink, cleaners, water taxis, mark layers, committee boat, and back room staff! "
WIORA 2026 will be sailed at Tralee Bay Sailing Club in County Kerry.
