Wayfarer Europeans at Skerries Sailing Club
by Fin Keleher 17 Sep 2008 08:36 BST
12-14 September 2008
Michael McNamara retains European title
Michael McNamara of Norfolk Broads Yacht Club has successfully retained the title of Wayfarer European Champion. Along with crew Oisin Geraghty from Sligo Yacht Club they held the title after three days of extremely close racing at Skerries Sailing Club in Ireland. The top three boats finished on equal points with overall positions being decided on count back. Quentin Strauss and Nigel Young from Upper Thames Sailing Club finished second. Martin Collen and Roland Gadsby also from Upper Thames Sailing Club finished third.
The Irish National Championships were held at the same time, 12-14 September, and the title was won by Dave Kelly and Bernie Grogan of Skerries Sailing Club. Margaret Hynes and Stan Shepherd from Cullaun Sailing Club were second. Cathal Sheridan and David Cooke from Skerries Sailing Club placed third.
Conditions on the Irish Sea made posed some challenges for the Race Officers. Very light winds on Friday saw only half the fleet finishing the first race. A second race started but was abandoned when the wind failed completely.
Saturday started with equally light winds forcing delays. Martin Collen and Roland Gadsby, fearful of drifting away in the tide, made fast behind the committee boat and settled down to enjoy the sunshine. They were soon joined by the majority of the fleet. Around lunchtime the wind filled in and steadily rose to a solid Force Three. The Race Officers and competitors made full use of the conditions completing four races by the day’s end despite a 90 degree wind shift.
Two races were completed on Sunday in a steady Force Four wind. Elizabeth Feibusch and Frances Lilly had an unfortunate capsize in the first Sunday race and to their credit stayed out for the second Sunday race finishing sixth overall. Other incidents included a man overboard by Liam O’Callaghan and a capsize by Cathal Sheridan and David Cooke.
Alan Chaplin deserves mention for his dramatic arrival on Thursday evening. A broken clutch saw his VW camper van being lifted off the ferry in Dublin Port and delivered out to Skerries with “One for the Road” in tow. It didn’t impinge on performance as Alan, crewed by Philip Byton from Shoreham Sailing Club finished fourth overall.
The closeness of the leaders was matched at every level throughout the twenty-three strong fleet with many boats finishing with seconds separating them from their rivals. Congratulations to all competitors.