McSwiggans April League 2006 at Galway Bay Sailing Club

by Dave Vinnell & Aodhán Fitzgerald 27 Apr 2006 15:03 BST

Perfect conditions after a week of bad weather made for excellent racing in the final race of the McSwiggans April series at Galway Bay Sailing Club. Eleven boats lined up for the last race which made for a very exciting start in the confines of Rinville Harbour.

Tommy Smith's "Catalpa" was forced over the line early by " After Midnight" and had to recross the line. After several close crosses with Glen Cahill's "Joie de Vie" "After Midnight" were first to the windward mark and a rapid spinnak er hoist saw them lead the fleet downwind to the Oranmore mark.

Things remained close however and "Catalpa", That's Life and "Joie De Vie" managed to pass on the next leg to Cockle mark. Reaching Spinnakers were hoisted at Cockle and the fleet screamed down towards the leverets Lighthouse. At the Mutton Mark it was Catalpa followed by "Joie de Vie" and "after midnight".

"After Midnight" However had a twist in their spinnaker which allowed Martin Breen and team on That's Life to establi sh a covering position. "Mac The Knife" and Eamon Conneely's new 1720 "Home Patch" followed closely in 5th and 6th. It was neck and neck all the way to the finish with "Joie de Vie" and "Catalpa" having a tussle all the way to the finish followed 30 seconds later by "That's life", After Midnight" and "mc the Knife". The results when corrected on handicap were even closer with Glen Cahill on"Joie de Vie" earning a well deserved first by 1 second from "That's Life" followed five seconds later by "After Midnight" with "Catalpa" in 4th.

The overall winners on IRC of the series was "After Midnight" with Henry Lupton's "Quelle Surprise " in 2nd and "Catalpa" in 3rd. on Echo "Joie de Vie" took first followed by "After midnight" in second and "Quelle Surprise" in Third.

Overall Results:

Pos	Fleet	Boat Name	Rating	R1	R2	R3	R4	Pts
1	1ECHO	Joie de Vie	1.032	(DNC)	1	3	2	6
2	1ECHO	After Midnight	1.086	1	2	-7	4	7
3	1ECHO	Quelle Surprise	1.006	2	4	4	-5	10
4	2ECHO	Silver Foam	0.906	3	3	6	-9	12
5	1ECHO	Thats Life	1.024	(DNC)	DNC	1	1	14
6	1ECHO	Catalpa	1.124	4	(9.0 DNF)	5	7	16
7	1ECHO	MC The Knike	1.049	(DNC)	DNC	2	3	17
8	1ECHO	Awol	1.024	(DNC)	5	8	8	21
9	2ECHO	Siamsa	0.982	(DNC)	6	9	11	26
10	1ECHO	GBR1725	1.086	(DNC)	9.0 DNF	DNC	6	27
11	1ECHO	Storm	1.024	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	10	34
1	1IRC	After Midnight	1.025	1	1	-4	3	5
2	1IRC	Quelle Surprise	0.962	2	3	3	-7	8
3	1IRC	Catalpa	1.034	4	(9.0 DNF)	1	4	9
4	1IRC	Joie de Vie	1.031	(DNC)	2	7	1	10
5	2IRC	Silver Foam	0.889	3	4	6	-9	13
6	1IRC	Thats Life	1.024	(DNC)	DNC	2	2	16
7	2IRC	Siamsa	0.894	(DNC)	5	8	8	21
8	1IRC	MC The Knike	1.049	(DNC)	DNC	5	5	22
9	1IRC	Awol	1.018	(DNC)	6	9	10	25
10	1IRC	GBR1725	1.025	(DNC)	9.0 DNF	DNC	6	27
11	1IRC	Storm	1.024	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	11	35