Irish Catamaran Inlands at Blessington Sailing Club

28th & 29th July

A format has built up over recent years at Cat events where there is camping in the grounds of the host club. Places like Galway, Lough Erne, Lough Derg, and the most recent event, Blessington. Like Puck Fair, Friday afternoon and evening is “the Gathering”, Saturday night is “THE PARTY”, and Sunday evening “the Scattering”. Somewhere in between is usually some great craic and very competitive racing. This year the weather really came right for the Inland Championships at Blessington S.C. “Tent City” was packed with sailors and their families. Columns of smoke rising from the many barbeques.

At midday on Saturday there was not a breath of air on the lake, a day of sunbathing seemed on the cards for the crews of the 35 cats sitting on the beach. ( 13 Dart 18s, 10 Hurricane 5.9s, 6 Formula 18s, 3 Dart 16s, 1 Spitfire, 1 Hobie 18 and 1 Hobie 16 ). By 2.00pm a force 2/3 breeze had filled in with the prospect of some good racing.

In Race 1, the Tiger of Rob Doyle & Rob Gill was first on the water, but the Spitfire of Neil Mangan & A J Lawrence took the race on time, The Hawk of Dermot Mangan & Niamh Hogan was third.

The Spitfire took line honours in Race 2, with “The Robs” second, and the Hawk of Dermot McHugh & Julie McGuire, third.

The traditional bus trip to the Ballyknockan Inn on Saturday night was its usual success, say no more.

Sunday morning, the weather was duller and easier on the sore heads, but the wind was a stronger force four.

In Race 3, Cathy MacAleavey & Con Murphy, in a Hurricane 5.9, had an uncharacteristic capsize while battling for the lead with the Robs, who went on to win, Dermot McHugh was second with the Tiger of Jimmy Nyhan & Maritta Buwalda third. The Spitfire was down in fourth.

It was down to Race four. The Robs took the lead, and by the last beat had opened a good enough gap on the Spitfire, lying in second, to take the race on the water and on handicap. The points were level but the Robs took the trophy by winning the last race.

Overall Results:

Record Numbers are expected for the next event, the National championships at Strangford Lough 1st/ 2nd September, where the fleets will have separate starts.