After a tremendous race last year, despite challenging conditions both on and off the water, another hugely competitive fleet has been assembled for this year’s Cong to Galway sailing race. The historic race from Lisloughrey in the shadow of Ashford Castle to the heart of Galway City has been attracting the cream of sailing talent in the West since 1882. This year’s iteration of the unique and historic event - the oldest and longest inland sailing race in Europe - will take place on Saturday, June 26.
The race is an incomparable blend of old and new. The latest high-performance racing catamarans speed through the narrow and treacherous channel alongside traditional wooden gaff riggers, with last year’s race witnessing the welcome return of Galway Hookers to the race, The Galway Hooker Sailing Club was represented by the gleoiteogs Anam Cara and Asurnaí, both of which were built over 100 years ago.
But the mix of old and new doesn’t stop at the boats. It’s a wonderful opportunity for older competitors to pass on the skills and traditions of the waterways to the next generation. Indeed, it’s been a story of inter-generational success for the past two years with the father and son duo of Yannick and Seán Lemonnier of Galway Bay Sailing Club coming out on top of the main handicapped race. Amongst last year’s larger boats, Cóilín Óg Ó hÍarnáin was first across the finish line in Asurnaí, which has been in the family for over 50 years and was left to him by his godfather.
The race is 30 nautical miles in total, which is split into two legs. The first starts on the Galway / Mayo border and makes its way across the wide expanse of the upper lake. The fleet was buffeted by difficult conditions for this leg last year, with strong and gusty winds and squally rain keeping the crews alert as they struggled to keep the boats upright.
Tricky waterway
The end of the leg at Kilbeg near Headford was a welcome respite for the boats which managed to get that far unscathed. However, the lunchtime reprieve is short-lived as the start line for the second leg leads into the tricky middle section of the waterway. Here, the channel is only three feet deep in places, is often narrower than a single boat length and the unforgiving rocks all around stand ready to ruthlessly punish any errors. The pier at Knockferry, on the Moycullen side of the lake, provides a great vantage point for spectators to view the boats finishing the first leg or starting the second. The start of the second leg is scheduled for about 2pm.
After the narrow channels, the lake opens up again to the east of Moycullen and provides plenty of space for overtaking as boats dash for the river. Inside the shelter of the river, the rush of adrenaline gives way to the frustration of eking out every puff and zephyr to complete the final miles to the finish line.
This stretch also provides some great vantage points for spectators to view the boats with all available canvas hoisted passing Bushypark, Dangan and Menlo Castle. Indeed Menlo Castle was where the great and the good of Victorian society would gather to cheer home the boats in days of yore. But one more obstacle awaits modern competitors which the Victorians didn’t have to worry about - the Quincentennial Bridge. This involves one final capsize for the crews before they can return to the Corrib Rowing and Yachting Club near NUIG for a well-earned rest and the presentation of the historic trophy.
The 2021 Cong-Galway race will take place on June 26th. The Notice of Race is now online: https://www.gbsc.ie/downloads
Bookings are now open using the GBSC booking system: https://bookwhen.com/gbsc-training/e/ev-s6et-20210626000000
Entries are strictly limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
