A Dublin/Cork crew has become the lastest sailors to win the annual Cong-Galway race on Lough Corrib.
Celebrating this 139th year of this famous event, Alex Barry, Sandy Rimmington and Ken Murphy from Monkstown Bay Sailing Club and Royal Cork Yacht Club took the line honours in a National 18, and also won on corrected time.
Tim and Cormac Breen from Galway Bay Sailing Club followed not far behind, while third over the line was an RS200 sailed by Alex and Martin Roe from Galway City Sailing Club. In the cruiser fleet, Conor and Cian Baynes in a Manta 19 were first, followed by Conor Little and Orla Bergin, also in a Manta 19.
Last year’s winners Rob Talbot and Riande Bareid of Cumann Seoltóireachta an Spidéil were second on corrected time in a 420, while there was a dead heat for third between Isabella and Pat Irwin (GBSC ) in a Stratos, and Gareth, Jenny and Owen Roe (GCSC ) in a Wayfarer.
This much anticipated yearly event, organised by the five Galway sailing clubs - Corrib Rowing & Yachting Club, Galway Bay Sailing Club, Galway City Sailing Club, Club Seoltóireacht Húicéirí na Gaillimhe, and Cumann Seoltóireachta an Spidéil - had been cancelled in June due to poor weather conditions. However on Sunday the weather was ideal for the sailors, who departed Lisloughrey pier fueled by coffee and croissants provided by Lodge at Ashford, which along with McHugh Property Holdings, were this year’s race sponsors.
Unfortunately due to light airs, the traditional Galway Hooker fleet bowed out, along with some of the Dart fleet, but some 25 boats made the most of the less than ideal conditions of light southerly winds as they headed towards the gap between Inchagoill and Inishannagh. The fleet spread out early with F18 and National 18s well out in front of the next bunch of Wayfarer, RS200, Stratos and 420s - the remainder of the fleet were some way back.
In the face of slow progress, the race committee shortened the course with the race finish off Inchaquinn, almost halfway along the first leg to Kilbeg. It ensured most of the fleet finished within the time limit, while 17 of the 25 starters finished within 70 minutes of the leading boat.
Full results are availale at https://www.sailwave.com/results/GBSC/conggalway2022.
