Challenging weather tested the skills of sailors who took to the water in Galway Bay for the Cumann Seoltóireachta an Spidéil (CSS) annual regatta on Sunday, Oct 16.
The forecast for fresh to strong south-easterly winds restricted regatta entries to the mixed fleet of 420, Laser, Pico and Topaz dinghies, as conditions were deemed too difficult for the Optimist fleet.
Four 420 crews, one Laser and two Topaz crews competed in two races on a course set with race officer Stephen O’Gorman and commodore Eoin Ó Conghaíle.
It had been hoped to run three races, but the freshening winds and gathering swell forced an early finish on safety grounds.
First 420 and overall winners were Mark and Denise de Faoite of CSS, with fellow club members and under-18 420 sailors Charlie Donald and James Harvey coming a close second.
The sole visiting crew - Ava McCarthy and James Malone of Galway City Sailing Club- came third in the 420 class, and third overall.
CSS under-18 420 sailors Catherine Harvey and Sadhbh Laila Riggott performed well in the heavy conditions, coming fourth overall.
CSS sailor Tomás O Culáin was first in the Laser class, and fifth overall, while Katie Gaynor and Catriona Kearns, also of CSS, were first in the Pico/ Topaz Uno fleet and sixth overall.
Awards were given to Kate Ní Chonghaíle (CSS), sailing solo in the Topaz, and to CSS Pico sailors Sarah Donald and Rory McHale, and Éabha Mae and Liam Simon Riggott.
The committee boat had advised the Pico sailors not to launch when weather began to deteriorate as they prepared to leave the Sean Céibh beach.
It is hoped to run a regatta for Picos and for Optimists within the next week to fortnight, if weather permits.
The John and Stephanie Hannan Award, which was commissioned by Cumann Seoltóireachta an Spidéil (CSS) in 2020 as an annual prize in memory of the late John Hannan, will be given at the end of the season.