#SOD - The Shannon One Design Association (SODA) has announced its latest Long Distance Race for the weekend of Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 June.
First raced in 1953, the Shannon One Design (SOD) competition is the longest inland dinghy sailing race in these islands.
And it’s a challenging one at that, with crews counting tacks often into the thousands while jockeying for position down a narrow river given to serious south-westerlies, though a northerly breeze can make for enjoyable downwind racing.
Either way, the race remains physically and mentally demanding over the two days, says SODA chairman John Leech, whose own mother crewed the race’s winning SOD in its inaugural outing, topping it with a win in her own right in the race's second year.
Race officer Edwin Hunter, who celebrates his 50th year in charge of proceedings, is also making it a family affair as his son and assistant David will take over his duties from 2018 onwards.
The race starts in Lough Ree Yacht Club on the Saturday, with the first leg taking the fleet to Athlone Lock.
From there the race continues to Clonmacnoise (leg 2) for lunch, Shannon Bridge (leg 3) and Banagher (leg 4), then resumes Sunday to Meelick Lock (leg 5) before finishing in Portumna (leg 6).
Leech expects a sizeable fleet of up to 50 boats this year and late entries are still welcome — anyone interested in taking part should contact the SODA Honorary Secretary at [email protected] for details.
