O’Tiarnaigh Challenge Report
Swords Sailing & Boating Club
O’Tiarnaigh Challenge 14/15 April 2018
The forecast for the O’Tiarnaigh Challenge 2018 was moderate to fresh breeze for the Saturday and strong breeze and up to 30knots of gusts for the Sunday.
OD Peter Smyth at the Saturday morning briefing made the decision to sail all 6 qualifying races instead of the scheduled 4 races on the Saturday.
The fleet of 19 set off in their own fleet starts as Peter got 3 races in before lunch on Saturday with already a few thrills and spills in the growing breeze. The fleet had a quick lunch ashore with warm drinks and rolls provided by Swords. Back on the water to similar winds for the first race but it abated a little giving a more enjoyable final 2 races. The fleet was shore after a long day.
With the 6 races sailed the 4 leaders of each fleet were decided on the Saturday with 3 races scheduled for the Sunday for the final of the O’Tiarnaigh Challenge.
Results
Greystones Shane MacCarthy & Damian Bracken always enjoy the bigger breezes and dominated the 2 days and take another year’s succession of winning the O’Tiarnaigh Trophy.
Second overall were Royal St George’s Ross Killian with crew Ger Owens followed by a great performance and third place for Newtowards SC Josh Porter and Andy Corkhill.
Youghal’s Jack Buttimer & Adam McDonagh topped the bronze fleet finishing a very creditable 6th overall