McSwiggans April League 2006 at Galway Bay Sailing Club
by Dave Vinnell & Aodhán Fitzgerald 28 Apr 2006 02:03 NZST
Perfect conditions after a week of bad weather made for excellent racing in the final race of the McSwiggans April series at Galway Bay Sailing Club. Eleven boats lined up for the last race which made for a very exciting start in the confines of Rinville Harbour.
Tommy Smith's "Catalpa" was forced over the line early by " After Midnight" and had to recross the line. After several close crosses with Glen Cahill's "Joie de Vie" "After Midnight" were first to the windward mark and a rapid spinnak er hoist saw them lead the fleet downwind to the Oranmore mark.
Things remained close however and "Catalpa", That's Life and "Joie De Vie" managed to pass on the next leg to Cockle mark. Reaching Spinnakers were hoisted at Cockle and the fleet screamed down towards the leverets Lighthouse. At the Mutton Mark it was Catalpa followed by "Joie de Vie" and "after midnight".
"After Midnight" However had a twist in their spinnaker which allowed Martin Breen and team on That's Life to establi sh a covering position. "Mac The Knife" and Eamon Conneely's new 1720 "Home Patch" followed closely in 5th and 6th. It was neck and neck all the way to the finish with "Joie de Vie" and "Catalpa" having a tussle all the way to the finish followed 30 seconds later by "That's life", After Midnight" and "mc the Knife". The results when corrected on handicap were even closer with Glen Cahill on"Joie de Vie" earning a well deserved first by 1 second from "That's Life" followed five seconds later by "After Midnight" with "Catalpa" in 4th.
The overall winners on IRC of the series was "After Midnight" with Henry Lupton's "Quelle Surprise " in 2nd and "Catalpa" in 3rd. on Echo "Joie de Vie" took first followed by "After midnight" in second and "Quelle Surprise" in Third.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Fleet | Boat Name | Rating | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | 1ECHO | Joie de Vie | 1.032 | (DNC) | 1 | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| 2 | 1ECHO | After Midnight | 1.086 | 1 | 2 | -7 | 4 | 7 |
| 3 | 1ECHO | Quelle Surprise | 1.006 | 2 | 4 | 4 | -5 | 10 |
| 4 | 2ECHO | Silver Foam | 0.906 | 3 | 3 | 6 | -9 | 12 |
| 5 | 1ECHO | Thats Life | 1.024 | (DNC) | DNC | 1 | 1 | 14 |
| 6 | 1ECHO | Catalpa | 1.124 | 4 | (9.0 DNF) | 5 | 7 | 16 |
| 7 | 1ECHO | MC The Knike | 1.049 | (DNC) | DNC | 2 | 3 | 17 |
| 8 | 1ECHO | Awol | 1.024 | (DNC) | 5 | 8 | 8 | 21 |
| 9 | 2ECHO | Siamsa | 0.982 | (DNC) | 6 | 9 | 11 | 26 |
| 10 | 1ECHO | GBR1725 | 1.086 | (DNC) | 9.0 DNF | DNC | 6 | 27 |
| 11 | 1ECHO | Storm | 1.024 | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | 10 | 34 |
| 1 | 1IRC | After Midnight | 1.025 | 1 | 1 | -4 | 3 | 5 |
| 2 | 1IRC | Quelle Surprise | 0.962 | 2 | 3 | 3 | -7 | 8 |
| 3 | 1IRC | Catalpa | 1.034 | 4 | (9.0 DNF) | 1 | 4 | 9 |
| 4 | 1IRC | Joie de Vie | 1.031 | (DNC) | 2 | 7 | 1 | 10 |
| 5 | 2IRC | Silver Foam | 0.889 | 3 | 4 | 6 | -9 | 13 |
| 6 | 1IRC | Thats Life | 1.024 | (DNC) | DNC | 2 | 2 | 16 |
| 7 | 2IRC | Siamsa | 0.894 | (DNC) | 5 | 8 | 8 | 21 |
| 8 | 1IRC | MC The Knike | 1.049 | (DNC) | DNC | 5 | 5 | 22 |
| 9 | 1IRC | Awol | 1.018 | (DNC) | 6 | 9 | 10 | 25 |
| 10 | 1IRC | GBR1725 | 1.025 | (DNC) | 9.0 DNF | DNC | 6 | 27 |
| 11 | 1IRC | Storm | 1.024 | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | 11 | 35 |