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2024 Wayfarer Irish National and Cullaun regatta. Report Margaret Hynes

Last Weekend Cullaun Sailing Club welcomed boats from Greystones, Dunlaoighre and East Down Yacht clubs to compete in the  2024 Wayfarer Irish National and Cullaun regatta

Big winds were the order of the day with average mean wind of 18knots, gusts of 20+ on Saturday Sundays wind felt stronger than wind of 16 knots on Sunday. 8 of the 17 entries were Wayfarers.

4 races were ran on Saturday featuring yours truly capsizing with Spinnaker, hitting a race mark and struggling to keep up with the leader on Saturday Gordon Jess and Rachel Bevan , EDYC. Chris and Andrew Caher CSC showed their style at the top of the fleet , with Jim O Sullivan and Kevin Donlon CSC also heading the fleet, both in Plus S boats.

Tired sore bodies were slow to launch on Sunday with forecast of gust in the  high 20,s. OOD Dave and crew Tommy checking wind speeds only recorded highs of 19.5 knots so the course was set for three races. The first race took out leader Gordon and Rachel when a very strong gust recorded. The battle on Sunday was between three Cullaun boats , which lasted until the final race when Margaret Hynes and Mike Hayes, pipped Chris and Andrew Caher winning by one point. Jim O Sullivan and Kevin Donlon were third.

George Fitzgerald and Frank were 4th in their GP 14, fresh from their recent training session in Cullaun for bronze fleet sailors.

Maebh Hawkins and Ingrid Biesty were first juniors and congratulations to all juniors who took part.

EDYC made a special presentation to Cullaun SC of a trophy on honour of our recently deceased member and Wayfarer sailor Emmet O Mahony. He had a heart of gold, died of a heart condition and the trophy will be presented to a club member who has contributed to the club in the same spirit of generosity that Emmet lived. Emmet crewed for me in the Worlds in Weymouth.

Thanks to OOD, Dave Mullaly (Killaoe Sailing Club), rescue boat crew and shore party who fed us all when we arrived safely ashore.

A great weekend was had by all, thanks to all our visitors and we look forward to welcoming you to our special club in the Mid west of Ireland.

Thanks to my hardworking crew, Mike Hayes, without whom we would not have won!  

Regards

Margaret W10826

Full set of pictures to follow over the next few days