GP14 O'Tiarnaigh Challenge at Swords Sailing & Boating Club
by Laura McFarland 16 Apr 2018 08:38 PDT
14-15 April 2018
GP14 O'Tiarnaigh Challenge at Swords © Patrick Wodhams
The forecast for the O'Tiarnaigh Challenge 2018 was moderate to fresh breeze for the Saturday and strong breeze and up to 30 knots of gusts for the Sunday.
OD Peter Smyth at the Saturday morning briefing made the decision to sail all six qualifying races instead of the scheduled four races on the Saturday.
The fleet of 19 set off in their own fleet starts as Peter got three 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 two races.
With the six races sailed the four leaders of each fleet were decided on the Saturday with three races scheduled for the Sunday for the final of the O'Tiarnaigh Challenge.
Greystone's Shane MacCarthy & Damian Bracken always enjoy the bigger breezes and dominated the two 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 Newtoward's Josh Porter and Andy Corkhill.
Youghal's Jack Buttimer & Adam McDonagh topped the bronze fleet finishing a very creditable sixth overall.