This year's Cong-Galway sailing race, set for Saturday, June 25, will mark two significant anniversaries.
It is 140 years since the inaugural sailing of the race and 50 years since it was revived in its current form. It is the oldest and longest inland sailing race in Europe. It brings together old and new in a unique celebration of history and sailing, which has endeared it to generations of sailors in the West of Ireland and beyond.
"It has been compared to a waterborne Isle of Man TT," according to the organisers, Galway Bay Sailing Club, Galway City Sailing Club, Club Seoltóireacht Húicéirí na Gaillimhe and Cumann Seoltóireachta an Spidéil, "allowing local sailors to compete alongside veterans of top-class international competitions such as the Figaro and the Mini Transat, along a course which has an unsettling ability to throw up new challenges every year."
The fleet is divided into two main groups for the race. The more significant is the dinghy fleet for boats of about 18 feet and under who race using the Portsmouth Yardstick handicapping system. In recent years, there has been a significant revival in the cruiser fleet for larger boats, amongst which the iconic sails of Gleoiteogs from Club Seoltóireacht Húicéirí na Gaillimhe added to the spectacle.
Gleoiteogs from Club Seoltóireacht Húicéirí na Gaillimhe add to the spectacle of the Cong Galway Race
The racing schedule starts after refreshments from the Lodge at Ashford, with boats launched under the watchful eye of beachmaster Tiernan O'Brien of Cumann Seoltóireachta an Spidéil. The sheltered harbour at Lisloughrey gives way to the exposed upper reaches of the lake, where Race Officer Aoife Lyons of Galway Bay Sailing Club will position the official start line and send the sailors on their way. The first leg continues to the pier at Kilbeg, from where ferries once plied their trade transporting goods and passengers across the narrow neck midway down Lough Corrib. The two piers at Kilbeg on the eastern shore near Headford and Knockferry on the western side near Moycullen provide excellent vantage points to see the boats finishing the first leg and jostling for position for the start of the second.
After lunches provided at Kilbeg by Galway City Sailing Club, the helms and crew will need their wits about them for the straits into the lower lake. With barely a boat's length between rocky outcrops, overtaking opportunities are at a premium in the narrow channel south of Kilbeg. The respite of the open waters of the lower lake is often short-lived as the shelter of the river below Bushypark and Glenlo presents a different challenge. Boats are forced to eke out every advantage possible from each zephyr of breeze in what can be a frustrating final stretch to the finish line below Corrib Village.
The fleet is divided into two main groups for the race. The more significant is the dinghy fleet for boats of about 18 feet and under who race using the Portsmouth Yardstick handicapping system
The Quincentennial Bridge provides one last obstacle to finishing at Corrib Rowing and Yachting Club.
Safety Officer Mark Francis of Corrib Rowing and Yachting Club and a large team led by Niall O'Flaherty will ensure the safe running of the race.
There is local interest this year, say the organisers, particularly in whether Yannick Lemonnier can make a winning return to wrest back his crown from locals Rob Talbot and Rian De Bairéad.
Last year, his quest for a four-in-a-row was thwarted when the mast on his Mini 6.50 "Port of Galway" broke in stormy seas when crossing from France for last year's race. However, he won't have an armchair ride this year with some stiff competition amongst the capacity fleet of 40 boats.
The race keeps the traditions of sailing on the lake alive for future generations.
