Yacht racing event in west will go ahead despite oil spill at Foynes

The West of Ireland offshore races will go ahead next week despite an oil spill in the Shannon Estuary near Foynes, one of the…

The West of Ireland offshore races will go ahead next week despite an oil spill in the Shannon Estuary near Foynes, one of the locations for the event.

A spokesperson for the West of Ireland Offshore Racing Association (WIORA) said that the oil spillage had caused only a slight alteration to their schedule. The half day of races scheduled for Foynes has been cancelled. However, all other races will go ahead, and the organisers expect 50 crews and their families from along the west coast to take part.

The four-day "WIORA Week" takes place from June 26th to 29th and is being hosted by the Western Yacht Club at Kilrush Marina in Co Clare.

Kilrush Marina, which has 120 fully serviced pontoon berths, is providing free berthing for competitors over the duration of the event.

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"Everyone here, in the community, the business sector and the marina, is putting in a great effort to make it a very special week," said Mr Tom Whelan, secretary of the Western Yacht Club.

"It's great to be welcoming colleagues from up and down the coast and I'm confident they'll have a great time both on land and at sea in west Clare," he added.

Foynes Yacht Club claims that an oil spill from the Nassau-registered Clipper Cheyenne on June 3rd seeped into the marina and caused oil damage to boats both inside and outside the marina. The vessel capsized during ballasting before taking on board a dredger and is now at the bottom of the estuary. It is hoped to refloat it on a spring tide on Sunday.