Gordon rewarded for consistency

SailingThe biennial Galway Bay Sailing Championship got under way yesterday after a postponement to racing when light airs and foggy conditions delayed the programme. Just half the anticipated fleet started the event competing in two classes under IRC handicap.

Consistent performances in both classes led John Gordon's X-Rated from Mayo SC to score two wins in Class One. The X332 out-performed Robin Smith on Roxanne, who only managed a second and third. In Class Two, Thomas Surey's Rhocador from the host club matched Gordon by taking bullets in both races.

Just two weeks ago, 38 boats had entered the event but 20 boats started racing yesterday. Clashes between the organisers of the event and the West of Ireland Offshore Racing Association over dates to stage this and the next west coast event in two weeks' time led to a move to the current date.

"After an original clash of dates, GBSC agreed to accommodate WIORA by moving the dates for our event," said event director John Preisler. "There was a mutual agreement by both organisers to encourage boats to travel to each others event but, disappointingly, no entries have arrived from south of Galway this week. However, there will be Galway boats at WIORA."

GALWAY BAY CRUISER CHAMPIONSHIP (inc. North-West of Ireland Offshore Racing Championship, at Oranmore): Overall results after two races: Class 1 IRC 1 X-Rated; 2 Cataipa; 3 Roxanne; 4 Crozz; 5 Now What; 6 Quelle Surprise; Class 2 1 Rhocador; 2 Silver Foam; 3 Back Draft; 4 Starlet; 5 Hallmark; 6 Voyageur; Results subject to protests.