10th Glandore Classic Regatta at Glandore Harbour Yacht Club

The 10th Glandore Classic Regatta closed on Sunday evening last with a Grand Fireworks Display over the Harbour. This year's regatta was one of the biggest yet with more then 70 vessels in the harbour for racing and for the very popular parade of sail in the harbour on Saturday afternoon. The Regatta, this year sponsored by CH Marine, was officially opened by the sailor and poet Theo Dorgan at a reception on Friday evening, as he opened the regatta he remarked how unusual it was to be opening a Regatta on Friday that started on Tuesday, finished with Prizegiving on Saturday and has the last race on a Sunday. This regatta is held every two years and was first organized by the Glandore Harbour Yacht Club in 1992.

The highlights of the regatta were undoubtedly the beautiful Fife one designs, which were represented in two classes. In the Cork Harbour One Designs, first built in 1896, Querida and Elsie were the stars of the show, putting on a wonderful display of virtual match racing as Elsie harried Querida on the tricky harbour courses. The second Fife class sailing at the regatta was the Conway Fife one designs from the Royal Anglesea Yacht Club these Fife's were designed and built from 1924. This is the third time we have been delighted to welcome the Fifes from Anglesea to the Classic Regatta at Glandore.

There was fleet racing for Cork Harbour Fife One designs, Classic Cruisers, Classic Gaffers, Workboats, Conway Fife's, Dragons, Squibs, Castletownsend Ette's, Hehir Island Sloops, Coleens, Lobsterboats and mixed dayboats. Wednesday conditions were really light, the offshore race for the Cruiser classics, Gaff riggers and Workboats was shortened at High Island, however the harbour fleets enjoyed light and sunny sailing in the harbour. Wednesday evening following sailing the prizegiving was hosted at Casey's bar at the top of the village. This was followed later by an RNLI Pub quiz at the same bar.

Thursday we had a little more wind conditions were warm light though not so sunny. All classes had two races and the Race officer John Wyles set a course to bring the Dragons Fife's and Squibs out to the Club mark at the east end of Rabbit Island. Thursday the Prize giving was at Hayes' bar, later that evening in Hayes' the poet, author and sailor Theo Dorgan did a reading from his works including "Sailing for home", his account of the return passage from Antigua to Kinsale on board Oliver Harte's Spirit of Oysterhaven, and also from "Time on the Ocean" his recent book on a passage around the Cape horn and across the south Atlantic to Cape town. Fridays second race was abandoned as there was no visibility because of heavy rain and mist. The weather improved in the evening and the official opening by Theo Dorgan was followed by a reception for sponsors and sailing, music was provided by the Lane family and later by Jimmy Crowley.

Saturday morning was tricky with the biggest fleet we had seen during the week, over 60 boats racing in the harbour in the biggest wind of the week the view was spectacular!

The Parade of sail went off really well though the wind was on the heavy side. Crane out for travelling boats followed the parade of sail.

Regatta prizegiving took place at the Marine Hotel on Saturday evening this was followed by the Regatta dinner later at the Marine Hotel

Sunday Morning saw another schedule of sailing for the Club fleets. Sunday afternoon events included Coastal rescue service demonstration in the harbour, a rowing race between local Clubs, the launch of a new book on the Galway Cost. The evening finished with a BBQ and music on the square outside Hayes' and the Glandore Inn and the Closing fireworks took place at 11.00pm. All agreed it was one the best Glandore Classic Regattas yet!

Full results on glandoreyc.com/classic/news.htm and regatta pictures at glandoreyc.com/classic/gallery.htm