A Catapult Catamaran sailed by Gary Mangan took first place in the dinghy class in this year’s Cong-Galway race across Lough Corrib and down the river into the city.
A 420 helmed by Cumann Seoltóireachta an Spidéil’s (CSS) Rob Talbot and Cian de Bairéad took second place in the dinghies, and Galway Bay Sailing Club’s Andy Flanagan and Astrid Comerford came in third in their Dart 16.
A fleet of around 40 boats and three Galway hookers set sail from Lisloughrey pier yesterday morning on the first leg of the 30 nautical mile course, which follows the old steamer route across the lake and into the city and dates back to 1882.
In the cruiser class, first place was recorded by Port of Galway Sea Scouts in a Hawk 20 sailed by David Schirliu, Daniel Concannon, Aaron Fahy and Lorcan Cannon.
Members of the Galway Hooker Sailing Club took second place in their vessel helmed by Ciaran Oliver with Maria Buckley, Michelle Oliver, Mary Cunningham and Clodagh Durkan.
Billed as Europe’s oldest and longest dinghy sailing race, the Cong-Galway involves a first leg from Lisloughrey to Kilbeg pier, where competitors can take a lunch break.
The second leg introduces a narrower channel in the lower lake, leading participants towards the river, with the finish line at Corrib village on the University of Galway campus. This involves boats manoeuvring their masts under the Quincentennial Bridge before reaching the Corrib Rowing and Yachting Club upriver from the city’s Woodquay for the trophy presentation.
The collaborative effort involves a large number of volunteers and safety vessels organised by five clubs—Galway Bay Sailing Club, Galway City Sailing Club, Galway Hooker Sailing Club, Corrib Rowing & Yachting Club and Cumann Seoltóireacht an Spidéil (Spiddal Sailing Club).
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