It was a wonderful weekend of sailing and socialising for those involved in Sailability groups around the country. On Saturday the sunshine and the pleasant Force 2-3 wind gave ideal conditions for competitive sailing among the Sailability fleets. Sunday was one of those days made for chatting and looking forward to the next sail.
The volunteer effort from all groups within and many outside the club made all aspects of the event run with few hitches and when they occurred were accepted by those involved as just the inevitable problems that can be got around. With Dave and Aoife as race officers, a high standard of race management was enjoyed and appreciated by both fleets.
Munster took home the President’s Cup for the third consecutive year, due in no small part to a storming performance by Gina Griffin, winning all three 2.4mR races.
Jack Cunningham and Gerry Drudy winning the Hansa Nationals for Connaught showed just how much a young sailor can improve and be inspired by a veteran dinghy sailor.
Other GBSC boats and crews performed well though not always for Connaught! One of the Martins 16's sailed for Ulster and the Sports 16 for Leinster. Two Sailability crew sailed for Leinster, allowing sailors who might not have sailed the chance to race on Galway Bay.
Best Double-Disabled crew prize went to Kinsale’s Cara O’Sullivan & Ruairi Devlin, two young sailors to watch out for next year. Alina Clarke & Grace Barker brought the silver back to Dun Laoghaire, winning the Star Sailor award. And we were really delighted to welcome Foyle Sailability to Galway this year, their obvious enthusiasm further stoked by a Best Newcomers Award.
Finally, a very special prize was announced, recognising the huge contribution made nationally over many years by Kinsale’s Donal Hickey. Donal was clearly moved to receive this Spirit of Sailability (SOS) trophy, a beautiful wooden model of the Hansa 303 crafted by GBSC sailor, this year's Hansa Nationals winner Jack Cunningham.
Click here for the Afloat article on the event.
For results click here: President's Cup and Hansa.
Please visit the Gallery section for some great photos of the event. Thanks to all who contributed. If you have some photos to add, please use the link at https://www.gbsc.ie/presidents2018.
Selected feedback on the event:
Eddie, Galway
On behalf of Dunlaoghaire Sailability I would like to thank you very sincerely for the wonderful event which you played such a large part in organising last weekend. Our sailors thoroughly enjoyed themselves from start to finish despite the fact that we didn’t bring home much silverware!The entire weekend was run with incredible efficiency and I was so impressed by the level of cooperation and assistance which your many wonderful volunteers provided both onshore and on the water. Please pass on our sincere thanks to all involved. Ruth, Dun Laoghaire
When we first hosted the Hansa Nationals in 2014, visiting teams were blown away by the level of volunteerism at GBSC, the huge interest and support exhibited by the whole membership, and the wonderful welcome extended to our visitors. The overwhelming feedback was that we had raised the bar for inclusion. Four years on, and with the addition of the Presidents Cup to the programme, that vibe is undiminished. It is wonderful to feel the whole club get behind events like this, and to see that machine of unselfish volunteerism click into action. That has been the ethos at GBSC for as long as I've been a member, and I couldn't be more proud of this club. Thanks to all of you, and especially to all the younger sailors who brought their own cheerful energy to this event. Declan, Galway
I’m sure I speak on behalf of all the volunteers when I say - thank you to the organising committee for giving us the opportunity to take part in this great event & making us feel special with T-shirt’s, lunch bags etc. it was a pleasure & a privilege to witness the fabulous sailing skills, can do attitude & camaraderie on display on the water yesterday. C u all soon on the water. AÃne, Galway
A big thank you to all our Sailability team and volunteers for making the weekend a great success.All the visiting teams were delighted with the event and all send their thanks to everyone. Liz, Organising committee, GBSC
In particular I would like to pay special tribute to all of our Junior Volunteers, who worked so hard prior to and during the event and did so with smiles on their faces. Thanks to each and everyone of you. Lorraine, Organising committee, GBSC
Guys. Just reflecting here on the weekend and I can’t help but smile when I think about it and I will for some time to come. Thank you doesn’t do it justice but THANK YOU! Gary, Galway
Owwwwwwww ... Woof woof! Chester, Galway
President’s Cup
1st Place Munster
Hansa : Maebh Aherne & Judy Moynihan
2.4mR: Gina Griffin
Hawk : Sharon, Thomas & Mandy Hosford
Squibb : Kevin Downing, John Stanley, Eric Milch
Hansa Nationals
1st Connacht - Jack Cunningham & Gerry Drudy
2nd Munster - Maebh Aherne & Judy Moynihan
3rd Leinster – Shane Barker & Adam Barker
Hansa Double disabled winners: Munster : Cara O’Sullivan & Ruairi Devlin
Best Newcomers: Foyle Sailability Club
Star Sailors: Alina Clarke & Grace Barker
Spirit of Sailability Award: Donal Hickey, Kinsale Yacht Club