Last weekend, the 8th and 9th of August, saw Rush Sailing Club host their annual regatta event. With glorious sunshine and a steady breeze on both days it was a huge success with 13 Mermaids competing in a total of 5 races along with lasers and toppers. First place overall in the Mermaid fleet went to Brian Mc Nally on 186, Gentoo from Skerries Sailing Club with his crew Valerie Cronin and Ross Galbraith. Second place was Paddy Dillon on 131 Wild Wind from Rush Sailing Club with his crew Johnny and Mo Dillon and third place overall went the Darragh Mc Cormack on 188 Innocence from Foynes Yacht Club with his crew Tadhg O’Loingsigh and Brian Fox. It was very close and competitive racing with everyone in great form and happy to be out on the water, there seemed to be less shouting than usual (for the most part!) and more smiles, waving and joking!
Image 1: Overall winner Brian McNally from Skerries SC with the winning Mermaid 186 Gentoo and crew Valerie Cronin and Ross Galbraith.
Due to COVID the first 3 scheduled events for the Mermaid fleet this year were cancelled (Munster Championship, Leinster Championship & Skerries Regatta) as well as the 2020 National Championship due to be held in Fenit this August. The only remaining fixture was Rush Regatta so it was a huge boost to get the event in and see such a strong turnout with 13 boats. With strict social distancing and safety measures in place at the newly refurbished and extended clubhouse there were many comments on how well the event was run with crews staying to their boats and ‘pods’. Huge credit must be given to all the team and volunteers at Rush Sailing Club who put in phenomenal effort to get the refurbishment and safety measures in place and make the event happen.
Image 2: Second place went to Paddy Dillon on 131 Wild Wind from Rush SC with crew Johnny and Mo Dillon.
Credit due to Race Officer Liam Dinneen and his team who ran 5 excellent races in difficult conditions with a strong tide, and a dropping breeze at times, a number of races were shortened to ensure all races were completed. After racing on the Saturday a BBQ was held with plenty of outdoor seating. Following on from the success of this event, Skerries Sailing Club have now rescheduled their own Regatta, originally due to take place in June, the new dates for Skerries Regatta 2020 have now been set as the 22nd and 23rd of August and, while open to a number of classes, it is hoped to see a strong turn out from the Mermaid fleet again for what will be their last event of 2020.
Image 3: Third place went to Darragh Mc Cormack on 188 Innocence from Foynes Yacht Club with crew Tadhg O’Loinsigh and Brian Fox.
Image 4: Mermaid Winner of Rush Regatta 2020 – 186 Gentoo, Brian McNally Skerries SC
Image 5: Aerial drone image of the Mermaid fleet on the way back to Rush Sailing Club after a great day’s racing. Image courtesy and copyright of Instagram account sky_logix (https://www.instagram.com/sky_logix/).